Dallas Sidekicks
Encyclopedia
| Dallas Sidekicks | |
| Team history | 1983 (Founded) 1984 - 2004 |
| Arena | Reunion Arena Reunion Arena Reunion Arena was an indoor arena, in the Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas . It held 18,293 for basketball and 17,001 for ice hockey.It was demolished in November 2009 and the site was cleared by the end of the year.-History:... 1984 - 2004 |
| Based in | Dallas, Texas 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... |
| Colors | green & white (original)/purple & black (later) |
| Leagues | MISL I Major Soccer League The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States... , CISL Continental Indoor Soccer League The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to... , WISL World Indoor Soccer League The World Indoor Soccer League was a United States based indoor soccer league that existed from 1998 to 2001 and consisted of nine teams.-History:... , MISL II Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008) The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008... |
The Dallas Sidekicks were one of the longest operating professional soccer teams, either indoor
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
or outdoor
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
, in the United States, based in Dallas, Texas
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...
, and operating from 1984 until suspending operations following the 2004 season. The team was founded as a member of the original Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
. Over the years, the team played in three other leagues (CISL
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
, WISL
World Indoor Soccer League
The World Indoor Soccer League was a United States based indoor soccer league that existed from 1998 to 2001 and consisted of nine teams.-History:...
, and the second incarnation of the MISL
Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
. The team's most famous player was Tatu
Tatu (soccer)
Antonio Carlos Pecorari , commonly known as Tatu, is a former Brazilian football player, one of the most accomplished indoor soccer players of all time....
, who was known for throwing his shirt into the stands after every goal. The team hosted the 1989 MISL All-Star Game
1989 MISL All-Star Game
10th MISL All-Star Game : at Reunion Arena in Dallas Texas, Feb. 22, 1989MVP: PrekiCoaches: MISL-All Star: n/a, Dallas Sidekicks: Gordon Jago.-Score by Periods: *Officials: Esse Baharmast, Kelly Mock and Manuel Ortiz,Sr.*Attendance: 10,435....
.
Although the team has not played since 2004, there have been published rumors ever since about the team's return. So far, these rumors have not panned out.
Honors
Championships- 1986-87 MISL
- 1993 CISL
- 1998 PSA
- 2001 WISL
Division Titles
- 1989-90 MISL Western Division
- 1993 CISL Regular Season
- 1994 CISL Eastern Division
- 1998 PSA Regular Season
- 2003-04 MISL II Western Division
Rivalry
During the MISL I days, the Sidekicks main rivals were the San Diego Sockers, Tacoma Stars, and Minnesota Strikers.During the late 1990s, a rivalry developed between the Sidekicks and Monterrey La Raza
Monterrey La Raza (1992-2001)
The original Monterrey La Raza was a professional indoor soccer team based in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. The team was founded on December 29, 1992 as a member of the Continental Indoor Soccer League. After the CISL folded, the La Raza took one season off and attempted to join the National...
.
Head coaches
The following table shows each coach's record while with the Sidekicks. (Since some coached other Indoor Soccer teams, their overall record may differ.)| Year | Coach | Record (including playoffs) | Gordon Jago Gordon Jago Gordon Harold Jago MBE is a former English association football player and manager.Born in Poplar, London, Jago began his career in the Football League with , whom he joined in the 1954–55 season from non-league team . He made a total of 147 appearances, scoring one goal, at The Valley... | 263-230 | 2 Championship victories (1986-87 in the MISL and 1993 in the CISL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989-1991 | Billy Phillips Billy Phillips Billy Phillips is a former U.S. soccer goalkeeper who played three seasons in the North American Soccer League, six in the Major Indoor Soccer League and later coached the Dallas Sidekicks for two seasons.... |
58-57 | 1 Western Division Title (1989-90 in the MISL ) |
| 1998-2004 | Tatu Tatu (soccer) Antonio Carlos Pecorari , commonly known as Tatu, is a former Brazilian football player, one of the most accomplished indoor soccer players of all time.... |
70-56 | 2 Championship victories (1998 and 2001 in the WISL) |
Retired uniform numbers
- #5 Mike Powers 1987-2001
- #8 Wes McLeodWes McLeodWes McLeod is a retired Canadian soccer player who earned eighteen caps with the Canadian national soccer team.-Professional:...
1986-1992 - #10 Kevin Smith 1984-92, 1995-98
- #22 Doc LawsonDoc LawsonAldophus “Doc” Lawson is a former American soccer defender best known for his long indoor career. Lawson played the third most games in the history of the original MISL. He also spent four seasons in the North American Soccer League. Known for his tenacious defending, Doc earned the nickname,...
1985-91 - #31 Krys Sobieski 1985-91
- (Gordon Jago) Head Coach/General Manager 1984-98
Notable players and personalities
{||valign="top"|
Tatu
Tatu (soccer)
Antonio Carlos Pecorari , commonly known as Tatu, is a former Brazilian football player, one of the most accomplished indoor soccer players of all time....
Krys Sobieski
Krys Sobieski
Krzysztof "Krys" Sobieski is a retired Polish football goalkeeper who played professionally in Poland and the United States, including ten seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He spent five seasons as the goalkeeper coach with the Dallas Burn of Major League Soccer.-Club:In 1964, Sobieski...
(Goalkeeper #31) Jim Tolbert (General Manager) Manny Andruszewski
Manny Andruszewski
Emanuel Franciszek Andruszewski, born 4 October 1955 in Eastleigh, Hampshire of Polish parents, is a former footballer who played for Southampton F.C. He played at full back and centre back during the late 1970s.-Southampton:...
(1984–85) 23 apps 0 goals Alan Balthrop (team historian) Don Carter (original team owner & founder) Billy Caskey
Billy Caskey
Billy Caskey is a retired professional soccer midfielder from Northern Ireland. He played in the Irish Football League, Football League, North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League...
(1985–86) 42 games 26 goals http://www.kicksfan.com/players/caskey/index.htm Charlie Cooke
Charlie Cooke (footballer)
Charles 'Charlie' Cooke is a former Scottish footballer. He was a talented and skilful winger who played for Aberdeen, Dundee, Chelsea and Crystal Palace before ending his career in the United States....
(1985) Player/Assistant Manager Eric Dade
Eric Dade
Eric Dade is a retired American soccer defender who played professionally in the National Professional Soccer League, Continental Indoor Soccer League and Major League Soccer.-Player:...
David Doyle
David Doyle (soccer)
David Doyle is an Irish soccer forward who spent seventeen seasons playing indoor soccer in the United States...
Frank Filo
Frank Filo
Frank Filo is a retired American soccer defender who spend most of his career with the Dallas Sidekicks. He also played two seasons in the USISL and part of one season with the Cleveland Crunch in the National Professional Soccer League.Filo attended Arkansas-Little Rock University. In 1994, he...
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...
Brad Flanagan Howard Gayle
Howard Gayle
Howard Gayle was the first black player to play for Liverpool.-Career:He was at the club for six years but was only given a total of five first team matches, later playing for several clubs including Birmingham City and Sunderland...
(1986–87) Humble Billy Hayes
Humble Billy Hayes
"Humble" Billy Hayes is an American public address announcer for the San Antonio Spurs basketball team of the NBA.He also served as the public address voice of the Dallas Sidekicks indoor soccer team. and the Dallas Mavericks In addition, Hayes used to host a morning radio show on KDBN, "the Bone,"...
(public address announcer) Norm Hitzges
Norm Hitzges
Norman R. Hitzges is an author and sports talk radio host at KTCK in Dallas, Texas. Hitzges moved to KTCK after sister station KLIF removed sports talk programming from its lineup....
(television/radio play-by-play announcer) DJ Horvath Godfrey Ingram
Godfrey Ingram
Godfrey Patrick Ingram is a retired English professional footballer who played as a striker. Active in England, Wales and the United States, Ingram made over 440 career league appearances, and scored over 270 league goals.-Career:...
(1988–89) 39 apps 32 goals Mark Karpun Steve Kinsey (1989–90) Martin Nash Joe Papaleo
Joe Papaleo
Joe Papaleo is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and the Continental Indoor Soccer League. He was the 1990 MISL Goalkeeper of the Year and the 1993 CISL Goalkeeper of the Year...
Stephen Parker (athletic trainer) Beto Brad Flanagan Billy Phillips
Billy Phillips
Billy Phillips is a former U.S. soccer goalkeeper who played three seasons in the North American Soccer League, six in the Major Indoor Soccer League and later coached the Dallas Sidekicks for two seasons....
Mike Powers
Mike Powers (soccer)
Mike Powers is a retired American soccer midfielder who played sixteen years with the Dallas Sidekicks. He also played in the second American Soccer League and the United Soccer League....
Ed Radwanski
Ed Radwanski
-Honors:Championships*Dallas Sidekicks: 1987*Dallas Rockets: 1991*Greensboro Dynamo: 1993, 1994USISL MPV: 1993USISL Championship MVP: 1993Southern Conference Coach of the Year: 2006...
Shawn Ray Jeff Agoos Sagu Patrick Shamu Kevin Smith (soccer)|Kevin Smith]] (1984-93: 1995-98) 454 apps 155 goals Nick Stavrou
Nick Stavrou
Nicholas "Nick" Stavrou is a former English football midfielder who played thirteen years with the Dallas Sidekicks.-College:...
David Stride
David Stride
David Stride is a retired English professional footballer who played in both England and the United States.-Career:Stride began his career with Chelsea in 1978. That year, he went on loan with the Memphis Rogues of the North American Soccer League. In 1980, Chelsea sold Stride's contract to the...
(1985–88) 117 apps 13 goals Rusty Troy Terry Woodberry
Terry Woodberry
Terry Woodberry, also spelled as Terry Woodbury, is a former English-American football midfielder who spent his entire career playing indoor soccer in the United States. He was also a member of the U.S...
Roderick Scott Kyle Owen Mickey Kydes
Mickey Kydes
Mickey Kydes is a retired American soccer midfielder who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League, USISL and Major League Soccer. He also spent three seasons in Greece and several in the semi-professional Cosmopolitan Soccer League.-Youth:Kydes played soccer at Norwalk High School...
Mark Lugris
Arenas
- Reunion ArenaReunion ArenaReunion Arena was an indoor arena, in the Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas . It held 18,293 for basketball and 17,001 for ice hockey.It was demolished in November 2009 and the site was cleared by the end of the year.-History:...
1984-2004 - American Airlines CenterAmerican Airlines CenterThe American Airlines Center is a multi-purpose arena, located in the Victory Park neighborhood, near downtown Dallas, Texas.It is home to the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, and the Dallas Stars of the NHL....
2001 (one game) - Inwood Soccer Center 1986-04 (Practice facility & Exhibition games)
Individual Honors
TatuTatu (soccer)
Antonio Carlos Pecorari , commonly known as Tatu, is a former Brazilian football player, one of the most accomplished indoor soccer players of all time....
4 championships Krys Sobieski
Krys Sobieski
Krzysztof "Krys" Sobieski is a retired Polish football goalkeeper who played professionally in Poland and the United States, including ten seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He spent five seasons as the goalkeeper coach with the Dallas Burn of Major League Soccer.-Club:In 1964, Sobieski...
2 championships David Doyle
David Doyle (soccer)
David Doyle is an Irish soccer forward who spent seventeen seasons playing indoor soccer in the United States...
3 championships Frank Filo
Frank Filo
Frank Filo is a retired American soccer defender who spend most of his career with the Dallas Sidekicks. He also played two seasons in the USISL and part of one season with the Cleveland Crunch in the National Professional Soccer League.Filo attended Arkansas-Little Rock University. In 1994, he...
3 championships Nick Stavrou
Nick Stavrou
Nicholas "Nick" Stavrou is a former English football midfielder who played thirteen years with the Dallas Sidekicks.-College:...
3 championships
Year-by-year
{| class="wikitable"|bgcolor="#FFCCCC"|League Champions
|bgcolor="#FFE6BD"|Runners-Up
|bgcolor="#D0E7FF"|Division/League Champions*
|bgcolor="#96CDCD"|Playoff Berth
|}
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!League
!Reg. Season
!GF
!GA
!Pct
!Finish
!Playoffs
!Owner(s)
! Attendance Average
! Slogan
|-
| 1984-85||MISL || 12-36 || 194 || 286 || .250 || 7th West || Out of Playoffs || Donald Carter || 4,969 || N/A
|-
| 1985-86||MISL || 25-23 || 220 || 231 || .521 || bgcolor="#96CDCD"|3rd East || Lost Quarterfinal || Donald Carter || 6,654 || It'll knock yer socks off!
|-
| 1986-87**||MISL || 28-24 || 209 || 197 || .538 || 3rd East || bgcolor="#FFCCCC"|Won Championship || Stan Finney, Jan Rogers, Joe Shea || 8,637 || The wild side of soccer!
|-
| 1987-88||MISL|| 28-28 || 200 || 204 || .500 || bgcolor="#96CDCD"|3rd East || Lost Division Semifinal || Stan Finney, Jan Rogers, Joe Shea || 9,878 || Never Say Die
|-
| 1988-89||MISL || 24-24 || 185 || 206 || .500 || bgcolor="#96CDCD"|3rd MISL || Lost Semifinal || Stan Finney, Jan Rogers, Joe Shea || 8,567 ||Get your kicks
|-
| 1989-90||MISL || 31-21 || 217 || 190 || .596 || bgcolor="#D0E7FF"|1st West || Lost Division Final || David Paschal || 9,004 || N/A
|-
| 1990-91||MSL || 20-32|| 257 || 294 || .385 || 4th West || Out of Playoffs || Phill Cobb || 6,920 || N/A
|-
| 1991-92||MSL || 22-18 || 231 || 229 || .550 || bgcolor="#96CDCD"|2nd MISL || bgcolor="#FFE6BD"|Lost Final || Donald Carter || 7,003 || N/A
|-
| 1993||CISL || 23-5 || 230 || 150 || .821 || bgcolor="#D0E7FF"|1st CISL || bgcolor="#FFCCCC"|Won Championship || Donald Carter || 5,800 || N/A
|-
| 1994||CISL || 24-4 || 255 || 160 || .857 || bgcolor="#D0E7FF"|1st East || bgcolor="#FFE6BD"|Lost Final || Donald Carter || 7,310 || N/A
|-
| 1995||CISL || 18-10 || 215 || 165 || .643 || bgcolor="#96CDCD"|2nd East || Lost Semifinal || Donald Carter || 9,380 || N/A
|-
| 1996||CISL || 16-12 || 186 || 167 || .571 || bgcolor="#96CDCD"|3rd East || Lost Semifinal || Sonny Willams, Donald Carter || 9,202 || Hot Soccer Cool Seat
|-
| 1997||CISL || 13-15 || 165 || 160 || .464 || bgcolor="#96CDCD"|4th East || Lost Quarterfinal || Sonny Willams, Donald Carter || 9,212 || Major League Fun
|-
||1998|| PSA || 8-2 ||N/A ||N/A || .800 || bgcolor="#D0E7FF"|1st WISL || bgcolor="#FFCCCC"|Won Championship || Sonny Willams, Donald Carter || 9,167 || N/A
|-
|1999||WISL || 17-5 || 127 || 88 || .773 || bgcolor="#96CDCD"|2nd WISL || bgcolor="#FFE6BD"|Lost Final || Sonny Willams, Donald Carter || 8,860 || N/A
|-
| 2000||WISL || 17-7 || 153 || 107 || .708 || bgcolor="#96CDCD"|2nd WISL || bgcolor="#FFE6BD"|Lost Final || Sonny Willams, Donald Carter || 7,482 || N/A
|-
| 2001||WISL || 14-10 || 109 || 108 || .583 || 2nd WISL || bgcolor="#FFCCCC"|Won Championship || Sonny Willams, Donald Carter || 8,640 || Not Your Ordinary Soccer
|-
| 2002-03||MISL II || 9-27 || 342 || 427 || .250 || 4th West || Out of Playoffs || Sonny Willams || 7,851 || Fast and Furious
|-
| 2003-04||MISL II|| 21-15 || 213 || 167 || .583 || bgcolor="#D0E7FF"|1st West || Lost Semifinal || Sonny Willams || 5,756 || N/A
|}
- *There were 7 seasons where the league the Sidekicks were competing in did not feature divisions, so there was a regular season number one seed, or league champion, before the playoffs began.
- **This 1986-87 Sidekicks team was inducted into the 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...
Texans Credit Union Walk of Fame. Known forever in Dallas as the "Never Say Die" season, the Dallas Sidekicks defeated a heavily favored Tacoma Stars squad to win the 1987 MISL Championship. Down three games to two in a best-of-seven series, the Sidekicks won the final two games 5-4 and 4-3 respectively, both in overtime and both in front of sold-out arenas in Tacoma and Dallas.