Columbus Capitals
The Columbus Capitals, based in Columbus, Ohio, played indoor soccer in the American Indoor Soccer Association for two seasons, 1984-85 and 1985-86. The club was one of the league's six founding members. Jerry Galbreath and Dr. Bernie Masters were the first owners, and Robert Jerles took over during 1984.
The first game was a 12-11 win over Kalamazoo on November 4, 1984. That score was a fair preview. The Capitals went 26-14, finished second and scored 305 goals, the most in the league. Forward Lesh Shkreli led the league in scoring with 59 goals and 44 assists and was named its MVP. George Beim and Ron Wigg shared the coaching that season, and Wigg stayed on for the next. Louisville swept the Capitals in the semifinals.
The second season went the other way: 13-27, fifth place and no playoffs. Crowds stayed between about 1,300 and 1,400 a game in both years. First-season games were at Battelle Hall, in the city's convention complex. Sources disagree on 1985-86. One keeps the team at Battelle Hall and another lists the Fairgrounds Coliseum.
The team stopped operating in the summer of 1986. Jerles cited a failure to agree on dates or lease payments with either building for the 1986-87 season.
