Soccer in Houston

Last updated

The history of professional soccer in Houston spans half a century, and includes clubs playing in numerous different leagues such as the North American Soccer League, the United Soccer League, Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League.

Contents

History

Professional soccer in Houston began with the Houston Stars, [1] who played at the Astrodome from 1967-68 in the United Soccer Association during their first year and the North American Soccer League during their second and final season. Houston returned to the professional soccer scene with two clubs, [1] both operating from 1978-80: the Houston Hurricane (NASL), and the Houston Summit (Major Indoor Soccer League).

Professional soccer returned to Houston again from 1984–91 with the Dynamos, [1] who competed in the United Soccer League, the Lone Star Soccer Alliance and independently in between. The Hotshots was the last professional soccer franchise in Houston before today's Dynamo, operating from 1994–2000 in the Continental Indoor Soccer League and the World Indoor Soccer League. [1] The short-lived Houston Force of the American Professional Soccer League was terminated during their first season in 1994 due to financial issues. [2]

Houston did not field a professional team from 2000 to 2005 but the city's ability to draw big crowds for friendlies placed it in the conversation to land a Major League Soccer club. [1] Houston had become a hotspot for Mexican First Division club friendlies at Robertson Stadium [3] (the future home of the Dynamo) and the opening of Reliant Stadium, thanks to the return of an NFL team to Houston in 2002, made it a hot destination to host international friendlies. [4]

In the long run, what we want to do is see what the depth of the soccer market is here and what kind of success we can have.

—  Houston Texans CDO Steve Patterson, in an interview with the Houston Chronicle, [4] printed May 4, 2003

Houston Texans Chief Development Officer Steve Patterson (whose organization was looking to bring an MLS franchise to Houston) spearheaded efforts to host a USA vs. Mexico friendly in May 2003, a rematch of the two nations historic round of 16 encounter at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, as the first soccer match at Reliant Stadium. [4] The 69,582 attendance set a new record for a soccer match in Texas (surpassing the 63,500 for Netherlands vs. Brazil at the Cotton Bowl in a 1994 FIFA World Cup quarter-final) [4] and became the third largest crowd for a United States men's national team friendly. [5]

Bringing an MLS club to the Bayou City

MLS Commissioner Don Garber revealed on November 16, 2005 that the league had granted permission to San Jose Earthquakes' owners Anschutz Entertainment Group to relocate the team for the 2006 season, giving the entertainment giant 30 days to make a decision. Garber was in Houston and spoke with the media before an international friendly between Mexico and Bulgaria at Reliant Stadium, citing Houston as a next destination for an MLS club whether the Earthquakes moved or not. [6]

"This is the market they've got their sights set on. This is a market that we've got investor interest, we've got sponsor interest, we've got media interest. This is a market that's going to be terrific for us. We will have a team in Houston in due time. The question is whether we have one as early as 2006 as part of a move, or as an expansion team. We'll get a team here, there's no doubt in our mind."

— MLS Commissioner Don Garber, in an interview with the Associated Press, [6] printed November 16, 2005

On December 15, 2005, Major League Soccer announced the relocation of the San Jose franchise, along with all players and coaches under contract, to Houston. [7] The Earthquakes name, colors and competition records were retained by the league for a possible expansion team. According to MLS, AEG had invested more than $20 million in the Earthquakes since purchasing the team in 2003 and suffered significant losses during that period because of its stadium deal. [7] AEG had previously considered Houston as a site to relocate to and entered "positive discussions" about finding a soccer stadium in Houston. [8]

This is not an expansion franchise. This is one of the best teams in the MLS. You're getting an extraordinary franchise.

— AEG President and CEO Timothy J. Leiweke, at Houston City Hall, [9] December 16, 2005

A ceremony was held outside Houston City Hall on December 16, 2005 to officially announce the franchise's arrival. Mayor Bill White joined city council members, Harris County officials, local soccer organizers and fans in welcoming team coach Dominic Kinnear and players Pat Onstad and Wade Barrett with cowboy boots and hats. It was disclosed that the team would train and play at the University of Houston's Robertson Stadium on a three-year lease with the university earning a percentage of the revenues from concessions, parking and other sources. [10]

In an immediate effort to plant roots in the community, AEG president and CEO Tim Leiweke announced former Houston Oilers quarterback Oliver Luck as the team's president and general manager. A previous NFL Europe executive, Luck had served as the head of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority since 2001 and was instrumental in pursuing an MLS team for the city while also overseeing the construction of Minute Maid Park (home of the Astros), Reliant Stadium (home to the Texans) and the Toyota Center (home to the Rockets) during his tenure. [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Major League Soccer</span> Professional soccer league in the United States and Canada

Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men's professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport's highest level in the United States. The league comprises 29 teams—26 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada—since the 2023 season. The league is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Jose Earthquakes</span> Soccer team in the United States

The San Jose Earthquakes are an American professional soccer club based in San Jose, California. The Earthquakes compete as a member club of the Western Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). Originally as the San Jose Clash, the franchise began play in 1996 as one of the charter members of the league. The Earthquakes took part in the first game in MLS history, defeating D.C. United 1–0. The Earthquakes have won two MLS Cup titles and two Supporters' Shields. In 2002, the team played in its first CONCACAF Champions Cup, making it to the quarterfinals. The team holds a fierce rivalry with the LA Galaxy known as the California Clásico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NRG Stadium</span> Stadium in Houston, Texas, United States

NRG Stadium, formerly Reliant Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Houston, Texas, United States. Construction was completed in 2002, at a cost of $352 million and has a seating capacity of 72,220. It was the first NFL facility to have a retractable roof.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominic Kinnear</span> American soccer coach and former player (born 1967)

Dominic Kinnear is an American soccer coach and former player. On January 18, 2022, he was named an assistant coach by FC Cincinnati, his first coaching role since serving as the interim head coach of the LA Galaxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Ching</span> American soccer player

Brian Ching is an American former professional soccer player who played for twelve years in Major League Soccer and represented the U.S. national team for eight years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Robinson (soccer)</span> American soccer player

Eddie Robinson is an American retired soccer player who played as a center-back. During his playing career, he played in Major League Soccer for the San Jose Earthquakes and the Houston Dynamo. He also earned one cap for the United States national soccer team. Robinson now serves as a color commentator for Dynamo TV broadcasts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Garber</span> Major League Soccer commissioner

Donald P. Garber is an American sports executive who has served as the Commissioner of Major League Soccer since 1999. Garber is also the CEO of Soccer United Marketing and a member of the United States Soccer Federation board of directors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Houston Dynamo FC</span> American soccer club based in Houston, Texas

Houston Dynamo FC is an American professional soccer club based in Houston. The Dynamo compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. Established on December 15, 2005, the club was founded after their former owners relocated the San Jose Earthquakes' players and staff to Houston following the 2005 season. For their first six seasons in Houston, the Dynamo were based at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston. During the 2012 season, the club moved to Shell Energy Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium in East Downtown Houston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Wondolowski</span> American soccer player

Christopher "Chris" Elliott Wondolowski is an American former professional soccer player who played as a forward. Nicknamed Wondo, he scored 171 career goals, the most in Major League Soccer history, and he was MLS's top scorer in the 2010 and 2012 seasons, also being named the 2012 Most Valuable Player, and was one of the top strikers during his time playing in Major League Soccer. With 171 goals in Major League Soccer, he is the highest scorer in the competition's history, as well as the only player in league history to score 150 or more regular-season goals.

The 2006 Houston Dynamo season was the inaugural season of the club.

Texas is home of several national sports league franchises among other professional sports, being the second most populated U.S. state. Since the state is located in the South Central United States, most teams are part of the Central / South or West league divisions, with the notable exception of the NFL Dallas Cowboys, which is an NFC East franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shell Energy Stadium</span> Soccer stadium in Houston

Shell Energy Stadium is an American multi-purpose stadium located in Houston, Texas that is home to the Houston Dynamo, a Major League Soccer club, the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League.The stadium is the result of combined commitments of $35.5 million from the city of Houston and $60 million from the Houston Dynamo. Harris County agreed to pay for half of the land in exchange for the ability to jointly own the stadium after its completion date in May 2012. The naming rights to the stadium were formerly held by BBVA USA; the name was changed to that of PNC Financial Services due to BBVA's acquisition by PNC. The stadium's naming rights have been owned by Shell Energy since January 17, 2023.

This article is a list of statistics and records relating to Houston Dynamo. The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club based in Houston, Texas. The club was founded in 2006 and plays in Major League Soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Expansion of Major League Soccer</span>

Major League Soccer has expanded several times since the league began play in 1996. Major League Soccer was established as the top level of professional soccer in the United States in 1993 with 10 teams and began play in 1996. It has expanded several times since 1998 into new markets across the United States and, since 2006, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 MLS All-Star Game</span> Football match

The 2010 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, held on July 28, 2010, was the 15th annual Major League Soccer All-Star Game, a soccer match involving all-stars from Major League Soccer. The MLS All-Stars faced Manchester United of the English Premier League in the seventh All-Star Game that featured the league's best players facing international competition. The match was broadcast in the US on ESPN2 in English and Galavision in Spanish.

The Copa de Tejas was a soccer tournament held in Houston. All games were played at the Reliant Stadium, home of the NFL's Houston Texans.

The History of Major League Soccer began in 1988, when the United States Soccer Federation pledged to create a Division 1 professional soccer league as a condition to FIFA awarding the 1994 FIFA World Cup to the United States. Major League Soccer was officially formed in 1995. The league began play in 1996 with 10 teams, and in 1998 grew to 12 teams. MLS experienced some difficulties in its first seasons, with the league losing money in the early years, resulting in two teams folding after the 2001 season. MLS has rebounded since then, with increased attendance and the development of soccer-specific stadiums. With an average attendance of over 20,000 per game, MLS has the third highest average attendance of any sports league in the U.S. after the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB), and is the seventh highest attended professional soccer league worldwide. MLS currently has 29 teams, with further expansion planned. The league plans to expand to 30 teams with the addition of a San Diego team in 2025. MLS is currently the largest first division professional soccer league in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande Valley FC Toros</span> Soccer team in Texas, US

Rio Grande Valley FC, also known as RGVFC or Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, is an American professional soccer team based in Edinburg, Texas operated by Lone Star, LLC. They joined the USL Championship in the 2016 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Tarbell</span> American professional soccer player (born 1993)

Andrew Tarbell is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Pedersen, Matt (August 12, 2016). "A look back at Houston's professional soccer history on reunion weekend". HoustonDynamo.com. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  2. ↑ "The Force no longer with APSL". The Province . July 24, 1994. p. A63. Retrieved May 6, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "U.S. SOCCER: U.S. and Mexico face off May 8 in Houston". Soccer America. March 11, 2003. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Lopez, John (May 4, 2003). "U.S. vs. Mexico may be Houston's biggest fiesta". Chron.com. Houston Chronicle . Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  5. ↑ "U.S. and Mexico Battle to 0-0 Draw in Front of Almost 70,000". USsoccer.com. May 8, 2003. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Duncan, Chris (November 16, 2005). "Houston a Contender to Land MLS Team". WashingtonPost.com. Associated Press . Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Earthquakes move to Houston, name stays in San Jose". SoccerTimes.com. December 15, 2005. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  8. ↑ "San Jose's MLS team moving to Houston". USAToday.com. Associated Press. December 15, 2005. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Houston officially welcomes MLS franchise". USAToday.com. Associated Press. December 16, 2005. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Fallas, Bernardo (December 16, 2005). "Houston welcomes its new soccer team". Chron.com. Houston Chronicle . Retrieved December 31, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.