Houston Hurricane
Houston, Texas1978-1980
Shop Houston Hurricane tees, long sleeve tees, hoodies and crewnecks. The Hurricane went 22-8 in 1979 and won the Central Division, yet drew only about 6,200 fans a game to an Astrodome that held well over 35,000. Coach Timo Liekoski was named Coach of the Year. Pick a style below, then read the full Hurricane history further down. We are an American small business bringing back the signs and logos of places and teams that are long gone but remembered fondly.
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Houston Hurricane History
The Houston Hurricane, based in Houston, Texas, played three seasons, 1978 to 1980, in North America's top pro soccer league. The team was the last of six clubs added for 1978 and had about three months to sign players and sell tickets. Home was the Astrodome. Hans Von Mende chaired the ownership group, and Timo Liekoski, a former assistant in Dallas, coached.
The first game was a 3-2 road win in Los Angeles on April 2, 1978. It did not predict much. The team finished 10-20, last in its division.
In 1979 the Hurricane went 22-8, won the Central Division and had the second-best record in the league. Liekoski was named Coach of the Year. Kyle Rote Jr. and Finnish midfielder Kai Haaskivi both came from Dallas, Argentine striker Eduardo Marasco scored 12 goals, and English goalkeeper Paul Hammond made the league's second all-star team. Philadelphia then beat them twice in the first playoff round.
The crowds did not follow the results. The team averaged about 6,200 a game in 1979 and 5,818 in 1980, in a building that held well over 35,000. A 14-18 record in 1980 still reached the playoffs, where Edmonton knocked them out. The last game was played in Edmonton on August 31, 1980. In November the league announced that the club was closing.