- Orlando Lions
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- For the current Orlando soccer team that uses the nickname "Lions", see Orlando City S.C.
The Orlando Lions was an American soccer team from Orlando, Florida which existed from 1985 to 1996. Over the years, the Lions competed at both the amateur and professional levels including some seasons as an independent team.
The Lions is a nickname that has persisted in the area in connection with later efforts to bring pro soccer to the area. It is used as a nickname for the current Orlando City S.C. team, which will play in the third-tier USL Pro league beginning in 2011.
Contents
ASL/APSL
Founded in 1985, the Orlando Lions joined the third incarnation of the American Soccer League in 1988. The team joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 when the ASL merged with the Western Alliance. They merged with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers after the 1990 season. The club played in Orlando, Florida.
Former Players
Tom Elias (1985)[1]- Frank Arlasky (1989)[2]
- Greg Brick (1990-1993)
- Justin Bryant (1988)
- Rod Castro (1989) [3]
Paul Dougherty (1990)- Oscar Draguicevich (1990)
- Mark Francis (1988-89)
Brian Haynes (1990) 20 Apps 9 Goals
Sebastian Janikowski at U-19 level, NFL placekicker- Lou Karbiener (1988) [4]
- Mark Lamb (1988) [5]
- Bob Lilley (1989-90)
- Franklin McIntosh (1989) [6]
Alan Rough (1988)- Tom Silvas (1990)
- Mark Simpson (1990)
- Christopher Sullivan (1989)
- Tom Wurdack
- John Mailander (1989-90)
- Ajit Korgaokar (1985-89)
Year-by-year
Year Division League Reg. Season Playoffs Open Cup 1988 N/A ASL 4th, Southern Did not qualify Did not enter 1989 N/A ASL 4th, Southern Did not qualify Did not enter 1990 N/A APSL 3rd, ASL South Did not qualify Did not enter USISL
The second Orlando Lions were a soccer club based in Orlando, Florida. The team began in the USISL and, in 1995, moved to the USISL Premier League.
Year-by-year
Year Division League Reg. Season Playoffs Open Cup 1992 N/A USISL 1st, Southeast Sizzling Six Did not enter 1993 N/A USISL 1st, Southeast Final Did not enter 1993/94 N/A USISL Indoor 4th, Southeast Did not qualify N/A 1994 3 USISL 4th, Southeast Divisional Semifinals Did not enter 1994/95 N/A USISL Indoor 3rd, North/South Did not qualify N/A 1995 "4" USISL Premier League 8th, Eastern Did not qualify Did not enter 1995/96 N/A USISL Indoor 2nd, Southeast Did not qualify N/A 1995 "4" USISL Premier League 2nd, Southern Did not qualify Did not enter 1996 4 USISL Premier League 2nd EC Southern unknown Did not enter Coaches
- Mark Dillon (1985-1988)
- John Higgins (1988-1989)
- Gary Hindley (1989-1990)
- Mark Dillon (1992-1993)
- Steve Lions (1995-96) Indoor
Players
- Sheldon Lee (soccer) (1992-93) 29 Apps 32 Goals
- Greg Brick 1990-1993
- Warren Russ (1993)
- Joseph Duarte (1995-96) Indoor GAA 2.5
Yearly Awards
USISL MVP
- 1992: Sheldon Lee
USISL Top Scorer
- 1993: Sheldon Lee
USISL All-Star
- 1992: *Robin Chan
- 1993 - Sheldon Lee, David Mackey
USISL Coach of the Year
- 1993: Mark Dillon
References
Categories:- Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Florida soccer clubs
- Defunct soccer clubs in the United States
- American Soccer League (1988–1989) teams
- American Professional Soccer League teams
- Soccer clubs in Orlando, Florida
- United States soccer club stubs
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