signed with General Motors to a three-year million dollar contract to be the official car of the CISL. That same year, the Indiana Twisters became the next expansion franchise admitted to the league. "The league has become very credible. ... We definitely look upon ourselves as a major-league sport. If you look at the roots of the NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and NFL, we are so far ahead of the game from where they were when they finished their fourth year." Ron Weinstein was quoted saying to the Houston Chronicle. In the fall of 1997, the surprising demise of the league took place primarily due to differences of direction between the NBA/NHL owners and three of the leagues non NBA/NHL teams: Dallas, Portland and Houston. They collaborated in an effort to leave the CISL and form their own league, The Premier Soccer Alliance. It is the opinion of many executives within the sports world, that indoor Soccer has never again reached the pinnacle of the CISL since operations formally ceased in the winter of 1998. The Continental Indoor Soccer League Championship Trophy was titled the "Lawrence Trophy" named in honor of the commissioner and founder's father, Lawrence Albert Weinstein. Teams Lawrence Trophy Champions By Team Annual awards Most Valuable Player 1993: Tatu, Dallas Sidekicks 1994: Tatu, Dallas Sidekicks 1995: Preki, San Jose Grizzlies 1996: Tatu, Dallas Sidekicks 1997: Paul Dougherty, Houston Hotshots Goalkeeper of the Year 1993: Joe Papaleo, Dallas Sidekicks 1994: Antonio Cortes, San Diego Sockers 1995: Mike Dowler, Sacramento Knights 1996: Juan de la O, Seattle SeaDogs 1997: Juan de la O, Seattle SeaDogs Coach of the Year 1993: Gordon Jago, Dallas Sidekicks 1994: George Fernandez, Anaheim Splash 1995: Erich Geyer, Monterrey La Raza 1996: Trevor Dawkins, Houston Hotshots 1997: Fernando Clavijo, Seattle SeaDogs Rookie of the Year 1993: Marco Lopez, Monterrey La Raza 1994: John Olu–Molomo, San Diego Sockers 1995: Mark Chung, San Diego Sockers 1996: Carlos Farias, San Diego Sockers 1997: Guillermo Castaneda, Washington Warthogs Defender of the Year 1993: Sean Bowers, Sacramento Knights 1994: Ralph Black, Anaheim Splash 1995: Danny Pena, Sacramento Knights 1996: Troy Snyder, Washington Warthogs 1997: Genoni Martinez, Monterrey La Raza Playoff MVP 1993: Tatu, Dallas Sidekicks 1994: Branko Šegota, Las Vegas Dustdevils 1995: Zizinho, Monterrey La Raza 1996: Raul Salas, Monterrey La Raza 1997: Juan de la O, Seattle SeaDogs References External links All-Time CISL Standings All-Time CISL Attendance Continental