Houston Dynamos
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.
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
- Tony Johnson 22 Apps 11 Goals
Jose Neto 21 Apps 22 Goals (1984 league MVP)- Ed Puskarich
Nathan Sacks- Walter Schlothauer
Lesh Shkreli
Joseph Serralta- Mark Lugris
- Thomas Rafferty
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.[1]
1987-1991: Lone Star Soccer Alliance
In 1987, the Dynamos entered a newly established league, the Lone Star Soccer Alliance. [2] [3] 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)
Year-by-year
| Year | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | USL | 2nd, Western | Finals | Did not enter |
| 1985 | Independent | “N/A” | “N/A” | Did not qualify |
| 1986 | Independent | “N/A” | “N/A” | Did not qualify |
| 1987 | LSSA | 2nd | Finals | Did not enter |
| 1988 | LSSA | 2nd | Finals | Did not enter |
| 1989 | LSSA | 3rd | Semifinals | Did not enter |
| 1990 | LSSA | 4th, Southern | Did not qualify | Did not enter |
| 1991 | LSSA | 3rd, Southern | Did not qualify | Did not enter |
Honors
MVP
- 1984 José Neto
Coach of the Year
- 1984 Gary Hindley
Executive of the Year
- 1984 Peter Kane