Texas Premier Soccer League
The Texas Premier Soccer League (TPSL) was a men's outdoor soccer league that was formed in 2013 consisting of amateur soccer club sides across the state.
 | |
| Organising body | US Club Soccer United States Soccer Federation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| Folded | 2019 |
| Country | USA |
| Number of teams | 5 |
| Domestic cup(s) | U.S. Open Cup |
| League cup(s) | Texas Cup |
| Last champions | Pachuca Tuzos Houston (2019) |
| Current Shield | TPSL Shield |
| Most championships | Austin Real Cuauhtemoc FC (3) |
The TPSL was sanctioned by US Club Soccer,[1][2] an affiliate member of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). Each team was individually owned and operated and are responsible for maintaining the league's minimum standards and for raising their own operating revenue.
History
Formed in 2013, the league was developed by Brendan Keyes, Head Coach of the Houston Hurricanes FC.[3] As league President, Keyes commenced negotiations from May 2013 with several local teams, and after the addition of five more clubs, the TPSL was formed with a view to starting play in September 2013 and an eye on expanding the league in future years.
On September 21, 2013 at Fox and Hound in Houston, all six founding member clubs appeared at a press conference in front of friends and family to officially unveil the clubs, rosters, uniforms and sponsors.
In September 2013 six clubs (BCS Bearkatz FC, Galveston Pirate SC, Houston Dutch Lions, Houston Hurricanes FC, Houston Leones FC, Houston Regals SCA) opened play, beginning with a series of league matches.[4] Clubs would break for Texas Cup action over the winter, before returning in February to complete the league regular season.
For the 2014–15 season Austin Real Cuauhtemoc FC, Ranchero King FC, Texas Timberz FC were added to the league alongside returning Twin Cities Hurricanes FC and Galveston.[5] three of the six original clubs did not return for a second season.
The 2015–16 season kicked off with an additional six new clubs: Austin Lonestrikers FC, Brownsville Bravos FC, Dallas Clash SC, Lockhart Knights FC, San Antonio Generals FC and Temple United FC.[6][7] Galveston and Ranchero King dropped out from the league after the conclusion of season two while Texas Timberz went on hiatus, but will still compete in the Texas Cup.
The final season was played in the 2018–2019 year, the league giving way to the expanding UPSL.
League structure
Regular season
The regular season typically runs from September to March.
Each side plays one home and one away match against each club during the league season. The regular season winners receive the TPSL Supporters Shield. The league playoff championship winners take home the league trophy which will be returned prior to the following years conclusion of play.
Should teams be equal on points at the end of the regular season, the following format will decide playoff placements: goal difference, head-to-head wins, goals scored
To decide the championship, the top four sides from the regular season will play in a single-elimination seeded playoff format, with the winners from the two semifinal matches meeting each other in the final.
Championship Playoffs
- Semifinal A - Seed 1 v Seed 4
- Semifinal B - Seed 2 v Seed 3
- Championship Final - Winner Game A v Winner Game B
Clubs
| Team | City | Venue | Joined TPSL | President | Head Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armadillos FC | Houston | San Jacinto Sportsplex | 2019 | Alberto Escobar | Alberto Escobar |
| Athletic Katy FC | Katy | Matias Almeyda Training Center | 2018 | Raul Flores | Julio Valencia |
| Celtic FC America | League City | Clear Springs Stadium | 2013 | Brendan Keyes | Brendan Keyes |
| Pachuca Tuzos Houston | Houston | George Bush Park | 2018 | Ricardo Alacron | Ricardo Alacron |
| West Houston Aguilas | Houston | NRG Stadium | 2019 | Ubaldo Lucio | Ubaldo Lucio |
Former member clubs
- Austin Lonestrikers FC (2015–16)
- BCS Bearkatz FC (2013–14)
- Brownsville Bravos FC (2015–16)
- Central Texas Lobos FC (2016–17)
- Dallas Clash SC (2015–16)
- Galveston Pirate SC (2013–15)
- Houston Dutch Lions (2013–14)
- Houston Fury FC (2017–18)
- Houston Leones FC (2013–14)
- Houston Regals SCA (2013–14)
- Lockhart Knights FC (2014–15)
- Ranchero King FC (2014–15)
- San Antonio Generals FC (2015–16)
- Temple United FC (2015–16)
- Texas Timberz FC (2014–15)
- Twin Cities FC (2014–18)
Cup competition
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Austin Real Cuauhtemoc FC entered qualification for the 2016 competition playing their match with NTX Rayados in Georgetown, Texas on November 1, 2015. The game ended in a 4-2 loss for ARC.[8]
Texas Cup
TPSL clubs compete in an annual cup competition with the winner taking home the US Club Soccer-sanctioned Texas Cup. The series of matches take place during the winter break or after the regular season and championship playoffs have concluded.
| Year | Winner | Runner up | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Houston Dutch Lions | Houston Hurricanes FC | 3-3 (5-4 PKs)[9] |
| 2015 | Austin Real Cuauhtemoc FC | Galveston Pirate SC | 4-2[10][11] |
| 2016 | Austin Real Cuauhtemoc FC | Houston Hurricanes FC | 3-1 |
| 2017 | Central Texas Lobos FC | Austin Real Cuahutemoc FC | 2-2 (4-3 PKs) |
| 2018 | Bay Area Hurricanes FC | Twin Cities FC | 3-2[12] |
Champions
| Season | TPSL Shield (regular season) | TPSL Cup (playoffs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | Houston Dutch Lions | Regals SCA |
| 2014–15 | Houston Hurricanes FC | Austin Real Cuauhtemoc FC |
| 2015–16 | Dallas Clash SC | Austin Real Cuauhtemoc FC |
| 2016–17 | Twin Cities FC | Austin Real Cuauhtemoc FC |
| 2017–18 | Twin Cities FC | Twin Cities FC |
| 2018-19 | Bay Area Hurricanes FC | Pachuca Tuzos Houston |
Staff
- President - Alberto Escobar
- Vice President -Brendan Keyes
References
- "Belize international player signs with TPSL club Houston Hurricanes FC". Houston Chronicle. 7 June 2014.
- "Former EPL Player Signs to Houston Hurricanes of TPSL". Non League America. 6 November 2015.
- "Learning From Success and Failure: Brendan Keyes of the Texas Premier Soccer League". American Pyramid. 11 August 2016.
- "Houston Dutch Lions FC Joins Texas Premier Soccer League". Houston Dutch Lions FC. 2 July 2013.
- "Galvaston Pirate SC Under New Management". The Soccer Junkies. 25 March 2014.
- "Lockhart Knights to play in Texas Premier Soccer League". HSN 11 News. 13 December 2013.
- "Houston Hurricanes FC offers high level soccer for area fans". Bay Area Houston Magazine. 1 April 2016.
- "NTX Rayados' quest for five still alive with win over Austin Real Cuauhtemoc". TheCup.us. 1 November 2015.
- "Houston Dutch Lions Bring Home the Inaugural Admiral Texas Cup". Houston Dutch Lions. 2 December 2013.
- "The Battle Over Texas". Goal Nation. 10 February 2015.
- "Austin take silverware from Texas State Cup Final". 10 Soccer. 24 February 2015.
- "Hurricanes Texas State Cup Winners". Texas Premier Soccer League. 22 May 2018.