Cocoa Expos
USL PDL club from Cocoa, Florida, active 1993–2007.
The Cocoa Expos, an American soccer club, began in 1993 and competed in the USL Premier Development League, the fourth level of the U.S. soccer system, until its franchise ended in 2007. Based in Cocoa, Florida, about 45 miles from Orlando, the team played at Cocoa Municipal Stadium in blue and white. A women’s side, the Cocoa Expos Women, also existed in the USL W-League but folded at the same time.
Quick Facts
- Nickname
- The Expos
- Founded
- 1993
- Dissolved
- 2007
- Stadium
- Cocoa Municipal Stadium
- Capacity
- 3,000
- Chairman
- USA Giles Malone
- Manager
- GER Udo Schenatzky
- League
- USL Premier Development League
Facts from the source article.
Background
After joining the league in 1994, the Expos became one of the most successful and popular teams in the USL Premier Development League. In their first three seasons, from 1994 to 1997, the team lost only three regular season games and played in the Conference Championship game four times, in 1995, 1997, 2001, and 2004. During their 2001 preseason, the Expos played former the Major League Soccer franchise Tampa Bay Mutiny and lost only 1–0. In 2005, the Expos qualified for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the third time.
However, their final season in 2007 proved disastrous, with the team losing 13 of 15 matches and scoring just one goal all season. The team's honors include USL PDL Southeast Division Champions in 2005, 2003, and 2001, USISL PDL National Championship Runner-up in 1997, USISL PDL Southeast Division Champions in 1997, USISL Premier League Eastern/Southern Division Champions in 1996, USISL Premier League Eastern Division Champions in 1995, and USISL Premier League Southeast Division Champions in 1994.
Coaches included Chris Ramsey (1991–1992), Alan Dicks (1994), Gerry Queen (2001–2006), and Udo Schenatzky (2007). The team played at Cocoa Municipal Stadium from 2003 to 2007. Average attendance figures from 1996 to 2007 show a high of 711 in 1997 and a low of 84 in 2002 and 2003.
Did You Know?
- In their 2001 preseason, the Expos played the former MLS franchise Tampa Bay Mutiny and lost only 1–0.
- The Expos had a sister organization, the Cocoa Expos Women, which also folded at the end of 2007.
More in Defunct Indoor Soccer Clubs in the United States
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