MLS Legend Roy Lassiter Named Head Coach of Denton Diablos

Denton, TX (March 5th, 2026) — The Denton Diablos are delighted to announce the appointment of former Major League Soccer Golden Boot winner Roy Lassiter as the club’s new head coach, bringing one of the most storied careers in American soccer to the touchline.

Lassiter’s journey through professional soccer has spanned continents, championships, and defining moments in the growth of the sport in the United States. He began his professional career in Costa Rica with AD Municipal Turrialba, AD Carmelita, and Liga Deportiva Alajuelense before joining Major League Soccer in 1995.

In MLS, Lassiter made an immediate impact with the Tampa Bay Mutiny, winning the league’s Golden Boot in 1996 with 27 goals, a single-season record that stood until 2018 when it was broken by Josef Martínez of Atlanta United FC. He later played for D.C. United, helping the club win the 1999 MLS Cup, and also had stints with the Miami Fusion and Kansas City Wizards. During his MLS career, Lassiter was selected to the MLS All-Star Game in 1996, 1998, and 1999, earned the 1996 MLS Golden Boot and MLS Best XI honors with Tampa Bay, and was named MVP of the CONCACAF Champions League in 1998 while playing for D.C. United. He finished his MLS career with 88 regular-season goals and 13 playoff goals, ranking among the league’s top postseason scorers alongside players such as Carlos Ruiz and Landon Donovan.

Internationally, Lassiter earned 34 caps and scored four goals for the United States men’s national soccer team, including a memorable game-winning goal against Saudi Arabia in 1995. His international experience and understanding of the game at the highest level provide him with a unique perspective as a coach.

A holder of the U.S. Soccer Federation A License, Lassiter began his coaching career with Kitsap Soccer Club in 2017, later serving as an assistant coach with Houston Dynamo 2 from 2022 to 2023 before leading Carolina Core FC of MLS NEXT Pro in 2024.

Roy now joins the Diablos for an exciting USL League Two season in the brand-new Ranger Division, with the team looking to improve on their fourth-place finish in 2025. Fans can secure season tickets now and mark their calendars for the home opener on May 23.

Aspiring players have the opportunity to learn from one of U.S. soccer’s most legendary goal-scorers. Sign up for USL League Two Open Tryout I on March 22 and take your shot at joining Roy Lassiter and the Diablos.