1981 American Soccer League

League standings

G W T L GF GA PTS Liberty Conference New York United 28 19 4 5 53 28 154 Pennsylvania Stoners 28 17 7 4 51 28 146 New York Eagles 28 13 2 13 57 49 116 New England Sharks 28 4 0 24 16 41 35 Freedom Conference Carolina Lightnin' 28 16 3 9 46 31 127 Detroit Express 28 15 2 11 58 46 125 Rochester Flash 28 11 5 12 38 51 100 Cleveland Cobras 28 5 1 22 33 78 56 1st Round Detroit defeated New York Eagles, 4-1 Carolina defeated Rochester, 2-0 Semi-Finals: Carolina defeated Pennsylvania, 3-1, 1-2 New York United defeated Detroit, 1-1, 2-1 CHAMPIONSHIP: Carolina defeated New York United, 2-1.