NPSL Soccer returning to Midland-Odessa for 2023 Season!
Dynamic local ownership group led by Jason and Melina Cannon acquire NPSL soccer team from Midland Rockhounds
As the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off and the state of Texas enters the biggest growth stage in the history of U.S. soccer leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup which will be played in Dallas and Houston, Jason and Melina Cannon announce their plans to bring NPSL Soccer back to Midland-Odessa in 2023 as West Texas FC.
West Texas FC owner Jason Cannon shared his thoughts on bringing NPSL soccer back to Midland-Odessa, “Next to playing sports, watching sports live, is hard to beat. We have the World Cup starting up soon, one of the largest sporting competitions in the world, and the success of our U.S. team will attract more than a few fans. West Texas already has fans who support teams from all over the world. NPSL and West Texas FC allows us to take a small piece of that experience and interest with us home. We can enjoy high quality soccer locally and support our own local club.” Cannon continued, “Soccer is a sport that the West Texas youth and community has embraced for many years and we are very excited about our involvement in starting a new NPSL team. Soccer is experiencing tremendous growth in the U.S. and West Texas will continue to be a part of that growth. Our goal is for West Texas FC to offer locally based development opportunities for our youth and to provide a fun entertainment activity for our community.”
NPSL Soccer has a successful history in West Texas. The Midland-Odessa Sockers, owned by Midland Rockhounds, had a great run over 14 years. Founded in 2008, Midland-Odessa Sockers played in the USL PDL from 2009-2014 then the club joined the National Premier Soccer League from 2015-2021. Sockers FC won the Lone Star Conference Championship in 2017 when they advanced to the NPSL National Championship game that year. Former Sockers FC General Manager Jeff Von Holle shared his thoughts on NPSL Soccer returning to Midland-Odessa, "Sockers FC had a great run in Midland-Odessa from 2009-2021, including stints in both the United Soccer League Premier Development League (PDL, now known as USL 2), and in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). We were fortunate enough to participate in the PDL National Semifinals in 2016, and in the NPSL National Championship Game in 2017. We have a lot of great memories of our fans, our players, our coaches, and the amazing experiences we had with the beautiful game. Our ownership and staff thoroughly enjoyed the sport of soccer and making great friends throughout the soccer world. It was an experience that will never be forgotten. As all good things must come to an end, our ownership decided prior to the 2022 season that our club would be put up for sale in order to concentrate 100% of our efforts on our Minor League Baseball team, the Midland RockHounds. We feel very lucky to have found a great new ownership group of Jason and Melina Cannon who will carry the NPSL soccer torch here in Midland-Odessa starting in 2023. I believe that Jason and Melina (and their staff) have the passion and desire to take the sport of soccer to the next level here in West Texas. I feel good that this club is in good hands and look forward to seeing their success over the next many years."
The NPSL and Lone Star Conference: With over 90 teams, NPSL is one of the biggest National soccer leagues in the United States. In the last couple of years, 33 NPSL players have been drafted or signed by Major League Soccer teams including the Number One MLS SuperDraft Pick in 2022. The Lone Star Conference is known as one of the best conferences in the country with 11 successful teams throughout the state including long-time rival Laredo Heat, 2021 NPSL National Champion Denton Diablos and new club Lubbock Matadors.
West Texas has a Derby: While Midland-Odessa has a great soccer history, 2023 will be the first time that the club will have a West Texas Derby when the Lubbock Matadors come to town. In international soccer, Derbys are intense rivalry matches with two teams that are in close proximity to one another. Lubbock successfully joined the NPSL in 2022, averaging over 4,000 fans per game and barely missing the NPSL Playoffs during their expansion season. In 2023, Midland-Odessa will have a home and away series as part of the NPSL season which will provide fans with a road trip to support their team in Lubbock. Stay tuned for additional details about the West Texas Derby.
Get to Know the Cannons: Jason Cannon was born and raised in Sydney Australia. He earned a business degree from Red McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas in Austin and then an MBA from Babson College in Boston, MA. His wife, Melina, was raised in Midland and has a Bachelor of Architecture from School of Architecture of the University of Texas Austin.
Together they moved to Midland, Melina’s hometown, to start an investment company specializing in real estate. They expanded their business to include other investors and partners and have extended their holdings outside of Texas.
They started a family in Midland and quickly became immersed in the typical youth sports programs of the area. Jason coached youth soccer, basketball and t-ball for his children and sports continues to be an important part of their family life.
Stay Tuned: During the 2022 World Cup, Jason and Melina Cannon will make key club announcements including a new brand, logo and colors, sponsors and front office and coaching announcements. Until then, Midland-Odessa soccer fans can visit www.westtexasfc.com for club information, more information on the ownership group, to reserve your season seats while following the club on social media @westtexasfc (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram).