Two professional soccer leagues were started in 1967, the United Soccer Association (USA) and the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL), which merged to form the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1968. The NASL enjoyed a significant boost in popularity when the New York Cosmos signed Pelé to play for three seasons in 1975-77. The Cosmos drew large publicity throughout the late 1970s. Between 1977 and 1980, the Cosmos drew crowds of more than 60,000 on ten occasions, japan jersey 2024-25 and over 70,000 on seven occasions (see Record attendances in United barcelona jerseys 2024 States club mexico new jersey 2024-25 soccer). However, the “soccer war” between the USFA and ASL, combined with the onset of the Great Depression in 1929, led to the demise of the ASL in 1933, and the demise of the professional sport in the United States; however, messi argentina jersey 2024-25 the sport continued in amateur and semi-professional leagues.