Austin Lightning
Full nameAustin Lightning
Nickname(s)The Lightning
Founded2002
Dissolved2007
GroundTony Burger Center
Capacity15,000
OwnerPaul Bender (minority)[1]
ChairmanPam Mimbela
ManagerJaime Mimbela
CoachChris Veselka
LeagueUSL Premier Development League
20077th, Mid South Division

Austin Lightning was an amateur American soccer team. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.


History

Austin Lightning was founded in 2001, originally with the name Lafayette Lightning. The team played as the Lafayette Lightning for the 2001 PDL season, finishing 2nd in the Mid-South Division.[2] When the Austin Lone Stars were relegated from USL D3 Pro League in 2000 season and subsequently folded before the 2001 season started.[2]Austin had no major soccer team in the city. This allowed the Lightning to transfer from Layfayette to Austin under the leadership of player/coach Chris Veselka. The team played their home games at St. Stephen's Episcopal School (Austin, Texas).[3] After two years as the only team in town, Jonathan Langer was looking to bring a professional team back to town in the form of Austin Posse,[4] but the team ceased operation after three exhibition games.[5] The team played its home games for their final seasons at the Tony Burger Center in the city of Austin, Texas.[6] The team dissolved in 2007 and were reborn as the Austin Stampede under some of the same management and with a new coach.[7][8]

Year-by-year

Year Division League Regular Season Playoffs Open Cup
2002 4 USL PDL 3rd, Mid South Did not qualify Did not qualify
2003 4 USL PDL 5th, Mid South Did not qualify Did not qualify
2004 4 USL PDL 7th, Mid South Did not qualify Did not qualify
2005 4 USL PDL 3rd, Mid South Did not qualify Did not qualify
2006 4 USL PDL 5th, Mid South Did not qualify Did not qualify
2007 4 USL PDL 7th, Mid South Did not qualify Did not qualify

Coaches

Notable alumni

Stadia

Average attendance

  • 2007: 282
  • 2006: 261
  • 2005: 197

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Barbaro, Nick (June 22, 2007). "Venue Change for the Lightning – Again". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Litterer, David (June 16, 2011). "Premier Development League". www.RSSSF.org. The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "Soccer". Austin American-Statesman. March 2, 2002. Retrieved November 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Higgins, Connor (February 13, 2004). "Posse hoping to round up support". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Higgins, Connor (May 22, 2004). "Posse abandons bid to bring pro soccer to Austin". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 Barbaro, Nick (May 2, 2007). "Austin Lightning Get Their Season Started and More Soccer News". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  7. ↑ Barbaro, Nick (January 3, 2008). "Bye bye, Austin Lightning; hello, Austin Stampede". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  8. ↑ Barbaro, Nick (November 15, 2007). "Horns Win Big 12 Title; Dynamo in MLS Cup; Euro Qualifying". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Davis, Danny (July 21, 2007). "Bad weather, departures hit Lightning". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Barbaro, Nick (June 27, 2007). "Lightning Update, U.S. Wins Gold Cup, and More". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  11. ↑ Barbaro, Nick (May 10, 2007). "Austin Lightning Moves Home Games to House Park". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
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