[bigsmooth]

the old san jose earthquakes with landon donovan come to houston. any MLS reports in the future sly? how is UH's stadium that they are playing in?

New MLS team to be called Houston 1836
Houston 1836 media relations

HOUSTON -- Houston's new Major League Soccer team will be called HOUSTON 1836, commemorating the year that the City was founded. HOUSTON 1836 President Oliver Luck was joined at a press conference at Houston's Lanier Middle School by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke, (AEG is investor/operators of the Club), team captain Wade Barrett and goalkeeper Pat Onstad to 'reveal' the team's name, logo and colors. Several hundred youth soccer players cheered the announcement and received some of the first apparel available with the classy logo and sharp colors of HOUSTON 1836.
"While the name HOUSTON 1836 refers to the year that our City of Houston was founded by brothers Augustus C. and John K. Allen, we also incorporated the star and silhouette of General Sam Houston which clearly are iconic symbols of Houston which will remind fans that this team represents their City," said Luck. "From this day forward, the HOUSTON 1836 logo will be a symbol of a hard working team that reflects the pride, loyalty, heritage, bravery and most of all...winning spirit and 'wildcatter, go-get-em' attitude of Houstonians and all of Texas."

Designed by MLS Creative Services led by Richard Levy in conjunction with Cassdes Design, Inc. in New York City, the HOUSTON 1836 team identity can be reproduced on a variety of backgrounds using the team's primary colors of 'Raven Black,' 'Space City Blue' and 'Wildcatter Orange.'

"While our research indicated that Houston was not only one of the country's great sports towns with soccer, in particular, a fan favorite, we are still blown away by the tremendous local support, attitude and excitement that this team has already generated before even kicking one ball into the goal," said Leiweke. "We are so pleased to bring to Houston a club, in-tact, that has year-after-year established itself as one of MLS' most successful teams and one that will compete for the Cup in its very first season here. On behalf of AEG, Oliver Luck and the great staff he has begun to assemble, we thank the City and in particular Mayor White, the members of the City Council and the other officials who we have worked so closely with to make HOUSTON 1836 a reality."

Guided by Head Coach Dominic Kinnear, the 2005 MLS Coach of the Year, HOUSTON 1836 last week selected defender Patrick Ianni, (U.C.L.A., 8th overall pick) - a powerful marking back who played for the U.S. Under-20s in last summer's world championship in Holland - forward Andre Schmid, (St. John's, 32nd overall pick) and midfielder Mike Chabala, (University of Washington, 44th overall) in the MLS SuperDraft. Those young players look to join a team stocked with MLS All-Stars and international players including Barrett, Onstad, the 2005 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, U.S. National Team forward Brian Ching, Venezuelan forward Alejandro Moreno and Canadian midfielder Dwayne De Rosario, a finalist for 2005 MLS Honda MVP honors.

"Houston is a proud City with a diverse, enthusiastic soccer community," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. "This name and these colors forge an identity inspired by the City's entrepreneurial founders and worthy of its rich soccer tradition. As the team seeks excellence on the field, MLS and AEG will apply equal vigor in collaborating with investors and local leaders to build a stadium specifically for HOUSTON 1836."

Immediately following the afternoon press conference, eight select Houston locations of Academy Sports and Outdoors stores will begin selling two specially designed, officially licensed HOUSTON 1836 t-shirts. The commemorative shirts are also available on-line at www.MLSgear.com.

Since the club's initial press conference less than six weeks ago, the team has received over 1,500 deposits for season seats and tremendous interest from the local corporate community with regards to sponsorship opportunities according to Luck. Additionally, over 11,000 fans cast votes as part of a "Name the Team" contest sponsored by the Houston Chronicle, with HOUSTON 1836 beating out 11 other choices.

Deposits of $50 for season tickets are currently being accepted online at www.Houston1836.com or by phone at (866) 502-6326. HOUSTON 1836 will play its complete 16-game home schedule at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston, a facility which has hosted several major soccer events in its history. The 2006 MLS season, the 11th in League history, will kick off on April 1.

[SuperJon]

Maybe I'm just dumb but I love their new name. The 1836. That's awesome. It's a true soccer name.

[TallyW]

I have no desire to call you dumb but I personally think it's stupid.

What will their mascott be? A calendar? A time machine?

Even the 76'rs are exactly that... the 76'rs.

I don't know... but then again, I've never been into soccer so what do I know... it may be great for their fanbase and for Houston.

Recently cities have been fighting to get their name associated with their sports teams more and more.

With the Hornets in OK... they have a OKC patch...
With the Ravens in Baltimore... they have a "B" in the bird as a part of the logo and the maryland flag is in the logo also
With the Angels in L.A. area.
The list goes on and on.... So maybe this is simply the evolution of city pride.... Call the team the year you're founded... that way when people check out your logo they get a civics lesson.

[bigsmooth]

it is soccer. like many of the euro teams, they have the year their team was founded or a year that the city they play in was founded. The MLS is trying a euro marketing approach. DC united...after the many english premier teams (ex. manchester united) or real salt lake and chivas USA (ex.after mexican league teams), and FC Dallas(futbol club or football club). i know youth soccer is big in texas as i used to take my select teams there, and the hispanic population speaks for itself. i hope the MLS is successful there. so im sure you are all now sick of hearing about soccer

[Sly Fox]

I have to admit I am shocked that there would be a Houston 1836 thread on iyr board. But I guess that shows you East Coasters are beginning to ackowledge there is life west of the Appalachians.

I was at the announcement the other day when this came out. The reaction seems to go along age demographics. The older you are the less you are likely to approve. They certainly created a buzz for the franchise that wasn't there prior to the naming. So in that respect, its been an unmitigated success.

I'm actually down with it. We have a lot of guys on the board from Sports Marketing backgrounds and I'm curious as to their reactions. Here in Houston, the MLS is so far down the food chain that they are REALLY going to have to be creative to gain attention from the general public. This is a big soccer town ont he grassroots and international levels. But it will take awhile for the league to find its niche. The Mexican 1st Division regularly plays games here in town at Reliant Stadium and the Mexican National Team now is basically using Reliant Stadium as its home away from home playing to well over 50k in each of their appearances the past couple of years (they sold out 70k+ against USA three years ago).

Robertson Stadium is actually a great venue for the team even though it is just temporary. It is UH's football stadium and the school doesn't want a soccer team tearing up their field all summer before they get going in the fall. So the 1836 will be looking to build their own stadium somewhere in town (perhaps in partnership with the big city school district which has valuable land and limited budget). Robertson will seat around 18-20k for soccer and is a beautiful setting lined by palm trees.

[bigsmooth]

always a dig on the east coast sly! a bit of a complex my brother??? i hope the MLS works there. being a big fan of the game, i know soccer will never be what it is in europe, but as the sport grows, the youngsters now will be the ones later bringing their kids. the MLS also has an initiative to have their teams build soccer only stadiums, and pizza hut park in frisco, tx and the home depot center in carson, calif are the best in the country.

[PAmedic]

Any MLS coverage is good for the league. Expanding into the Houston area is a great business idea and hopefully pays dividends. Still love the Chicago Fire best, for obvious reasons.

[bigsmooth]

DC United all the way baby!!!

[RubberMallet]

i'd still much rather watch EPL and the mexican leagues...MLS can't compare...

i am psyched for the WC....

[Sly Fox]

OK Rubber Mallet, I'll bite. Who is your Interliga squad?

I've got Chivas gear but I'm not really down with them. They strike me too much as the Dallas Cowboys south of the border.

[PAmedic]

Like Manchester United and followed them for several years, also -Juventis.

both clubs had a couple bad years and I haven't had the time to follow them lately.

[bigsmooth]

MAN-U and chelsea FC in the english premier league. bayern munich in the german league. i watch a lot of fox soccer channel...a soccer lovers delight!

[ALUmnus]

I think Houston's new logo and what-not are pretty sweet. Nice colors, too. They must have some good designers down there, I thought the Texans were well done too (what the heck happened to the Rockets?).

But I really hope that franchise does well. For all the complaining about giving San Jose a chance, they just didn't have a fanbase there, and Houston definitely should. I read that the owner of the USL team says they need more Mexican players on the team if they want to draw a crowd. That makes sense, but I'm sure there's more than enough non-Mexican soccer fans in the area to help support the team.

You guys can't compare the MLS to the European leagues right now, there's just too much of a difference in the quality of play. I'm kind of in the boat where I'd rather support the MLS while watch the EPL/Bundesliga. I wish the had an ESPN Deportes in English, or FSW was more widely available.

[RubberMallet]

i sat next to Thierry Henry when i flew from chicago to Atlanta....that was cool....he said i was the only person on his trip that recognized him in the states

[Innocent Bystander]

Sly,
I hear that the PC crowd down your way is pushing for a name change for Houston 1836. What is the likelyhood that the change actually happens?

[PAmedic]

Hey Mark- great to see ya here!

[Innocent Bystander]

Yeah, I'm still kicking around. Doing more lurking than posting, but still trying to keep up with what's going on with LU.

[Sly Fox]

Its more than likely to occur. The vast majority of soccer fans in Houston are Hispanic. So in order to avoid disenfranchising a large block of potential ticket buyers they are considering making the change.

Frankly, it is ridiculous. The crux of the argument that has been brewing on some of the Spanish-speaking radio stations is that the date 1836 (which is supposed to commemorate the founding of Houston and which was suggested by a Hispanic Houstonian) represents negative connotations. It was the year Texas won indendence from Mexico as a nation by winning the Battle of San Jacinto just outside of Houston. The naysayers are proclaiming that using 1836 stirs up memories of many of their forefathers dying on the battlefield at the hands of the Texians. What they conveniently forget is that it wasn't whites against Latinos in that war. Texians (primarily caucasians from Tennessee, Kentucky & Ohio who were seeking fortune on the new frontier) were joined by Tejanos (Hispanics who wanted freedom from the oppressive mexican government) in fighting for freedom in Texas. And I hate to bring up the fact that if it weren't for the victory in 1836 Texas certainly wouldn't have enjoyed the prosperity that it has ever since.

As many of you know, my wife is a 4th generation Mexican-American. And trust me when I say her family is thrilled with who won the war and that their ancestors fought for the liberation of Texas.

But that's enough of a history lesson for today. You can expect the new name to be Mustangs, Apollos or possibly Lone Star if they decide to go ahead with the switch. BTW the season opens about 6 weeks.

[ALUmnus]

The Dymano? That's aweful. They had things going so well for them, and now this. Hey, newsflash, those town markers with the foundation date on them, it's not referring to when the Indians settled there. It's really hard to come up with a name that dumb, they must have been working day and night on that one.

[LUconn]

This is outrageous! My ancestors 135 years ago were killed by a pack of dynamos. I'm so offended

[PAmedic]

man- you guys are quick. I figured I was the only who noticed- here's the usual load of PC crap currently being thrown against the wall:

(how many fans do you think they already lost?)


1836 is history - Dynamo it is

Jamie Trecker / Fox Soccer Channel
Posted: 41 minutes ago

Houston 1836 is no more.

Nearly one month after the embattled franchise chose to withdraw their first choice of name after outcry from some in the Latino community, the team today unveiled their new name in Houston: the former San Jose Earthquakes will henceforth be known as the Houston Dynamo.

The name was chosen to reflect the city's status as the de-facto energy capital of America. GM Oliver Luck said in a statement that: "Dynamo is a word to describe someone who never fatigues, never gives up. The new name is symbolic of Houston as an energetic, hard-working, risk-taking kind of town."

"Finally, we'd like to once again reiterate that at no time did MLS or AEG ever want to offend any members of the community in Houston. We want everyone to feel welcome and become a part of professional soccer in Houston. Similar to soccer around the world and in our other MLS markets, the sport embraces all cultures and unites the community. We certainly believe this team will be a positive meeting place for the fabulous diversity of this city."

Houston Dynamo spokeswoman Vanessa Astros added: "We had very little time to conduct polls and collect information — and by us I mean our owners AEG, MLS and team officials. We look at a group of different names over the past few weeks, and in studying them and checking on trademarks, we found that some of the names we would have chosen were already registered, so we looked at Dynamo. For us, it symbolizes the energy of the team and the coach.

"Also, in 1984, we found out about a team called the Houston Dynamos which played here, and we wanted to pay tribute to it."

The MISL Houston Dynamos were in existence from 1984-1986 and folded due to lack of support.

The name, of course, has another long-standing meaning for European football fans: In Soviet times, the name "Dynamo" was given to teams fielded by police and secret police departments. Dinamo Bucharest was formed in 1948 by the government to represent the police force; Dynamo Berlin were sponsored by the hated Stasi of East Germany.

In choosing the name, MLS has chosen to placate the Hispanic fans who were understandably upset with the choice of 1836 for a nickname — the year represents not only the date of the city of Houston's founding but of Texas' secession from Mexico. A number of Latinos across the spectrum saw the choice as being in poor taste.

But Houston and MLS officials will now have to contend with some blowback from a white community that has seen the name controversy as a case of "political correctness" run amok. One AEG staffer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said that that was a huge concern for the league during discussions on the team's future.

MLS officials were not immediately available to comment.

[Sly Fox]

I'm stunned you people care about this as much as you seem to. It barely raises even a few eyebrows down here in Houston.

I agree that the name change is silly at best. But the team is counting on the strong futbol fanbase here in Houston for its success. So this was down from a marketing standpoint to show they care.

[PAmedic]

Its only because we care about you SLY

[Sly Fox]

You like me ... you like me ... you really, really like me.

[bigsmooth]

i liked the 1836. the dynamo is a commonly used team name in soccer.