Austin Thunder

Last updated
Austin Thunder
Founded1987
Ground House Park
Westlake High School
Capacity6,500
Coordinates 30°16′41″N97°44′58″W / 30.27798°N 97.749578°W / 30.27798; -97.749578
CoachNigel Bowman

The Austin Thunder was an American soccer club based in Austin, Texas that was a member of the Lone Star Soccer Alliance.

Contents

History

In 1987, Nigel Bowman and Jeff Brown founded The Austin Thunder, the first semi-professional soccer team in Austin, as part of the Lone Star Soccer Alliance, initially playing at House Park. [1] The Thunder ended their first season with a 3–3 record, finishing third in the Lone Star Soccer Alliance. [2]

Lone Star Soccer Alliance announced that the 1998 season would have five teams in a eight-game season format. [3] For the second season in a row, The Austin Thunder finished in third place in the Lone Star Soccer Alliance. [4]

In the 1989 season, Nigel Bowman continued to encourage soccer in Austin by developing new talent for the team. [5] Working to improve the players understanding of the game, in addition to their physical talents. [6] These changes lead the team to their first championship game, where they played FC Dallas, who had 35 straight wins over the last three seasons. [7] The Thunder were able to beat FC Dallas 3–2 in the final, claiming their only LSSA championship. [8] Three players made the all-star team that year. Richard Johnson at defense, Nigel Bowman at midfield, and Derek Missimo at forward. [9]

LSSA added two more teams for the 1990 season and split the league into two divisions. The Thunder played in the South Division and was aligned the Houston Dynamos, Houston Alianza, and San Antonio Alamo. [10] Bringing back nine players from their 1989 championship team [11] allowed the Thunder to reach the playoffs for a second year in a row. [12] In a repeat of the 1989 finals, the Thunder met FC Dallas in the semi-finals, losing 1–0. [13]

1991 was another successful season for the Austin Thunder, with the team winning the South division and earning a spot in the LSSA championship against long time powerhouse FC Dallas. [14] In a rematch of the 1989 finals, the Austin Thunder fell to FC Dallas in the seventh round of a penalty shoot-out, after playing 120 minutes to a 3–3 tie. [15] For the 1991 LSSA all-star game, Nigel Bowman was selected to co-coach the South's team. [16]

The Austin Thunder started the 1992 season with a friendly against Queen's Park F.C., a professional team from Scottish Football League Second Division. [17] The Austin Thunder's 1992 season was both their last season in the LSSA and last season as a semi-professional team. As of 2023, they continue to play amateur soccer in the Austin Men's Soccer Association. [18]

Austin Thunder Ladies

Austin Thunder also had a girls program that was a finalist in the Division One Texas State Cup in 1989. [19] Playing in youth tournaments, the Austin Thunder Ladies won the 1991 South Texas State Cup. The Thunder Ladies team's success continued and in 1991 they were invited to England for the Watford International Women's Tournament. [20] After losing their first game to Sheffield Wednesday, [21] the Thunder Ladies beat Manchester women's select, North West to earn a place in the finals. The Austin Thunder Ladies beat Sheffield Wednesday 3–2 in the finals to capture the Watford International Women's Tournament. [22]

Year-by-year

YearDivisionLeagueReg. SeasonPlayoffsU.S. Open Cup
1987N/ALSSA3rdNo playoffDid not enter
1988N/ALSSA3rdPlayoffsDid not enter
1989N/ALSSA2ndChampionDid not enter
1990N/ALSSA2nd, SouthernPlayoffsDid not enter
1991N/ALSSA1st, SouthernFinalDid not enter
1992N/ALSSA3rd, SouthernDid not qualifyDid not enter

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Craige, Lois (June 11, 1987). "Professional soccer comes to Austin". Austin American-Statesman . Retrieved November 10, 2023– via Nespapers.com.
  2. ↑ Roberts, Reggie (May 29, 1988). "Fresh talent gives Thunder a boost". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 10, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Northington, David (February 19, 1988). "Lone Star Soccer to open with 5 teams". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 10, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Hanley, Penny (September 4, 1988). "Soccer". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 10, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Maraniss, Andrew (June 24, 1989). "Shooting at Popularity". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Maraniss, Andrew (June 24, 1989). "Shooting at Popularity". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Renaud, Jorge (August 12, 1989). "Thunder will try to snatch title away from powerful FC Dallas". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Thunder dethrone champ FC Dallas". Austin American-Statesman. August 17, 1989. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Warrior, Key LSSA all-stars". Times Record News . Wichita Falls, Texas. August 17, 1989. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "LSSA adds two teams; forms divisional play". Austin American Statesman. March 24, 1990. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Austin Thunder open Sunday at Houston". Austin American-Statesman. May 5, 1990. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ Bennett, Stacy (July 29, 1990). "Thunder, Sockadillos earn playoffs spots". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "FC Dallas eliminates Austin Thunder 1–0". Austin American-Statesman. August 5, 1990. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Galinsky, John (August 12, 1991). "Thunder advances to play Dallas for Lone Star Soccer Alliance title". Austin American=Statesman. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Thunder falls in shootout". Austin American-Statesman. August 18, 1991. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Four Fever players in all-star game". Times Record News. Wichita Falls, TX. July 26, 1991. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Soccer". Austin American-Statesman. May 20, 1992. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "Standings". www.AustinMensSoccer.com. Austin Men's Soccer Association. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Texas Cup finalists". Austin American-Statesman. June 15, 1989. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  20. ↑ Galinsky, John (July 18, 1991). "Thunder Rolls Into England". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ McCarty, Yulanda L. (August 7, 1999). "Austin Thunder Ladies capture Watford International soccer title". Austin American-Statemsan. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "US women's soccer team takes England by storm". Southport Visiter . Southport, England. August 23, 1991. Retrieved November 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
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