Last fall, Midland Sports, Inc. introduced an idea to bring premier soccer to West Texas, by way of the United Soccer League’s PDL (Premier Developmental League).  With professional baseball, hockey, indoor football and a wealth of high school sporting events to choose from, the idea was meant to add yet another sports culture to the Permian Basin landscape...a sport that has thrived as one of the most recognized activities in the entire world would add to it’s escalating popularity in the United States. 

On Monday, September 15th, 2008, the West Texas United Sockers were officially formed and presented to the community.

Shortly after announcing the plan for the West Texas United Sockers, Jesus Enriquez was named Head Coach on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008.  Enriquez immediately brought a wealth of knowledge and experience with him from his playing and coaching days in the El Paso area.  A short time later, player/assistant Giber Becerra joined Enriquez to form the team’s coaching staff.  Their connections, along with their history of success, immediately molded a base of players as the team built for its first season on the field.

With a wide variety of former players and local high school alums, Enriquez was able to create a team during the exhibition schedule that became quickly known for its defensive presence and its ability to keep the other team out of the net.  Goalkeeper Leif Craddock anchored the league-leading defense for the entire year and was named PDL Player of the Week after his shutout in the Sockers first ever regular season home win against Laredo.  Craddock was helped out by a tremendous defense led by Raul Franco, Joel Rios and Rodolfo Collazo.

After a slow start on the offensive end, the Sockers were able to add more striking threats as the college spring semester came to a close, which allowed Joe Munoz to become the team’s top scorer.  Most notably, a pair of Middlesbrough, England natives, by way of West Texas A & M University added a tremendous boost to the Sockers’ playoff chances.  Dominic Furness and Ben Everson (who began the season with the Bradenton Academics in Florida) made a major offensive impact on what was initially considered a defensive oriented squad.

This past weekend, the Sockers season came to a close with a heartbreaking 1-0 overtime loss to perennial PDL power Laredo.  The accomplishments by the team were not lost however.  In the team’s inaugural season many accomplishments were held in high esteem by the league office as well as many members of the Unites States soccer community.

The Sockers will now head to their first full off-season with plans in place to continue to grow the community impact, youth soccer and the 2010 team on the field.  High marks and records have already been set for the franchise in its short term of existence.  The future is bright for the Sockers as they continue to aim at excellence in 2010 and beyond.

2009 Sockers Post Season Awards

MVP - Leif Craddock                                                                       Best Defender - Joel Rios

Offensive Player of the Year - Joe Munoz                                      Midfielder of the Year - Dominic Furness

Local Player of the Year - Raul Franco                                           Most Inspirational - Giber Becerra

Going Above and Beyond - Rodolfo Collazo                                   Rookie(s) of the Year—Erik Carrillo & Junior Hernandez

Character Award - Michael James, Lukas Garcia & Isa Miramontes Game Changer - Ben Everson

Most Committed Player - Wally Valdivia                                        Big Play Award - Eugene Brooks (goal vs. El Paso)

2009

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

NEWS & NOTES

DIVISIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS (7 Teams)

·     Tied for most wins (8) overall.

·     Tied for most home wins (5).

·     Tied for the most road wins (3).

·     First in fewest goals (10) allowed in road games.

·     Second in fewest goals (19) allowed overall.

·     Second place finish in the standings.

·     Only team to defeat Division Winner Laredo during the season (1-0 on Friday, May 15th, which was also the teams first ever PDL win and first ever home victory).

PDL ACCOMPLISHMENTS (68 Teams)

·     Two players named as PDL Players of the Week (Leif Craddock and Dominic Furness)

·     Second overall in average attendance (2,782 per game), behind only Des Moines.

·     Playoff Berth in Inaugural season (Just the 21st team to do so in the league’s 19 year history).

·     First round playoff win at home.

·     Reached the Sweet 16 of the PDL playoffs.

EXHIBITION GAMES

·     Hosted the first ever MLS game (FC Dallas) in West Texas history on Tuesday, July 7th.

·     Played FC Dallas in Frisco.

·     Hosted three exhibition games against professional and amateur teams while finishing the exhibition schedule with a 2-2-2 record.  The only losses coming to FC Dallas.