Houston Leones
Encyclopedia
Houston Leones was an American soccer team based in Houston, Texas
, United States
. Founded in 2007, 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 the soccer-specific Soccer World Center in nearby Richmond, Texas
. The team's colors were blue and white.
The Leones were an official minor league affiliate of Mexican Premier League
team Cruz Azul.
in front of 500 fans, and with a squad featuring several junior players from Mexican side Cruz Azul, who were spending time with their new Texan affiliate for match experience; unfortunately, this was something of a false dawn as the men from Richmond lost their next three games on the trot, conceding five goals with no reply. Two more victories in late May, 3-0 over Mississippi Brilla
and 2-1 over El Paso Patriots
looked to have righted the ship, but this proved to be the last hurrah, as they failed to win another game all season. As June turned into July, the Leones' on-field performances got progressively worse and worse: they lost four close games on the bounce and then, as some of players returned to the Cruz Azul junior team for the beginning of the 2008/09 Mexican Clausura, the second string defence absolutely fell apart.
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.
Eric Quill
The Soccer World Center is a 17 acres (68,796.6 m²) soccer-specific facility which comprises three fields (including a 4,500-seat stadium field that is expandable to 8,000-10,000), and was built by team owner Juan Carlos Hernández.
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2007, 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 the soccer-specific Soccer World Center in nearby Richmond, Texas
Richmond, Texas
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,081 people, 3,413 households, and 2,628 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,975.4 people per square mile . There were 3,595 housing units at an average density of 965.3 per square mile...
. The team's colors were blue and white.
The Leones were an official minor league affiliate of Mexican Premier League
Primera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
team Cruz Azul.
History
The Leones' first season in competition began on a hugely positive note, with a 3-0 opening day victory at home to the New Orleans Shell ShockersNew Orleans Shell Shockers
New Orleans Jesters is an American soccer team based in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games...
in front of 500 fans, and with a squad featuring several junior players from Mexican side Cruz Azul, who were spending time with their new Texan affiliate for match experience; unfortunately, this was something of a false dawn as the men from Richmond lost their next three games on the trot, conceding five goals with no reply. Two more victories in late May, 3-0 over Mississippi Brilla
Mississippi Brilla
Mississippi Brilla is an American soccer club based in Jackson, Mississippi, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games at...
and 2-1 over El Paso Patriots
El Paso Patriots
Chivas El Paso Patriots is an American soccer team based in El Paso, Texas, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games at...
looked to have righted the ship, but this proved to be the last hurrah, as they failed to win another game all season. As June turned into July, the Leones' on-field performances got progressively worse and worse: they lost four close games on the bounce and then, as some of players returned to the Cruz Azul junior team for the beginning of the 2008/09 Mexican Clausura, the second string defence absolutely fell apart.
Final roster
This list is a historical record of the final group of players on the last Leones roster for their final game in August 2010. Source: http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/2010/8969397.html#ROSTERNotable former players
- See also: All-time Houston Leones rosterAll-time Houston Leones rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for Houston Leones since the team's first season in the USL Premier Development League in 2008...
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.
Eric Quill
Eric Quill
Eric Quill is an American soccer player currently playing for Houston Leones in the USL Premier Development League.-College:...
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 | USL PDL | 8th, Mid South | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 4 | USL PDL | 7th, Mid South | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2010 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Mid South | Conference Finals | Did not qualify |
Head coaches
Carlos Ayala (2008) Rafael Lopez (2009) Rogelio Martinez (2009) Cuauhtemoc Rios (2010)Stadia
- Soccer World Center, Richmond, TexasRichmond, Texas-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,081 people, 3,413 households, and 2,628 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,975.4 people per square mile . There were 3,595 housing units at an average density of 965.3 per square mile...
(2008–2010)
The Soccer World Center is a 17 acres (68,796.6 m²) soccer-specific facility which comprises three fields (including a 4,500-seat stadium field that is expandable to 8,000-10,000), and was built by team owner Juan Carlos Hernández.
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.- 2008: 294
- 2009: 166
- 2010: 112