Austin Thunder

In 1987, Nigel Bowman and Jeff Brown founded The Austin Thunder, the first semi-professional soccer team in Austin, as part of the Lone Star Soccer Alliance, initially playing at House Park.{{cite news |last=Craige |first=Lois |date=June 11, 1987 |title=Professional soccer comes to Austin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-1-thunder/133443418/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 10, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}} The Thunder ended their first season with a 3–3 record, finishing third in the Lone Star Soccer Alliance.{{cite news |last=Roberts |first=Reggie |date=May 29, 1988 |title=Fresh talent gives Thunder a boost |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-6-thunder/134256697/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 10, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Lone Star Soccer Alliance announced that the 1998 season would have five teams in an eight-game season format.{{cite news |last=Northington |first=David |date=February 19, 1988 |title=Lone Star Soccer to open with 5 teams |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-8-austin-thu/134476827/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 10, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} For the second season in a row, The Austin Thunder finished in third place in the Lone Star Soccer Alliance.{{cite news |last=Hanley |first=Penny |date=September 4, 1988 |title=Soccer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman-7-austin-thunder/134974724/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 10, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In the 1989 season, Nigel Bowman continued to encourage soccer in Austin by developing new talent for the team.{{cite news |last=Maraniss |first=Andrew |date=June 24, 1989 |title=Shooting at Popularity |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-12-austin-th/134963378/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}} Working to improve the players understanding of the game, in addition to their physical talents.{{cite news |last=Maraniss |first=Andrew |date=June 24, 1989 |title=Shooting at Popularity |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-13-austin-th/134963419/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}} These changes lead the team to their first championship game, where they played FC Dallas, who had 35 straight wins over the last three seasons.{{cite news |last=Renaud |first=Jorge |date=August 12, 1989 |title=Thunder will try to snatch title away from powerful FC Dallas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-18-austin-th/134965554/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} The Thunder were able to beat FC Dallas 3–2 in the final, claiming their only LSSA championship.{{cite news |author= |date=August 17, 1989 |title=Thunder dethrone champ FC Dallas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news-10-austin-thunder/134963272/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} Three players made the all-star team that year. Richard Johnson at defense, Nigel Bowman at midfield, and Derek Missimo at forward.{{cite news |author= |date=August 17, 1989 |title=Warrior, Key LSSA all-stars |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news-9-austin-thunder/134963236/ |work=Times Record News |location=Wichita Falls, Texas |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}

LSSA added two more teams for the 1990 season and split the league into two divisions. The Thunder played in the South Division and was aligned the Houston Dynamos, Houston Alianza, and San Antonio Alamo.{{cite news |author= |date=March 24, 1990 |title=LSSA adds two teams; forms divisional play |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news-19-austin-thunder/134966184/ |work=Austin American Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} Bringing back nine players from their 1989 championship team{{cite news |author= |date=May 5, 1990 |title=Austin Thunder open Sunday at Houston |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-20-austin-th/134966221/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} allowed the Thunder to reach the playoffs for a second year in a row.{{cite news |last=Bennett |first=Stacy |date=July 29, 1990 |title=Thunder, Sockadillos earn playoffs spots |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-21-austin-th/134966433/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} In a repeat of the 1989 finals, the Thunder met FC Dallas in the semi-finals, losing 1–0.{{cite news |author= |date=August 5, 1990 |title=FC Dallas eliminates Austin Thunder 1–0 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-22-austin-th/134967244/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}

1991 was another successful season for the Austin Thunder, with the team winning the South division and earning a spot in the LSSA championship against long time powerhouse FC Dallas.{{cite news |last=Galinsky |first=John |date=August 12, 1991 |title=Thunder advances to play Dallas for Lone Star Soccer Alliance title |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-31-austin-th/134968576/ |work=Austin American=Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} In a rematch of the 1989 finals, the Austin Thunder fell to FC Dallas in the seventh round of a penalty shoot-out, after playing 120 minutes to a 3–3 tie.{{cite news |author= |date=August 18, 1991 |title=Thunder falls in shootout |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-32-austin-th/134968658/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} For the 1991 LSSA all-star game, Nigel Bowman was selected to co-coach the South's team.{{cite news |author= |date=July 26, 1991 |title=Four Fever players in all-star game |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news-27-austin-thunder/134968290/ |work=Times Record News |location=Wichita Falls, TX |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}

The Austin Thunder started the 1992 season with a friendly against Queen's Park F.C., a professional team from Scottish Football League Second Division.{{cite news |author= |date=May 20, 1992 |title=Soccer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-37-austin-th/134969513/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} The Austin Thunder's 1992 season was both their last season in the LSSA and last season as a semi-professional team. {{As of|2024}}, they continue to play amateur soccer in the Austin Men's Soccer Association.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinmenssoccer.com/standings/ |title=Standings |website=www.AustinMensSoccer.com |publisher=Austin Men's Soccer Association |access-date=November 12, 2023}}

Austin Thunder also had a girls program that was a finalist in the Division One Texas State Cup in 1989.{{cite news |author= |date=June 15, 1989 |title=Texas Cup finalists |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-16-austin-th/134963875/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023}} Playing in youth tournaments, the Austin Thunder Ladies won the 1991 South Texas State Cup. The Thunder Ladies team's success continued and in 1991 they were invited to England for the Watford International Women's Tournament.{{cite news |last=Galinsky |first=John |date=July 18, 1991 |title=Thunder Rolls Into England |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-25-austin-th/134968002/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} After losing their first game to Sheffield Wednesday,{{cite news |last=McCarty |first=Yulanda L. |date=August 7, 1999 |title=Austin Thunder Ladies capture Watford International soccer title |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-30-austin-th/134968503/ |work=Austin American-Statemsan |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} the Thunder Ladies beat Manchester women's select, North West to earn a place in the finals. The Austin Thunder Ladies beat Sheffield Wednesday 3–2 in the finals to capture the Watford International Women's Tournament.{{cite news |author= |date=August 23, 1991 |title=US women's soccer team takes England by storm |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-southport-visiter-32-austin-thunde/134968861/ |work=Southport Visiter |location=Southport, England |access-date=November 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}

• Lone Star Soccer Alliance
• Champions: 1989
• Runners up: 1991
• South Texas State Cup
• Champions: 1987{{cite news |last=Northington |first=David |date=March 22, 1987 |title=Thunder advances in Amateur Cup |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-austin-thunder/152309842/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=July 30, 2024 |at=p.H8 col.1–3 |via=Newspapers.com}}
• Austin Men's Soccer Association
• Champions 2009,{{Cite web |title=Standings |url=https://austinmenssoccer.com/standings/?seasonId=3&divisionId=29 |access-date=October 11, 2024}} 2010,{{Cite web |title=Standings |url=https://austinmenssoccer.com/standings/?divisionId=29&periodId=undefined&seasonId=8 |access-date=October 11, 2024}} 2011,{{Cite web |title=Standings |url=https://austinmenssoccer.com/standings/?seasonId=15&divisionId=29 |access-date=October 11, 2024}} 2013,{{Cite web |title=Standings |url=https://austinmenssoccer.com/standings/?seasonId=31&divisionId=29 |access-date=October 11, 2024}} 2014,{{Cite web |title=Standings |url=https://austinmenssoccer.com/standings/?seasonId=42&divisionId=29 |access-date=October 11, 2024}} 2016,{{Cite web |title=Standings |url=https://austinmenssoccer.com/standings/?seasonId=84&divisionId=29 |access-date=October 11, 2024}} 2023,{{Cite web |title=Standings |url=https://austinmenssoccer.com/standings/?seasonId=177&divisionId=29 |access-date=October 11, 2024}} 2024{{Cite web |title=Standings |url=https://austinmenssoccer.com/standings/?seasonId=187&divisionId=29 |access-date=October 11, 2024}}

• Austin Lone Stars
• Austin Lightning
• Austin Aztex
• Austin Aztex U23
• Austin Bold FC
• Austin United FC
• Austin FC
• Austin FC II

{{reflist}}

{{Texas sports}}

{{Austin, Texas}}

Category:Defunct soccer clubs in Texas

Category:Lone Star Soccer Alliance teams

Category:1987 establishments in Texas

Category:1992 establishments in Texas

Category:Association football clubs established in 1987

Category:Association football clubs disestablished in 1992

Category:Sports in Austin, Texas