Freddie Goodwin, the first coach and president of the old Minnesota Kicks of the North America Soccer League, died last Friday in Gig Harbor, Wash., at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancer.

He coached the Kicks from 1976 to 1978 and for part of the 1980 and '81 seasons until the franchise was dissolved. He also was the team president from 1976 to June of 1981.

Goodwin, a former player for the English team Manchester United, used his contacts in Britain to build a team. He signed Alan Merrick and several other free agents and worked deals with clubs in England to get players on loan, including Alan Willey.

In six seasons, playing at Met Stadium in Bloomington, the Kicks averages 24,381 fans per home game and won four division titles.