Sockadillos, Lone Stars, Lightning

Austin’s rich soccer history includes teams which have competed in the Southwest Indoor Soccer League (SISL), USISL, and United Soccer Leagues during 23 of the last 25 years. The first expansion team in the SISL, the Sockadillos featured such local stars as Steve Bailey, Saeed Kadkhodaian, Brian Monaghan, Uwe Balzis, and Chris Veselka. The tradition continued as the Austin Lone Stars fielded new stars including Gabe Jones, Marc Madeley, and Ben Crawley. Marcel Uriarte earned league honors with the Austin Lightning.

Austin Aztex U23s

The Austin Aztex team that competed in the PDL in 2008 was led by Coach of the Year Wolfgang Suhnholz, and included Goalkeeper of the Year, Miguel Gallardo, and Defender of the Year, Beto Papandrea. Twenty-one players that competed on the 2008 and 2009 squads have gone on to play professionally, including current MLS players, Austin da Luz (DC United) and Matt Gold (Toronto FC).

Gallardo, Zack Pope, AJ Goldbolt, Josh Alcala, Kieron Bernard, Wes Allen, and Jamie Watson went on to star for the Aztex professional side, while Ryan Mirsky, Jeff Harwell, Kyle Helton, and Kendall McFayden were pulled up to the pro roster once their PDL duties were completed.

From Austin to the World

Most recently, Aztex PDL alums Chris Spendlove, Andres Cuero, and Jamie Scope played with the Wilmington Hammerheads, Chris Salvagionne was a member of the Charlotte Eagles, and Gary Boughton played with FC New York. Former Aztex PDL players competing overseas include Jamie Cunningham with the Puerto Rico Islanders, Roger Da Costa who is playing in South Africa with the Moroka Swallows, and Euan Holden with Stockport County Football Club.

Kendall McFayden went on to lift the championship trophy with the Kitsap Pumas in the PDL, while Milton Blanco was selected as the PDL MVP after leading the league in points and assists with the Fresno Fuego.