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Kitsap Pumas

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Kitsap SC Pumas was an American soccer team based in Bremerton, Washington, United States.[1] The team played in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. From its foundation in 2009 to 2016, the club played in the Premier Development League (PDL), as a professional club. As part of the agreement upon leaving PDL after the 2016 season, the club was unable to use the "Kitsap Pumas" name during the 2017 season while playing in NPSL. The club was officially renamed Kitsap SC until September 1, 2017 when the Pumas name was restored. The club announced on July 20, 2018 that it would cease operations due to declining attendance.[2]

Kitsap Soccer Club
Full nameKitsap Soccer Club
Nickname(s)Pumas
Founded2009; 15 years ago (2009)
Dissolved2018; 6 years ago (2018)
StadiumGordon Field, Kitsap County Fairgrounds
Bremerton, Washington
Capacity1,500
2018 (NPSL)3rd, Northwest Conference
Playoffs: DNQ

Kitsap won several titles including the 2011 USL PDL national championship. They defeated the Laredo Heat 1–0 in the 2011 PDL Championship game on August 6, 2011 held on their home field in Bremerton.

The team played its home games initially at the Bremerton High School Memorial Stadium, later at Gordon Field at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. The team's colors were blue, white and gold.

Kitsap had fielded an indoor team which played in the Northwest Division of the Premier Arena Soccer League for 4 seasons from the 2010–11 season until the 2013–14 season.[3]

History

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The long-term goal of the organization was to build the club up into a USL Pro side.[4] Club owner Robin Waite was a minority owner in the USL 1 Seattle Sounders prior to its move to Major League Soccer and acquired their USL rights.[1] A USL PDL franchise was announced on December 17, 2008.[5]

The Pumas were one of four expansion teams in the NW Division of 2009 PDL season along with the Victoria Highlanders, Portland Timbers U23s, and Seattle Wolves. The Pumas played their first official game on May 2, 2009, a 5–0 victory over the Spokane Spiders, with the first goal in franchise history being scored by Tony Kerr.[6] The Pumas qualified for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in their first year beating the Cascade Surge 3–0 at home on the final day of qualifying, outlasting the Portland Timbers U23's by 1 point.[7] Their stay in the tournament was a short one as they lost to the USL Division I Portland Timbers 3–0 in front of a record crowd of 2,128.[8]

Kitsap rebounded with victories in its next five games to take a commanding lead in the Northwest Division. The Pumas became the first team in the PDL to clinch a playoff spot, doing so on July 5.[9] They missed a chance to take the division when they gave up a goal in stoppage time against the Timbers U23 on July 4,[10] but defeated the Abbotsford Mariners 1–0 on July 11 as Stephen Phillips scored off an Alex Megson assist to earn the team's first ever Northwest Division title and a first round playoff bye.[11]

Kitsap went on to beat the Seattle Wolves in their first ever play-off match 2–0 in front of a new club record attendance of 2,328,[12] before losing to the Ventura County Fusion 2–1 in the PDL quarterfinals in Laredo, Texas.[13]

On August 11, it was announced that head coach John Wedge would not return for the 2010 PDL season.[14] It was later revealed by Wedge that the loss to the Fusion cost him his job.[15] On November 9, 2009, the club announced the hiring of Seattle University coach Pete Fewing as its new head coach.[16]

Kitsap got off to another strong start for the 2010 season as they won their first five games to qualify for the U.S. Open Cup for the second straight season. They defeated the NPSL Bay Area Ambassadors 4–2[17] for their first ever win in the tournament. They lost to the Portland Timbers in the second round,[18] the second time in as many years they were eliminated by the then USL-1 club. The Pumas also had problems with the Portland Timbers U23's as well, losing 3–0 and 1–0 in regular season contests. Despite not repeating as division champs, Kitsap clinched the second and final playoff spot by defeating Vancouver 6–2 on July 20.[19]

Kitsap was selected to host the Western Conference playoffs and outlasted the defending champs Ventura County Fusion on penalty kicks in their semi-final match.[20] It was the first time in club history that a match had gone penalty kicks. Dustyn Brim made a save while Jamel Wallace converted the winning penalty attempt. But the Pumas did not have enough energy to outlast the eventual PDL national champions, losing 2–1[21] to the Portland Timbers U23's.

That fall, the team entered the Professional Arena Soccer League for the 2010–11 indoor season,[22]

The Pumas made a strong start to the 2011 season, but their early results were matched by Portland Timbers U23's, who also made a strong start to the season, with both teams tied in all statistical qualifiers for the U.S. Open Cup. Instead of holding a lottery, the Pumas persuaded the Timbers and the USL to let their next regular season match against each other double as a qualification for the tournament.[23] Kitsap beat the Timbers 3–2[24] as Robby Christner scored a brace while Bryan Meredith – who was drafted by Seattle Sounders FC – made a key save on a penalty kick to help the Pumas become the first PDL team to qualify for the Open Cup their first three years as an organization. The Pumas defeated the Chivas El Paso Patriots in a first round Open Cup match in penalty kicks. Goalkeeper Zac Lubin – who was starting in place of an injured Meredith – held the Patriots scoreless for the entire match. He then made two saves in the penalty shootout, which went nine rounds before Bryan Burke converted in the ninth round to send the team into the second round of the tournament. They defeated the Real Colorado Foxes 3–1[25] to set up a first-ever official meeting with the Seattle Sounders FC (the two teams had previously played in closed door scrimmages over the last two years). Seattle defeated Kitsap 2–1[26] in a match that saw the Pumas miss on two chances on goal to upset the two-time defending Cup champions.

Back in league play, Kitsap stayed undefeated for much of the season, clinching a second division championship with a scoreless draw[27] against Abbotsford. They lost their first ever international friendly – a 1–0[28] defeat against Football League Two side Port Vale – and their last game of the season against Victoria Highlanders, missing another chance to run the table for the regular season. The playoffs were a different story, as Kitsap defeated Ventura County Fusion 1–0 and upset the Fresno Fuego 1–0[29] to win its first ever Western Conference title. The match against Fresno ended a 25-game winning streak by the Fuego. Daniel Scott scored in injury time while Meredith made a save off a penalty kick attempt by PDL MVP Milton Blanco a few seconds later to ensure the win. Kitsap returned home to host the PDL championship and made it pay off, as they defeated the Thunder Bay Chill 3–1[30] and the Laredo Heat 1–0[31] to win its first ever national title. Christner scored the game's lone goal off an assist by Burke.

On Oct 27, Waite announced that Fewing would not return next season.[32] A month later, the club announced that assistant coach James Ritchie would take over the head coaching spot.[33]

In the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Kitsap was eliminated in the second round by Seattle Sounders FC 2, the USL reserve side of the MLS club.[34]

In the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup third round, Kitsap upset Sacramento Republic FC of the USL, defeating them away 3–1 and earning a match against the Seattle Sounders.[35] The Sounders would go on to defeat Kitsap 2–0.[36]

NPSL

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In November 2016, the club announced that it would move to the National Premier Soccer League and rename itself "Kitsap Soccer Club" beginning in fall 2017.[37]

Dissolution

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Kitsap SC announced on July 20, 2018 that it would cease operations due to declining attendance.[2]

Players

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Notable former players

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This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.

Record

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Year-by-year

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Year Division League Regular season Playoffs US Open Cup Avg. attendance
2009 4 USL PDL 1st, Northwest Conference Finals 1st round 768
2010 4 USL PDL 2nd, Northwest Conference Finals 2nd round 825
2011 4 USL PDL 1st, Northwest Champions 3rd round 568
2012 4 USL PDL 3rd, Northwest Conference Quarter-Finals 1st round 438
2013 4 USL PDL 5th, Northwest did not qualify did not qualify 605
2014 4 USL PDL 1st, Northwest Championship Final did not qualify 463
2015 4 USL PDL 1st, Northwest Conference Semi-final 2nd round —
2016 4 USL PDL 4th, Northwest did not qualify 4th round —
2017 4 NPSL 1st, Northwest Region Semi-final did not qualify —
2018 4 NPSL 3rd, Northwest did not qualify 1st round —

Honors

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  • USL PDL Championships
  • USL PDL Western Conference
  • USL PDL Northwest Division
  • NPSL Northwest Conference
  • Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
  • Minor Cups
    • Narrows Bridge Bell Champions (3): 2009, 2010, 2011
    • Ruffneck Cup champions (4): 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Head coaches

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Stadia

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Crest

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The official Kitsap Soccer Club crest was designed by Joel DuChesne, who won a competition held by the club to design a logo for the team prior to the 2009 season. Pumas owner Robin Waite said "We were floored when Joel's entry came it. It struck so completely at the heart of what the Kitsap Soccer Club is all about – traditional, authentic, yet modern, clean and looking to the future. He absolutely nailed it." As his prize, DuChesne was presented with tickets to the club's opening match against Tacoma Tide on May 15, 2009, and a pair of 2009 full-season tickets.[39][40]

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Club". Kitsap Pumas. Archived from the original on November 27, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Brown, Jared (July 20, 2018). "Kitsap Pumas won't field team in 2019 after 10 seasons, 1 national championship, owner says". Kitsap Sun. Bremerton, WA. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  3. ^ "Kitsap Briefs: Pumas tie South Sound on late goal". Kitsap Sun. December 14, 2012. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  4. ^ Graham, Jeff (July 10, 2010). "Is Owner's Vision for Kitsap Pumas a Pipe Dream?". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  5. ^ "Kitsap Pumas unveiled in Bremerton" (Press release). United Soccer Leagues. December 17, 2008. Archived from the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  6. ^ "Official Match information: Kitsap Pumas at Spokane Spiders, 5:0". USLsoccer.com. May 2, 2009. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  7. ^ "2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - U.S. Soccer". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2009.
  8. ^ Graham, Jeff (June 9, 2009). "Pumas Closed Out of Open Cup". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  9. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on July 30, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  10. ^ "Pumas Draw Away to Second Place Timbers 1–1". Kitsap Soccer Club. July 4, 2009. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  11. ^ Graham, Jeff (July 11, 2009). "Kitsap Pumas Take Division Title". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  12. ^ Graham, Jeff (July 25, 2009). "Kitsap Pumas Send Seattle Packing". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  13. ^ Graham, Jeff (July 31, 2009). "Pumas Cry Foul in Season-Ending Defeat". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  14. ^ Graham, Jeff (August 11, 2009). "Wedge Won't Return as Pumas Coach". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  15. ^ Graham, Jeff (August 12, 2009). "Wedge: Playoff Loss Cost Me Pumas' Job". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  16. ^ Graham, Jeff (November 9, 2009). "Pumas Lure Fewing to West Sound". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  17. ^ Jeff Graham (June 22, 2010). "Kitsap Pumas Survive Open Cup Thriller". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  18. ^ Graham, Jeff (June 22, 2010). "U.S. Open Cup: Pumas Felled by Timbers". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  19. ^ John Becerra Jr. (July 21, 2010). "Pumas Punch Ticket to Playoffs". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  20. ^ Jeff Graham (July 31, 2010). "Kitsap Pumas Beat Ventura, Advance Today to Showdown With Portland". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  21. ^ Jeff Graham (August 1, 2010). "Pumas Run Out of Gas in Playoffs". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  22. ^ Graham, Jeff (November 11, 2010). "Pumas Soccer Now Served Cold". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  23. ^ Jeff Graham (May 31, 2011). "Pumas, Timbers to play for Open Cup berth". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  24. ^ Jeff Graham (June 3, 2011). "Pumas top Timbers, gain Open Cup berth". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  25. ^ Nathan Joyce (June 21, 2011). "Kitsap Pumas have date with Seattle Sounders". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  26. ^ Jeff Graham (June 28, 2011). "Sounders knock Pumas out of Open Cup 2–1". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  27. ^ Jeff Graham (July 9, 2011). "Pumas want more after earning division title". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  28. ^ John Becerra Jr. (July 19, 2011). "English visitors not so friendly to Pumas". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  29. ^ Jeff Graham (July 31, 2011). "Pumas win conference title, will host league finals". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  30. ^ Jeff Graham (August 5, 2011). "Kitsap Pumas advance to PDL championship game". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  31. ^ Jeff Graham (August 6, 2011). "Pumas beat Heat to claim PDL Championship". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  32. ^ Chuck Stark (October 27, 2011). "Waite makes the call; Fewing won't be back with Pumas". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
  33. ^ Jeff Graham (November 29, 2011). "Pumas select Ritchie as next head coach". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  34. ^ Pentz, Matt (May 20, 2015). "S2 defeats Kitsap Pumas in extra time, advances to third round of the U.S. Open Cup". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  35. ^ Paterson, Bill (June 1, 2016). "Kitsap Pumas stun Republic FC 3–1 in U.S. Open Cup". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  36. ^ Dyer, David (June 15, 2016). "Sounders survive Kitsap, advance in U.S. Open Cup". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  37. ^ Graham, Jeff (November 1, 2016). "Kitsap Pumas leaving PDL after eight seasons". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  38. ^ Graham, Jeff. "Former Kitsap Pumas coach Bird hoping to land MLS Cup". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  39. ^ "Kitsap Soccer Club". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2009.
  40. ^ Graham, Jeff (March 24, 2009). "Former Husky Becomes First Member of Kitsap Pumas". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
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