President’s Selection: The Original Six
United Soccer Leagues was created in the fall of 1986 with five clubs in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico playing in the Southwest Indoor Soccer League, and a sixth set to begin play the following year. The Garland Genesis won the inaugural title 7-2 against the Lubbock Lazers. The league was also comprised of the Albuquerque Outlaws, Amarillo Challengers and Oklahoma City Warriors. Marcos’ team, the Austin Sockadillos, began play the following year while he focused on launching the league. These six teams paved the way for the league to grow to 17 teams in its fourth season and the addition of an outdoor league in 1989.

A member of the Amarillo Challengers, Melton went on to win the Goal Scoring Championship in the 1991-92 season with 36 strikes despite the club’s 5-9 record on the season.