Bruce Wilson


One of the finest defenders to ever play in the NASL, Bruce began his career with the Vancouver Whitecaps when the club was formed in 1974 and remained with them for four seasons before being traded to Chicago Sting.

Personal Information

Class of 2000

Born: June 20, 1951 - Vancouver, BC

Position: Defender
Int'l Caps: 57 Int'l Goals: 0

After two seasons in Chicago, he went to New York Cosmos for one season before ending his career after four seasons with Toronto Blizzard. Captain of Canada's International Team in the 1986 World Cup Finals, Wilson played 51 times for his country. That figure would have been much higher had the Cosmos released him to play in the 1982 World Cup qualifying rounds instead of going with them on tour for a series of exhibition games. Wilson also played for Canada in the 1984 Olympic Games and captained Toronto Blizzard in Soccer Bowl '83 and the NASL Championship Games of 1984. Only one other man - Canadian National Team player Bobby Lenarduzzi - played in more NASL games than Wilson. One of the finest left backs in the game, Wilson turned down an offer to join the English League club, Everton, early in his career. Wilson was an NASL All-Star six times, three of those were first team selections (1977 Vancouver, 1979 Chicago, and 1984 Toronto).  He was a NASL North American All-Star in 1979, '82, '83, and '84. He was a member of the squad when New York won the NASL Championship in 1980, and was Runner-Up in both 1983 and 1984 with Toronto. He was the lone Canadian player elected to the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) "Team of the Century".

North American Soccer League Statistics

Year Team Games Goals Assists Points
1974 Vancouver Whitecaps 20 1 1 3
1975 Vancouver Whitecaps 22 2 4 8
1976 Vancouver Whitecaps 24 1 4 6
1977 Vancouver Whitecaps 26 0 10 10
1978 Chicago Sting 30 0 0 0
1979 Chicago Sting 30 0 4 4
1980 New York Cosmos 18 0 0 0
1981 Toronto Blizzard 30 0 4 4
1982 Toronto Blizzard 25 0 5 5
1983 Toronto Blizzard 28 2 8 12
1984 Toronto Blizzard 23 1 2 4
11-Year Totals 276 7 42 56
 

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