New Orleans Storm
Encyclopedia
The New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers was an American soccer club that competed in the USISL from 1993 to 1999. Based in New Orleans
, Louisiana
, the club was renamed the New Orleans Storm in 1998. The team folded after the 1999 season.
. Wearing a red, white and blue uniform, the Gamblers played their first regular season game on May 15, 1993 against the Birmingham Grasshoppers
. The Gamblers spent their first season in the Southern Challenge Cup (Provisional), a group of four teams which played an eight game schedule separate from the rest of the USISL. In 1994, they moved to the Midsouth Division where they placed second behind the Louisville Thoroughbreds
. In July 1994, Patrick Olalere
, the teams's leading scorer became the first New Orleans' player to move up when he signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers
. In January 1994, White left the team and Mike Jeffries became head coach. The 1995 season also saw the USISL split between a Professional (Division 3) and Premier (Amateur) League. The Gamblers moved to the South Central Division in the Professional League. In 1996, the USISL again reorganized, this time into three leagues. The Gamblers joined the Central Division of the newly created Select (Division 2) League. The team also formed partnership with the Dallas Burn of Major League Soccer
in which the Gamblers served as a farm team for the Burn. In December 1996, New Orleans again changed leagues as the USISL and A-League
merged to form the second division USISL A-League. The team also changed stadiums to Tad Gormley Stadium
which could seat 26,500 fans. That season, the Gamblers went to the Division finals. In November 1997, Rob Couhig
, owner of the New Orleans Zephyrs
baseball team, purchased the Gamblers from Donnie Pate. Couhig renamed the team the New Orleans Storm and moved it to Zephyr Field
which seated only 10,000 but had natural grass as compared to the artificial turf of Tad Gormley Stadium. The team also changed its colors to purple, gray and black to match the colors of the Zephyrs baseball team.
In February 1998, Bill Jeffries left to become an assistant with the Chicago Fire
and Daryl Shore
was elevated to head coach. In January 1999, Danny Rebuck replaced Daryl Shore
as head coach. In February 2000, Couhig announced the Storm was suspending operations.
Gary Glasgow
Mike Jeffries
Avery John
Stern John
Ezra Hendrickson
Jason Kreis
Garth Lagerwey
Patrick Olalere
Russell Payne Darren Sawatzky
Mickey Trotman
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, the club was renamed the New Orleans Storm in 1998. The team folded after the 1999 season.
History
On March 12, 1993, New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers owner Donnie Pate announced the creation of the team. The Riverboat Gamblers played their home games at Pan American Stadium, a 5,000 person stadium in the New Orleans City Park. Pate also announced that Ken White would coach the team with assistance from Mike JeffriesMike Jeffries (soccer)
Michael Jeffries is a retired American soccer player and current soccer coach. He was the 1983 Hermann Trophy winner and played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League...
. Wearing a red, white and blue uniform, the Gamblers played their first regular season game on May 15, 1993 against the Birmingham Grasshoppers
Birmingham Grasshoppers
Birmingham Grasshoppers were an American soccer team that played in Birmingham, Alabama from 1992-1996 as a member of the United States Interregional Soccer League. When the USISL split into two leagues in 1995, the Grasshoppers joined the Premier League...
. The Gamblers spent their first season in the Southern Challenge Cup (Provisional), a group of four teams which played an eight game schedule separate from the rest of the USISL. In 1994, they moved to the Midsouth Division where they placed second behind the Louisville Thoroughbreds
Louisville Thoroughbreds
The Louisville Thoroughbreds are a men's chorus based in Louisville, Kentucky. They are the first 7-time International Champion chorus of the Barbershop Harmony Society, winning the Gold Medal in 1962, 1966, 1969, 1974, 1978, 1981 and 1984.-History:...
. In July 1994, Patrick Olalere
Patrick Olalere
Patrick Olalere is a Nigerian football manager and former player. He is the current coach of the Myrtle Beach FC.A former professional player, he was active primarily in the United States, he played as a striker.-Professional career:...
, the teams's leading scorer became the first New Orleans' player to move up when he signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Fort Lauderdale Strikers was an American soccer team, a descendant of the Washington Darts, Miami Gatos, and Miami Toros, that played in Fort Lauderdale, Florida....
. In January 1994, White left the team and Mike Jeffries became head coach. The 1995 season also saw the USISL split between a Professional (Division 3) and Premier (Amateur) League. The Gamblers moved to the South Central Division in the Professional League. In 1996, the USISL again reorganized, this time into three leagues. The Gamblers joined the Central Division of the newly created Select (Division 2) League. The team also formed partnership with the Dallas Burn of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
in which the Gamblers served as a farm team for the Burn. In December 1996, New Orleans again changed leagues as the USISL and A-League
A-League (1995–2004)
The A-League was a professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. The A-League emerged out of the restructured American Professional Soccer League in 1995 and operated until 2004, after which it was re-branded the USL First Division...
merged to form the second division USISL A-League. The team also changed stadiums to Tad Gormley Stadium
Tad Gormley Stadium
Tad Gormley Stadium is a multi-purpose outdoor stadium, located in City Park, in New Orleans, Louisiana, named for Frank "Tad" Gormley. It has been used for football, track & field, and soccer. It played host to the US Olympic Track & Field Trials for the 1992 Summer Olympics...
which could seat 26,500 fans. That season, the Gamblers went to the Division finals. In November 1997, Rob Couhig
Rob Couhig
Robert Emmet Couhig, Jr., known as Rob Couhig , is an attorney, businessman, entrepreneur, Republican political activist, and a former radio talk show host from New Orleans, Louisiana. His last political foray was into the 2010 New Orleans mayoral election.A former partner of the Adams and Reese...
, owner of the New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
baseball team, purchased the Gamblers from Donnie Pate. Couhig renamed the team the New Orleans Storm and moved it to Zephyr Field
Zephyr Field
Zephyr Field is a 10,000-seat baseball park in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, that hosted its first regular season baseball game on April 11, 1997, as the tenants of the facility, the New Orleans Zephyrs, defeated the Oklahoma City 89ers, 8-3. The ballpark hosted the 1998 and 2001...
which seated only 10,000 but had natural grass as compared to the artificial turf of Tad Gormley Stadium. The team also changed its colors to purple, gray and black to match the colors of the Zephyrs baseball team.
In February 1998, Bill Jeffries left to become an assistant with the Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire (soccer)
Chicago Fire Soccer Club is an American professional soccer club based in the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview, Illinois. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top soccer league in the United States and Canada...
and Daryl Shore
Daryl Shore
Daryl Shore is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper who is currently head coach of Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the second division North American Soccer League.-Player:...
was elevated to head coach. In January 1999, Danny Rebuck replaced Daryl Shore
Daryl Shore
Daryl Shore is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper who is currently head coach of Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the second division North American Soccer League.-Player:...
as head coach. In February 2000, Couhig announced the Storm was suspending operations.
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | N/A | USISL (provisional) | 1st, Southern Challenge Cup | N/A | Did not enter |
| 1994 | 3 | USISL | 2nd, Midsouth | Divisional Semifinals | Did not enter |
| 1995 | 3 | USISL Pro League | 5th, South Central | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1996 | 3 | USISL Select League | 3rd, Central | 1st Round | Did not qualify |
| 1997 | 2 | USISL A-League | 1st, Central | Division Finals | 3rd Round |
| 1998 | 2 | USISL A-League | 4th, Central | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 1999 | 2 | USL A-League | 3rd, Central | Conference Quarterfinals | Did not qualify |
Coaches
- Ken White (1993–1994)
- Mike JeffriesMike Jeffries (soccer)Michael Jeffries is a retired American soccer player and current soccer coach. He was the 1983 Hermann Trophy winner and played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League...
(1995–1998) - Daryl ShoreDaryl ShoreDaryl Shore is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper who is currently head coach of Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the second division North American Soccer League.-Player:...
(1998) - Danny Rebuck (1999)
Notable players
This list includes those former players who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left.Gary Glasgow
Gary Glasgow
Gary Glasgow is a Trinidadian international soccer player who plays professionally as a striker for North East Stars.-Career:...
Mike Jeffries
Mike Jeffries (soccer)
Michael Jeffries is a retired American soccer player and current soccer coach. He was the 1983 Hermann Trophy winner and played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League...
Avery John
Avery John
Avery John is a Trinidadian soccer player.-Youth and College:John attended Vessigny [Antilles] Government Secondary School and then Presentation College, and played college soccer for Yavapai College in Arizona and American University in Washington, DC...
Stern John
Stern John
Stern John is a Trinidadian football player currently playing for North East Stars in Trinidad. He played for a number of high profile English football clubs that included Nottingham Forest, Birmingham City and Coventry City.-Early Career in US:John moved to the United States to attend Mercer...
Ezra Hendrickson
Ezra Hendrickson
Ezra Hendrickson is a retired Vincentian footballer. He played professionally in the United States' Major League Soccer with New York MetroStars, Los Angeles Galaxy, Dallas Burn, and Chivas USA, and was also a member of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national team...
Jason Kreis
Jason Kreis
Jason Clarence Kreis is an American soccer coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer....
Garth Lagerwey
Garth Lagerwey
Garth Lagerwey is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played five seasons in Major League Soccer. He is currently the vice president and general manager of Real Salt Lake....
Patrick Olalere
Patrick Olalere
Patrick Olalere is a Nigerian football manager and former player. He is the current coach of the Myrtle Beach FC.A former professional player, he was active primarily in the United States, he played as a striker.-Professional career:...
Russell Payne Darren Sawatzky
Darren Sawatzky
Darren Sawatzky was a U.S. soccer player who spent four seasons in Major League Soccer. He also played one season in Major Indoor Soccer League, one in USISL and five in the United Soccer Leagues...
Mickey Trotman
Mickey Trotman
Mickey Trotman was an football player from Trinidad and Tobago who played in the United States with the Dallas Burn, the Miami Fusion and the Rochester Rhinos, as well as representing the Trinidad and Tobago national football team...