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 overexpansion 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
• Mark Lugris
• Thomas Rafferty

1985-1986: Independent

In 1985, the Dynamos chose not to return to...
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