DFW Tornados
Encyclopedia
DFW Tornados was an American soccer team based in Dallas, Texas
, United States. Founded in 1986, the team played in the USL Premier Development League
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference. The franchise folded at the end of the 2010 season and left the league thereafter.
The team played its home games at Pizza Hut Park
(the home of Major League Soccer
's FC Dallas
) in nearby Frisco, Texas
. The team's colors were black, blue and white.
, became a founding member of the Southwest Indoor Soccer League. The team topped the standings during the 1986-1987 season before defeating the Lubbock Lazers
in the championship game. The team moved to Addison, Texas
in 1987 and changed their name to the Addison Arrows. They remained in Addison for two years. In 1989, the league added a summer outdoor season and Addison promptly went to the championship game, this time losing to the Colorado Comets
. They continued their excellent play during the 1989-1990 indoor season, defeating the Phoenix Hearts to take their second indoor championship. Following the completion of the indoor season, the team moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth are and was renamed North Texas United after their move to Dallas/Fort Worth. In November 1990, they merged with the Waco Kickers
and became the Fort Worth Kickers. After team owner Pat Parker was unable to gain financial backing for the team, it moved to Dallas and became the Dallas Kickers for the 1991/92 indoor season. The team was renamed the Dallas Americans before the 1992 outdoor season. They were renamed the Dallas/Fort Worth Toros in 1993, and remained as such until 1996, when they were renamed the Dallas Toros for the 1997 outdoor season. They became the Texas Toros in 1998, and the Texas Rattlers for the 2000 season. Upon their move to the Premier Development League for 2001 they changed their name, and were bought by the Texas Spurs, which they maintained until 2003, when the Spurs club sold the team to the owner of Arena Athletics in Euless, Texas
. They finally took their current name, the DFW Tornados, beginning in 2004.
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.
Kyle Altman
Cody Bragg
Kyle Brown
Caesar Cervin
Andres Cuero
Chad Deering
Aaron DeLoach
Hunter Freeman
Bruno Guarda
Stephen McCarthy
Ryan Mirsky
Jordan Murch
Jay Needham
Gifton Noel-Williams
Dane Saintus
Shea Salinas
Chad Smith
T. J. Tomasso
Jamie Watson
Daniel Woolard
(1991) Ed Puskarich
(1998, 2001–2003) Bernard Brodigan (2004) Paul Robinson (2005–2010)
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, United States. Founded in 1986, the team played in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference. The franchise folded at the end of the 2010 season and left the league thereafter.
The team played its home games at Pizza Hut Park
Pizza Hut Park
Pizza Hut Park is a soccer-specific stadium with a 21,193-seat capacity, built and owned by the city of Frisco, Texas. Its primary tenant is Major League Soccer team FC Dallas, which relocated from the Cotton Bowl in central Dallas to the fast-growing suburb...
(the home of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
's FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
) in nearby Frisco, Texas
Frisco, Texas
Frisco is an affluent city in Collin and Denton Counties in the U.S. state of Texas and a rapidly growing suburb of Dallas. As of the 2010 Census, 116,989 people were living in Frisco up from 33,714 in the previous census. Frisco was the fastest growing city in the United States in 2009, and also...
. The team's colors were black, blue and white.
History
In 1986, the club, known as Garland Genesis, based in Garland, TexasGarland, Texas
-Climate:* The average warmest month is July.* The highest recorded temperature was in 2000.* On average, the coolest month is January.* The lowest recorded temperature was in 1989.* The maximum average precipitation occurs in May....
, became a founding member of the Southwest Indoor Soccer League. The team topped the standings during the 1986-1987 season before defeating the Lubbock Lazers
Lubbock Lazers
The Lubbock Lazers were a soccer club based in Lubbock, Texas that competed in the SISL and USISL. For the 1991/92 indoor season, the team was named the Lubbock Tornado, but returned as the Lazers after that season.-Year-by-year:...
in the championship game. The team moved to Addison, Texas
Addison, Texas
Addison is a city in Dallas County, Texas . The population was 14,166 at the 2000 census, and 15,737 according to a 2009 estimate. Addison is a northern suburb of Dallas...
in 1987 and changed their name to the Addison Arrows. They remained in Addison for two years. In 1989, the league added a summer outdoor season and Addison promptly went to the championship game, this time losing to the Colorado Comets
Colorado Comets
The Colorado Comets were an American soccer club based in Denver, Colorado founded in 1985 which later competed in the SISL and USISL.-History:...
. They continued their excellent play during the 1989-1990 indoor season, defeating the Phoenix Hearts to take their second indoor championship. Following the completion of the indoor season, the team moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth are and was renamed North Texas United after their move to Dallas/Fort Worth. In November 1990, they merged with the Waco Kickers
Waco Kickers
The Waco Kickers were a soccer club based in Waco, Texas that competed in the SISL. Following the 1990 outdoor season, the merged into North Texas United.-Year-by-year:...
and became the Fort Worth Kickers. After team owner Pat Parker was unable to gain financial backing for the team, it moved to Dallas and became the Dallas Kickers for the 1991/92 indoor season. The team was renamed the Dallas Americans before the 1992 outdoor season. They were renamed the Dallas/Fort Worth Toros in 1993, and remained as such until 1996, when they were renamed the Dallas Toros for the 1997 outdoor season. They became the Texas Toros in 1998, and the Texas Rattlers for the 2000 season. Upon their move to the Premier Development League for 2001 they changed their name, and were bought by the Texas Spurs, which they maintained until 2003, when the Spurs club sold the team to the owner of Arena Athletics in Euless, Texas
Euless, Texas
Euless, known as "Tree City USA," is a city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States, and a suburb of Fort Worth. Euless is part of the Mid-Cities between Dallas and Fort Worth...
. They finally took their current name, the DFW Tornados, beginning in 2004.
Final roster
This list is a historical record of the final group of players on the last Tornados roster for their final game in August 2010. Source: http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/2010/934453.html#ROSTERNotable former players
- See also: All-time DFW Tornados rosterAll-time DFW Tornados rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for DFW Tornados in the USL since the league began keeping detailed records in 2003...
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.
Kyle Altman
Kyle Altman
Kyle Altman is an American soccer player currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
Cody Bragg
Cody Bragg
Richard "Cody" Bragg is an American soccer player, currently without a club.-College:Bragg grew up in Plano, Texas, played club soccer for the Dallas Texans and in the Dallas Cup in the U19 Super Group, and went on to play college soccer at The Citadel from 2000 to 2003...
Kyle Brown
Kyle Brown
Kyle Brown is an American soccer player, currently without a club.-College and Amateur:Brown attended Carroll High School, and played college soccer for the University of Tulsa from 2001 to 2005, receiving All-Conference honors in all four years he played...
Caesar Cervin
Caesar Cervin
Caesar Cervin is a retired American soccer forward who coached the Texas Outlaws of the Professional Arena Soccer League. He played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League, United Soccer League and Southwest Indoor Soccer League...
Andres Cuero
Andres Cuero
Andres Cuero is an American soccer player currently playing for Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
Chad Deering
Chad Deering
Chad Deering is a retired American soccer player. Deering spent his professional career in Germany, Norway, Major League Soccer and Major Indoor Soccer League...
Aaron DeLoach
Aaron DeLoach
Aaron DeLoach is an American soccer player, currently playing for DFW Tornados in the USL Premier Development League.-College:...
Hunter Freeman
Hunter Freeman
Hunter Freeman is an American soccer player who currently plays for Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer.-College and amateur:...
Bruno Guarda
Bruno Guarda
Bruno Ernesto Guarda is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer.-College:...
Stephen McCarthy
Stephen McCarthy (soccer)
Stephen McCarthy is an American soccer player currently playing for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
Ryan Mirsky
Ryan Mirsky
Ryan Mirsky is an American soccer player who is currently without a club.-Youth and Amateur:Mirsky attended Tyler High School, and played college soccer at Southern Methodist University, where he was selected to the Conference USA All-Freshman team in 2005, and the All-Conference USA third-team as...
Jordan Murch
Jordan Murch
Jordan Murch is a Scottish footballer currently without a club.-Scotland:Murch signed a YTS contract with Clyde in July 2007, and signed his first professional contract in May 2008...
Jay Needham
Jay Needham
Jay Needham is an American soccer player currently playing for the Puerto Rico Islanders in the North American Soccer League....
Gifton Noel-Williams
Gifton Noel-Williams
Gifton Noel-Williams is an English footballer.-England:Noel-Williams started his professional career at Watford where he spent a seven year spell playing 127 games and scoring 43 goals. Aged 19, he was Watford's top goalscorer in the 1998–99 season, at the end of which they were promoted to the...
Dane Saintus
Dane Saintus
Dane Saintus is an American soccer player who currently plays for Los Angeles Blues in the USL Professional Division.-College and amateur:...
Shea Salinas
Shea Salinas
Robert O'Shea "Shea" Salinas is an American soccer player who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
Chad Smith
Chad Smith (soccer)
Chad Smith is an American soccer player who currently plays for Charlotte Eagles in the USL Professional Division.-College:Smith played college soccer at Midwestern State University from 2003 to 2006...
T. J. Tomasso
T. J. Tomasso
Thomas J. Tomasso is an American soccer player, who was a goalkeeper for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer....
Jamie Watson
Jamie Watson (soccer)
Jamie Watson is an American soccer player who currently plays for Orlando City in the USL Professional Division.-College:...
Daniel Woolard
Daniel Woolard
Daniel Woolard is an American soccer player, who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-College and amateur:...
Year-by-year
| Year | Team Name | Division | League | Regular season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-87 1986-87 Southwest Indoor Soccer League Final standings for the 1986-1987 Southwest Indoor Soccer League season.-League standings:*Semifinal: Lubbock defeated Oklahoma City in a best of 3 series.*FINAL: Garland 7-2 Lubbock-Honors:... |
Garland Genesis | 3 | SISL Indoor | 1st | Champion | |
| 1987-88 1987-88 Southwest Indoor Soccer League Final standings for the 1987-1988 Southwest Indoor Soccer League season.-League standings:-Playoffs:*Semifinal: Austin defeated AlbuquerqueOklahoma City defeated Addison*FINAL: Oklahoma City defeated Austin 8-5, 9-7, 11-3-Awards:... |
Arlington Arrows | 3 | SISL Indoor | 4th | Semifinal | |
| 1988-89 1988-89 Southwest Indoor Soccer League -North Division:-South Division:-West Division:-Playoffs:-First game:-Second game:-Third game:-Fourth game:-Mini game:-Honors:* Most Valuable Player: Brian Monaghan, Austin Sockadillos... |
Addison Arrows | 3 | SISL Indoor | 1st, North | Semifinals | |
| 1989 1989 Southwest Outdoor Soccer League -Overview:After running two indoor seasons, the Southwest Indoor Soccer League added an outdoor season in 1989. With the move outdoors, the league added the Colorado Comets and Tulsa Renegades who quickly proved their worth when they finished at the top of the standing... |
6 | SOSL | 3rd | Final | Did not enter | |
| 1989-90 1989-90 Southwest Independent Soccer League Overview of the 1989-1990 Southwest Independent Soccer League indoor season and 1990 outdoor season.-Texas Division:-Tex-Ark-Oma Division:-Central Division:-Cactus Division:-Playoffs:-Awards:*MVP: Andy Crawford, Permian Basin/Colorado... |
7 | SISL Indoor | 1st, Tex-Ark-Oma | Champion | ||
| 1990 | North Texas United | 6 | SISL Outdoor | 5th, Eastern | Did not qualify | Did not enter |
| 1990-91 | Fort Worth Kickers | 7 | SISL Indoor | 3rd, Southeast | Semifinals | |
| 1991 | 7 | SISL | 2nd, Tex-Oma | Semifinals | Did not enter | |
| 1991-92 | Dallas Kickers | 3 | USISL Indoor | 1st, Tex-Oma | Sizzling Four | |
| 1992 1992 United States Interregional Soccer League Statistics of United States Interregional Soccer League in season 1992.-League standings: GP W L GF GA BP PTS SO Southeast Conference Orlando Lions 14 10 4 37 17 30 94 0-2... |
Dallas Americans | USISL | 3rd, South Central | Sizzling Six | Did not enter | |
| 1992-93 | USISL Indoor | 2nd, South Central | Sizzling Four | |||
| 1993 1993 United States Interregional Soccer League Final standings of the 1993 United States Interregional Soccer League season.-League standings: G W L GF GA PTS Atlantic Division Greensboro Dynamo 16 14 2 41 14 114... |
Dallas/Fort Worth Toros | USISL | 3rd, South Central | Did not qualify | Did not enter | |
| 1994 1994 United States Interregional Soccer League Final standings of the 1994 United States Interregional Soccer League season.-League standings: G W L GF GA PTS Northeast Division Long Island Rough Riders 18 13 5 35 19 117... |
USISL | 2nd, South Central | Sizzling Nine | Did not enter | ||
| 1995 | USISL Pro League | 2nd, South Central | Divisional Semifinals | Did not qualify | ||
| 1995-96 | USISL Indoor | 5th, Central | Did not qualify | |||
| 1996 1996 USISL Professional League Final standings of the 1996 United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues Professional League season.-League standings: GP W L SW GF GA PTS NORTHEAST CONFERENCE Central Jersey Riptide 16 13 3 2 44 24 35... |
USISL Pro League | 1st, Central | Sizzling Six | Did not qualify | ||
| 1997 1997 USISL D-3 Pro League - New Clubs :* Indiana Blast* Vermont Voltage* South Jersey Barons* Los Angeles Fireballs* Stanislaus County Cruisers* Myrtle Beach Seadawgs* Cleveland Caps* Tallahassee Tempest* Daytona Tigers-League standings:... |
Dallas Toros | 3 | USISL D-3 Pro League | 6th, South Central | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1998 1998 USISL D-3 Pro League The 1998 USISL D-3 Pro League was the 12th season of third-division soccer in the United States, and was the second season of now-defunct USISL D-3 Pro League. The champions were the Chicago Stingers who beat the New Hampshire Phantoms in the final.... |
Texas Toros | 3 | USISL D-3 Pro League | 2nd, South Central | Division Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 1999 1999 USISL D-3 Pro League -League standings: GP W L SW SL GF GA BP Pts Northern Division Western Mass Pioneers 18 14 4 1 0 56 28 10 64 South Jersey Barons 18 16 2 1 0 43 23 9 63... |
3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 2nd, Western | Conference Finals | Did not qualify | |
| 2000 2000 USISL D-3 Pro League -League standings: GP W L D GF GA BP Pts Northern Division New Jersey Stallions 18 14 3 1 43 21 7 64 South Jersey Imperials 18 12 6 0 46 33 9 57... |
Texas Rattlers | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 1st, Southern | Conference Quarterfinals | 2nd Round |
| 2001 2001 PDL Season The 2001 USL Premier Development League season was the 7th PDL season. The season began in April 2001 and ended in August 2001.Westchester Flames finished the season as national champions, beating Calgary Storm 3-1 in the PDL Championship game... |
Texas Spurs | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Mid South | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 2002 2002 PDL Season The 2002 USL Premier Development League season was the 8th PDL season. The season began in April 2002 and ended in August 2002.Cape Cod Crusaders finished the season as national champions, beating Boulder Rapids Reserve 2-1 in the PDL Championship game... |
Texas Spurs | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Mid South | Conference Semifinals | 1st Round |
| 2003 2003 PDL Season The 2003 USL Premier Development League season was the 9th PDL season. The season began in April 2003 and ended in August 2003.Cape Cod Crusaders finished the season as national champions for the second time, beating Chicago Fire Reserves 2-0 in the PDL Championship game... |
Texas Spurs | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, Mid South | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2004 2004 PDL Season The 2004 USL Premier Development League season was the 10th PDL season. The season began in April 2004 and ended in August 2004.Central Florida Kraze finished the season as national champions, beating Boulder Rapids Reserve 1-0 in the PDL Championship game... |
DFW Tornados | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Mid South | Conference Semifinals | 2nd Round |
| 2005 2005 PDL Season The 2005 USL Premier Development League season was the 11th PDL season. The season began in April 2005 and ended in August 2005.Des Moines Menace finished the season as national champions, beating El Paso Patriots 6-5 on penalty kicks, following a 0-0 draw in the PDL Championship game in El Paso,... |
DFW Tornados | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, Mid South | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2006 2006 PDL Season The 2006 USL Premier Development League season was the 12th PDL season. The season began in April 2006 and ended in August 2006.Michigan Bucks finished the season as national champions, beating Laredo Heat 2-1 in the PDL Championship game in Laredo, Texas on 12 August 2006.Carolina Dynamo finished... |
4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Mid South | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | |
| 2007 2007 PDL Season The 2007 USL Premier Development League season was the 13th season of the PDL. The season started on April 28, 2007. The regular season ended on July 25, 2007.... |
4 | USL PDL | 3rd, Mid South | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | |
| 2008 2008 PDL Season The 2008 USL Premier Development League season was the 14th season of the PDL. The regular season started on April 26, 2008, and ended on July 20, 2008... |
4 | USL PDL | 6th, Mid South | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | |
| 2009 2009 PDL Season The 2009 USL Premier Development League season was the 15th season of the PDL. The regular season began on May 1, 2009, and ended on July 19, 2009... |
4 | USL PDL | 6th, Mid South | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | |
| 2010 2010 PDL season The 2010 USL Premier Development League season was the 16th season of the PDL. The regular season began on April 24, 2010, and ended on July 26. The playoffs began on Friday, July 30 and concluded with the PDL Championship Game on August 8th... |
4 | USL PDL | 3rd, Mid South | Did not qualify | 1st Round |
New Indoor Team
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-05 | N/A | PASL Indoor | N/A | Lost Final |
| 2005-06 | N/A | PASL Indoor | 2nd, South Central | |
| 2006-07 | N/A | PASL Indoor | 1st South Central | |
| 2007-08 | N/A | PASL Indoor | 3rd, South Central |
Honors
- USL PDL Mid South Division Champions 2001
- USL D-3 Pro League Southern Division Champions 2000
- USISL Pro League Central Division Champions 1996
Head coaches
Ken Muhall (1989) Caesar CervinCaesar Cervin
Caesar Cervin is a retired American soccer forward who coached the Texas Outlaws of the Professional Arena Soccer League. He played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League, United Soccer League and Southwest Indoor Soccer League...
(1991) Ed Puskarich
Ed Puskarich
Ed Puskarich is a retired U.S. soccer defender who had an extensive career which began in 1984 in the United Soccer League and ended in the Premier Development League. In between, he played in the American Indoor Soccer Association, National Professional Soccer League, USISL and Major League Soccer...
(1998, 2001–2003) Bernard Brodigan (2004) Paul Robinson (2005–2010)
Stadia
- Pennington FieldPennington FieldPennington Field is a multi-purpose stadium located in Bedford, Texas. The 12,000-capacity facility is primarily used for local high school football teams Trinity High School and L.D. Bell High School. It is owned by the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. The stadium is also used...
; Bedford, TexasBedford, TexasBedford is a suburban city located in northeast Tarrant County, Texas, in the "Mid-Cities" area between Dallas and Fort Worth. It is a suburb of Fort Worth. The population was 46,979 at the 2010 census...
(2004–2010) - Pizza Hut ParkPizza Hut ParkPizza Hut Park is a soccer-specific stadium with a 21,193-seat capacity, built and owned by the city of Frisco, Texas. Its primary tenant is Major League Soccer team FC Dallas, which relocated from the Cotton Bowl in central Dallas to the fast-growing suburb...
; Frisco, TexasFrisco, TexasFrisco is an affluent city in Collin and Denton Counties in the U.S. state of Texas and a rapidly growing suburb of Dallas. As of the 2010 Census, 116,989 people were living in Frisco up from 33,714 in the previous census. Frisco was the fastest growing city in the United States in 2009, and also...
(2010)
Average attendance
Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html.- 2005: 207
- 2006: 349
- 2007: 389
- 2008: 320
- 2009: 188
- 2010: 179