It was the final match of the 1983 North American Soccer League playoffs and was contested by the Tulsa Roughnecks and the Toronto Blizzard at the Stadium at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia.

By virtue of their two games to one victory In the semifinals against the Montreal Manic, the Roughnecks advanced to the Soccer Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

The Blizzard pulled off a second upset in their semifinal match-up by sweeping the Golden Bay Earthquakes in two games, and earning their second ever trip to the Soccer Bowl.

Toronto team president Clive Toye felt that bending the rules for a star player might set a bad precedent, but was nevertheless prepared to face whatever lineup Tulsa put on the pitch.

[3][4] 1983 NASL Champions: Tulsa Roughnecks Soccer Bowl MVP: Njego Pesa Assistant referees: Howard Krollfeifer Gary Shugarts Fourth official: Dave Roach Reserve referee: Bill Maxwell Television: Budwieser Network (syndicated) Announcers: Bob Carpenter, Gordon BradleyTouchline reporter: Al Miller