This Date in Sidekicks History June 24

Always Remember The First Time

• 1995: The Sidekicks opened the season with a game outside the United States for the first time.
  • La Raza de Monterrey defeated the Sidekicks at ITSEM for the first time.

Draft Day

• 1987: The MISL Draft took place today.
  • The Sidekicks selected US National Team player Paul Caliguri in the 2nd round, even though he had made it very clear that he was not interested in playing indoor soccer.

Under the Knife

• 1996: Tatu underwent surgery on his left cheekbone to repair a fracture suffered when he took an elbow to face in a game the previous weekend.

Streaks End

• 1995: La Raza ended the Sidekick's 7 game winning streak over them.

Future Opponents

• 1982: The Los Angeles Lazers franchise was founded on this date.

League Meetings

• 1985: The MISL summer meetings began in Dallas.

• 1987: The MISL board of directors awarded a franchise to Sidney and Andy Shlenker (then owners of the NBA's Denver Nuggets).
  • The franchise, to be known as the Denver Desperados, was conditional on the following being completed by November 15, 1987:
    1. The group must negotiate a long-term lease for McNichols Arena, satisfactory to the league.
    2. The group must receive firm support from the mayor, city council and chamber of commerce.
    3. The group must have a commitment of 5,000 season tickets from the soccer community.

• The group failed in the season ticket campaign and the Denver franchise never played a game.
  

Regular Season Games

• 1995:11th Season Opener: at La Raza de Monterrey 11 Sidekicks 10