This Date in Dallas Sidekicks History: April 16

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The Longest Off-Season

2004: When the Baltimore Blast blew out the Sidekicks 6-1 in the MISL Semifinal match on this date, it was the final game the original franchise would ever play. Fans were unaware that Sidekicks owner Sonny Williams had already effectively abandoned the franchise by laying off all the employees.

The club was never publicly put up for sale. Nor was the public ever made aware that the club was in financial trouble. When Fort Worth Star-Telegram beat writer Tobias Lopez contacted Mr. Williams, the now-former Sidekicks owner stated "We've served our time with the Sidekicks."

Several groups considered re-launching the Sidekicks, but it would not be until May 1, 2012 that the team would be reborn as a member of the Professional Arena Soccer League. The PASL-era Sidekicks played their first match at the Allen Event Center on November 3, 2012.

Always Remember the First Time

1986: The Sidekicks hosted a playoff game for the first time.
- Louie Nanchoff scored his first playoff goal and earned his first playoff assist as a Sidekick.

Players Released

1985: Ron Dufrene, Mike Twellman and Mark Nickeas

Player Loaned

1985: Mikael Ronnberg was loaned Gelfe of the Swedish 2nd Division on this date.

The Last Time It Happened

1988: Mark Lugris scored the final goal of his Sidekicks career. It was the Sidekicks first goal in the last regular season game of this season.
- The Sidekicks played their last match against the Cleveland Force.

Playoff Games

1986: Eastern Division Semifinals Game 3:at Sidekicks 4 Minnesota Strikers 1

Minnesota leads Best of Five series 2 games to 1

1992: MISL Semifinals Game 2: at Sidekicks 7 Cleveland Crunch 6 (OT)

Dallas leads Best of Seven series 2 games to 0

2004: new-MISL Semifinal: at Baltimore Blast 6 Sidekicks 1

Baltimore wins one game playoff.

Regular Season Games

1988: at Cleveland Force 5 Sidekicks 3

Did You Know?

1986: When Doc Lawson was introduced to the Reunion Arena auidence this night, he carried with him a stick, dangling from which was a parot in a hangman's noose. <read the game story>

1989: The Sidekicks cinched 3rd place in the MISL playoffs without playing a game. Losses by Tacoma and Wichita in their final regular season games on this date allowed the Sidekicks to finish 3rd .