Dallas Sidekicks Players

#5 Mike Powers

	Position:	Defender
	Height:	5'10"
	Weight:	170
	Birthdate:	December 22, 1957
	Birthplace:	St. Louis, Missouri
	Citizenship:	USA
	College:	Rockhurst University
	Previous Club:	Dallas Americans (USL)
	Seasons Pro:	22
	Seasons with the Sidekicks:	15

How He Got Here

Signed as a Free Agent on October 30, 1986.

College Days

• Named NAIA and National Soccer Coaches Association All-American in 1979.
• Inducted into the Rockhurst University Sports Hall of Fame 1996

Before He Was a Sidekick

Powers played indoors for the Wichita Wings from 1980-83, and outdoors for the Detroit Express of the American Soccer League during the summers from 1981-83.

Draft Notice (MISL)

Powers was drafted by the Wichita Wings in the 1979 Player Draft with the 10th selection in the Territorial Round.

Burning His Draft Notice (CISL) to become Trade Bait

Powers was drafted by the Las Vegas Dustdevils in the 1994 CISL Expansion Draft. Powers, however, declined to report to Las Vegas. On July 1, 1994 a trade was worked out, sending Gary Young to Las Vegas in exchange for Powers.

Just You and Me

Powers and Tatu are the only two players to be members of all four Sidekicks Championship teams (1986-87, 1993, 1998, and 2001).

Record Book

Powers owns the following Sidekicks records

• Games Played in a Season (56, 1987-88, tied with Mark Karpun and Wes McLeod)
• Consecutive Regular Season Games Played (220)
• Playoff Career Blocked Shots (146)
• Games Played during a Playoff Campaign (17, tied with 6 others in 1986-87)

Top 10

Powers finished among the top 10 players in the league for blocked shots in the following season

M*A*S*H*ed

• Sprained ligaments in his right knee on January 2, 1987 and was out for 6 weeks.
• Sprained right knee at Indianapolis on July 26, 1996.

Sidekicks Highlights

1986-87

• Walked into the Inwood Soccer Center during free agent tryouts and earned a spot on the club he has never relenquished.
  
• Earned the assist on Wes Mcleod's goal vs. Tacoma on December 14.
• Earned the assist on Tatu's first goal of the game on March 6, 1987 at Baltimore.
• Scored his first goal as a Sidekick on April 2, 1987 vs Cleveland
• Earned the Game Winning Assist in Game 4 of the MISL Championship Series vs Tacoma on June 14, 1987.

1987-88

• One of only 3 Sidekicks to play all 56 games
• Scored the Game Winning Goal vs Baltimore on January 2, 1988.
• Blocked 12 shots vs Los Angeles, then a club record on March 5, 1988.

1988-89

• Scored Tripple Overtime Game Winning Goal vs Tacoma on December 16, 1988.

1989-90

• Recorded first ever 2 goal game vs Baltimore on November 21, 1989.

1990-91

• Fourth consecutive season of 100 blocked shots achieved.
• Blocked 8 shots vs March 30, 1991 vs Kansas City.

1991-92

• Scored Game Winning Goal vs St. Louis on November 1, 1991 to raise Sidekicks record to 3-0.

1993

• Scored two goals in Game 3 of the CISL Championship Series vs San Diego.
• Played in all 28 Regular Season games.

1995

• Blocked 9 shots (a career high) vs Las Vegas on September 30.

1996

• Scored two goals vs Houston in the Regular Season Finale

1997

• Played all 28 Regular Season games.

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1998

• Recorded a season high 3 blocked shots at Sacramento on August 8.

1999

• Played in his 600th profesional soccer game.

2000

• Scored two goals vs Sacramento on August 26, 2000.

Giving Back to the Community

Powers spends his personal time working with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, the Children's Cancer fund, Bryan's House, and the Boy Scouts. He also assists with the Youth group at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

Powers also serves as Coaching Director for Tatu's All-Star Soccer Camps, and has been with that organization since 1989.

Where Did He Go?

Mike Powers announced his intention to retire after the WISL Championship game on December 22, 2002. His last match was the new-MISL All-Star Game on February 17, 2002.

Powers remains with the Sidekicks as an Assistant Coach.