FireStingDoug recalls what many thought was the best NASL match ever played at the time.

On June 28, 1981 the Sting hosted what many consider to be the biggest regular season game in team history. The New York Cosmos came calling and 30,501 fans packed Wrigley Field for the spectacle.

Another look back at 1981 courtesy of FireStingDoug:

After losing to the Sounders 1-0 on June 17, the Sting travelled to Portland to face the NASL's version of the Timbers. Powered by goals from Paul Hahn, Pato Margetic, Arno Steffenhagen, and Dave Huson the 4-2 victory ended the team's three game losing streak.

Another look at the 1981 season from FireStingDoug:

With a record of 10-4 the Sting took on the Washington Diplomats at Comiskey Park on June 14, 1981. The Diplomats (also previously know as the "Dips") folded after the 1980 season but the NASL moved the former Detroit Express into Washington to start the 1981 season and also named them the Diplomats.

More from FireStingDoug on 1981: The Sting travelled to San Diego on June 7, 1981 to take on the team that eliminated them from the NASL playoffs in 1979 and 1980. The Sting scored only one goal but it was enough to beat the Sockers this time. Arno Steffenhagen scored midway through the first half cutting in towards goal from the right wing to place the ball past San Diego goalkeeper Volkmar Gross.

FireStingDoug looks back at May 27, 1981:

"The Sting travelled north of the border to Toronto to face the Blizzard at Exhibition Stadium, the site of the 1981 Soccer Bowl. Their six game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the second worst team in the league by a score of 3-1. Derek Spalding scored the only goal on a penalty kick.

Multiple games in less than one week's time was commonplace in the old NASL. FireStingDoug reflects on a match with the Seattle Sounders on May 23, 1981.

"Seattle came to town and paid a visit to Comiskey Park where 10,929 fans saw the Sting emerge victorious 3-1. The Sounders led the league in total points in 1980 and were once again a solid playoff contender in 1981 but the Sting continued their high energy style and outhustled Seattle.

Another look back at 1981 courtesy of FireStingDoug:

After a huge win like the one against the Cosmos a letdown could have been expected for the Sting but it never came. The next game in Minnesota at the old Metropolitan Stadium saw the Sting route the Kicks 5-2.

Arno Steffenhagen returned to the lineup after missing the New York game to score two goals, one on a bicycle kick.

In FireStingDoug's continuing series of trips down memory lane this edition takes a look back at the May 17, 1981 battle between the Sting and the New York Cosmos. A match that was televised on WGN TV.

The Cosmos had world class talent but the Sting seemed to own them through the years holding an overall 4-1 all time lead in the series.

Another look back at the Sting's 1981 season from FireStingDoug:

On May 10, 1981 the Sting won their third game in a row after sweeping a home and home series with Dallas. A 5-0 win at Wrigley Field saw Rudy Glenn score twice while Karl-Heinz Granitz, Pato Margetic, and Greg Ryan provided the other tallies.

Another Sting memory from FireStingDoug..........

On May 3, 1981 the Sting maintained their perfect franchise record at Comiskey Park by defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies 3-1. Karl Heinz Granitza, Ingo Peter, and Charlie Fajkus scored the goals for the home side.

The win improved the Sting record to 3-2 but not many people saw it as only 5,857 were in attendance.