In 1966, several groups of entrepreneurs were exploring the idea of forming a professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney and his brother John were awarded the rights to the Philadelphia franchise.

[5] The team finished the season in second place of the Eastern Division, missing first on goal difference to the Baltimore Bays, with a record of fourteen wins, nine loses and nine draws and an average attendance of 5,261.

Having incurred losses of $500,000, club president John Rooney announced the team was discontinuing operations.

[8] Many Spartans players—including Ruben Navarro, John Best, and Peter Short—were signed by the Cleveland Stokers for the 1968 NASL season.