Memphis Storm

The Memphis Storm was an American soccer team based in Memphis, Tennessee which existed from 1986 to 1994 under several names in both the American Indoor Soccer Association and the USISL.

First founded in 1986 as a member of the American Indoor Soccer Association, the team, known as the Memphis Storm, playing in the Mid-South Coliseum, had a successful first season. It made the playoffs only to fall to eventual champions Louisville Thunder in the semifinals. Head coach Terry Nicholl was named the 1987 AISA Coach of the Year and defender Greg Willen was a First Team All Star. The Storm had an outstanding second season, topping the league standings. The league did not hold a post-season tournament so the Storm was declared the champion. Nichols repeated as AISA Coach of the Year. He won the award even though he left the team with several games remaining in the season, handing over the coaching duties to midfielder Tony Carbognani. Manny Sanchez was the Goalkeeper of the Year and Rod Castro was the Rookie of the Year. The Storm also placed Sanchez, defenders Vince Beck, Art Hughes and forward Ted Hantak on the All Star team. The Storm saw a collapse in form during the 1988–1989 season; finishing last in the league standings. During the season, the league took control of the team when the ownership expressed an intention of filing for bankruptcy. In September 1989, the league sold the team to new ownership, a group of Memphis businessmen. The new ownership renamed the team the Memphis Rogues. Don Tobin replaced Carbognani as coach only to be relieved of his duties early in the season. Carbognani was again elevated to the position of player-coach. Despite the name and coaching changes, Memphis had a dismal season, finishing 6–34. The team also experienced considerable financial difficulties. By the summer of 1990, it owed the Mid-South Coliseum $21,000 in unpaid back rent. On June 23, 1990, the AISA expelled the team from the league and repudiated its line of credit. Team ownership under Rob Gunter began making arrangements to pay the team debt and move the team to the Southwest Independent Soccer League. In July 1990, the expansion Detroit Rockers of the AISA purchased all Memphis player contracts. On July 24, 1990, the Rogues paid the first installment of their franchise fee to the SISL, allowing the team to compete in that league during the upcoming season.

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