Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Houston Dynamos

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Nickname(s)
  
"The Dynamos."

Dissolved
  
1991

Founded
  
1983

League
  
United Soccer League.

Full name
  
Houston Dynamos Soccer Team. (USL).

Ground
  
Houston, Texas, United States.

Houston Dynamos was a U.S. soccer team which existed in various forms from 1983 to 1991. In 1991, the team’s owners changed the name to Houston International, but the team lasted only through the 1992 season before folding.

Contents

1984: United Soccer League

In 1983, the United Soccer League (USL) was formed after the second American Soccer League (ASL) folded that year. The ASL had served as the de facto U.S. second division for decades, but collapsed due to over expansion and financial insolvency. The USL intended to avoid this fate by creating a lean, financially responsible league. In 1984, the league began play with nine teams in three regional divisions. The Houston Dynamos joined the Oklahoma City Stampede and Dallas Americans in the Western Division. The Dynamos gained a significant boost when it signed José Neto. Houston finished third in the league, but second in its division. In the wild card game, the Dynamos defeated the Dallas Americans. In the semifinals, they defeated the Oklahoma City Stampede two games to none. Their run ended in the championship, when they lost 3-0 to the Fort Lauderdale Sun in the third, and deciding, game of the series.

1984 Roster

  • Manny Andruszewski
  • Mike Barbarick 24 Apps 0 Goals
  • Giulio Bernardi
  • Beto Dos Santos
  • Bob Bozada
  • Glenn Davis
  • Jim Elder
  • Soloman Hilton
  • Tony Johnson 22 Apps 11 Goals
  • Mark Lugris
  • William McDonald
  • Jose Neto 21 Apps 22 Goals (1984 league MVP)
  • Manny Neves
  • Ed Puskarich
  • Thomas Rafferty
  • Nathan Sacks
  • Walter Schlothauer
  • Joseph Serralta
  • Lesh Shkreli
  • Roland Sikinger
  • Gary Vogel
  • 1985-1986: Independent

    In 1985, the Dynamos chose not to return to the USL for the league’s second season when it became apparent the league would not survive. Despite the league’s attempt at financial austerity, it indeed folded eight games into the 1985 season. Having forsaken the USL, the Dynamos played an exhibition schedule as an independent team.

    1987-1991: Lone Star Soccer Alliance

    In 1987, the Dynamos entered a newly established league, the Lone Star Soccer Alliance. At the end of the 1990 season, the team ownership changed the team’s name to Houston International for the franchise's final season.

    Coaches

  • Gary Hindley (1984-1985) (1984 Coach of the Year)
  • Honors

    MVP

  • 1984 José Neto
  • Coach of the Year

  • 1984 Gary Hindley
  • Executive of the Year

  • 1984 Peter Kane
  • References

    Houston Dynamos Wikipedia