Season Winding Down For PDL’s Houston Leones

By: Jeremy | July 8th, 2009

It has been a while since my last update on the PDL’s Houston Leones. They have had several road games in recent weeks and it hasn’t gone too well as they were outscored 13-0 in 4 games. After the match this Friday against the Austin Aztex U-23 club, they will finally return home for the final two contests of the season.

This is a team in desperate need of fan support. Out of 68 teams that make up the PDL, the Leones are the only winless side. But don’t shy away because they are winless. Embrace them because they are winless. You know a Houston team (or a team very near Houston) cannot be held down for long. The wins will soon come. Besides, it’s easier to hitch your wagon to a horse that isn’t running. That makes sense, doesn’t it? No? What I’m saying is… don’t be one of those annoying bandwagon people that only cheer for the winning team. It’s ok to support an underdog, really.

Yesterday, I reminded Coach Rios of my continued support.

I just wanted to let you know we’re still cheering for you. I know the last few games have been rough, but we’ll still be here until the wins come our way. With the season almost over, what do you think has been the biggest struggle so far? What is keeping the team from being more successful?

First of all thank you for all your support, the biggest problem is that the team was built around older players that their number one priority is not soccer, and a lot of times most of them don’t make it to practice because they have work or other responsibilities. Until this point in the season we have not been able to come up with the same starting line up any of the games. It is always changing, but we keep working hard with what we have. Some of the games the final score looks really bad, but we had a chance to go up on the scoreboard everytime we just couldn’t put it in.

Also, we have approximately 6 players that are U -18 that are getting substantial playing time, which is going to be good for us next season. I want to invite all the players from Houston that are interested on playing next year to get in touch with us because we are going to be watching the youth leagues, high school games, some of the open leagues and of course the Universities we have in Houston. To start inviting players to be part of a successful season next year.

The final two home games of the year are scheduled for July 18th against El Paso, and July 19th against Dallas-Fort Worth. Please come out and support your local team. If you enjoy a grassroots “minor-league” atmosphere, then come out to Soccer World Center in Richmond. Tickets are $8, but the past two games I’ve been to they haven’t been charging at all (except $5 parking).

Maybe next season we can put together an official support group. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. (jeremy.dynamo@yahoo.com)

Dallas sucks.