Kitsap Pumas
Encyclopedia
Kitsap Pumas is an American soccer team based in Bremerton, Washington
, United States
. Founded in 2008, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.
Kitsap are the reigning PDL champions, having beaten Laredo Heat
1-0 in the 2011 PDL Championship game on August 6, 2011.
The team plays its home games at Bremerton Memorial Stadium on the campus of Bremerton High School
, where they have played since 2009. The team's colors are blue, white and gold.
Kitsap also fields a professional indoor team which plays in the Pro Frontier Division of the Professional Arena Soccer League
.
, with the first goal in franchise history being scored by Tony Kerr
. 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. 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.
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. They missed a chance to take the division when they gave up a goal in stoppage time against the Timbers U23 on July 4, 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.
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, before losing to the Ventura County Fusion
2-1 in the PDL quarterfinals in Laredo, Texas
.
On August 11, it was announced that head coach John Wedge would not return for the 2010 PDL season. It was later revealed by Wedge that the loss to the Fusion cost him his job. On November 9, 2010 the club announced the hiring of Pete Fewing as its new head coach.
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 for their first ever win in the tournament. They lost to the Portland Timbers
in the second round, 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.
Kitsap was selected to host the Western Conference playoffs and outlasted the defending champs Ventura County Fusion
on penalty kicks in their semifinal match. 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 to the Portland Timbers U23's
.
That fall, the team entered the Professional Arena Soccer League
for the 2010-2011 indoor season, where they had a very strong season.
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. Kitsap beat the Timbers 3-2 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 to set up a first-ever official meeting with the Seattle Sounders (the two teams had played in closed door scrimmages the last two years.) Seattle defeated Kitsap 2-1 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 against Abbotsford. They lost their first ever international friendly - a 1-0 defeat against Football League Two
side Port Vale - and their last game of the season against Victoria, missing another chance to run the table for the regular season. The playoffs were a much different story, as Kitsap defeated Ventura County Fusion
1-0 and upset the Fresno Fuego
1-0 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 and the Laredo Heat
1-0 to win its first ever national title. Christner scored the game's lone goal off an assist by Burke.
Leon Abravanel
Derby Carillo Jason Cascio
John Fishbaugher
Cameron Hepple
Tony Kerr
Max Lipset
Bryan Meredith
Jamel Wallace
Bremerton, Washington
Bremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 38,790 at the 2011 State Estimate, making it the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula. Bremerton is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2008, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.
Kitsap are the reigning PDL champions, having beaten Laredo Heat
Laredo Heat
Laredo Heat is an American soccer team based in Laredo, Texas, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference....
1-0 in the 2011 PDL Championship game on August 6, 2011.
The team plays its home games at Bremerton Memorial Stadium on the campus of Bremerton High School
Bremerton High School
Bremerton High School is a high school located in the port city of Bremerton, Washington, west across Puget Sound from Seattle, in the Bremerton School District. As of the 2007-2008 school year, Bremerton High facilitates grades 9-12. Prior to fall 2007, the school only contained grades 10-12 while...
, where they have played since 2009. The team's colors are blue, white and gold.
Kitsap also fields a professional indoor team which plays in the Pro Frontier Division of the Professional Arena Soccer League
Professional Arena Soccer League
The Professional Arena Soccer League is an North American indoor soccer league recognized by FIFRA ....
.
History
The Pumas played their first official game on May 2, 2009, a 5-0 victory over the Spokane SpidersSpokane Spiders
Spokane Spiders was an American soccer team based in Spokane, Washington, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference...
, with the first goal in franchise history being scored by Tony Kerr
Tony Kerr
Tony Kerr is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Kitsap Pumas in the USL Premier Development League, and for the English National Beach Soccer team.-Career:...
. The Pumas qualified for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
in their first year beating the Cascade Surge
Cascade Surge
Cascade Surge was an American soccer team based in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played its home games...
3-0 at home on the final day of qualifying, outlasting the Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's is an American soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Although founded in 2008 as part of the development system for the Portland Timbers USSF D2 organization, beginning in 2011 they are part of the development system for the Major League Soccer franchise of...
by 1 point. Their stay in the tournament was a short one as they lost to the USL Division I Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
3-0 in front of a record crowd of 2,128.
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. They missed a chance to take the division when they gave up a goal in stoppage time against the Timbers U23 on July 4, 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.
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, before losing to the Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion is an American soccer team based in Ventura, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games in...
2-1 in the PDL quarterfinals in Laredo, Texas
Laredo, Texas
Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
.
On August 11, it was announced that head coach John Wedge would not return for the 2010 PDL season. It was later revealed by Wedge that the loss to the Fusion cost him his job. On November 9, 2010 the club announced the hiring of Pete Fewing as its new head coach.
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 for their first ever win in the tournament. They lost to the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
in the second round, 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
Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's is an American soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Although founded in 2008 as part of the development system for the Portland Timbers USSF D2 organization, beginning in 2011 they are part of the development system for the Major League Soccer franchise of...
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.
Kitsap was selected to host the Western Conference playoffs and outlasted the defending champs Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion is an American soccer team based in Ventura, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games in...
on penalty kicks in their semifinal match. It was the first time in club history that a match had gone penalty kicks. Dustyn Brim made a save while Jamel Wallace
Jamel Wallace
Jamel Anthony Wallace , is an American soccer player currently playing for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and College:...
converted the winning penalty attempt. But the Pumas did not have enough energy to outlast the eventual PDL national champions, losing 2-1 to the Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's is an American soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Although founded in 2008 as part of the development system for the Portland Timbers USSF D2 organization, beginning in 2011 they are part of the development system for the Major League Soccer franchise of...
.
That fall, the team entered the Professional Arena Soccer League
Professional Arena Soccer League
The Professional Arena Soccer League is an North American indoor soccer league recognized by FIFRA ....
for the 2010-2011 indoor season, where they had a very strong season.
The Pumas made a strong start to the 2011 season, but their early results were matched by Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's is an American soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Although founded in 2008 as part of the development system for the Portland Timbers USSF D2 organization, beginning in 2011 they are part of the development system for the Major League Soccer franchise of...
, 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. Kitsap beat the Timbers 3-2 as Robby Christner scored a brace while Bryan Meredith
Bryan Meredith
Bryan Meredith is an American soccer player who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:Meredith attended Monmouth University where he was team captain...
- who was drafted by Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
- 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
Real Colorado Foxes
Real Colorado Foxes is an American soccer team based in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, United States. Founded in 2008, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.In 2011, the team qualified...
3-1 to set up a first-ever official meeting with the Seattle Sounders (the two teams had played in closed door scrimmages the last two years.) Seattle defeated Kitsap 2-1 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 against Abbotsford. They lost their first ever international friendly - a 1-0 defeat against Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Port Vale - and their last game of the season against Victoria, missing another chance to run the table for the regular season. The playoffs were a much different story, as Kitsap defeated Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion is an American soccer team based in Ventura, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games in...
1-0 and upset the Fresno Fuego
Fresno Fuego
Fresno Fuego is an American soccer team based in Fresno, California, United States. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at Chukchansi...
1-0 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
Thunder Bay Chill
Thunder Bay Chill is a Canadian soccer team based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2000, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American and Canadian soccer pyramids, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games...
3-1 and the Laredo Heat
Laredo Heat
Laredo Heat is an American soccer team based in Laredo, Texas, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference....
1-0 to win its first ever national title. Christner scored the game's lone goal off an assist by Burke.
Current roster
As of June 28, 2011Notable former players
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.Leon Abravanel
Leon Abravanel
Leon Abravanel is an American soccer player currently playing for Los Angeles Blues in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and Amateur:...
Derby Carillo Jason Cascio
Jason Cascio
Jason Cascio is an American soccer player currently playing for Kitsap Pumas in the USL Premier Development League.-Youth and College:...
John Fishbaugher
John Fishbaugher
John Fishbaugher is an American soccer player currently playing for Washington Crossfire in the USL Premier Development League.-Youth and College:...
Cameron Hepple
Cameron Hepple
Cameron Hepple is a Bahamian footballer who currently plays for KF Tirana in the Albanian Superliga.-Early Career, College and Amateur:...
Tony Kerr
Tony Kerr
Tony Kerr is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Kitsap Pumas in the USL Premier Development League, and for the English National Beach Soccer team.-Career:...
Max Lipset
Max Lipset
Max Lipset is an American soccer player who last played for NSC Minnesota Stars in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-College and Amateur:Lipset attended St...
Bryan Meredith
Bryan Meredith
Bryan Meredith is an American soccer player who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:Meredith attended Monmouth University where he was team captain...
Jamel Wallace
Jamel Wallace
Jamel Anthony Wallace , is an American soccer player currently playing for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and College:...
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Northwest | Conference Finals | 1st Round |
| 2010 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Northwest | Conference Finals | 2nd Round |
| 2011 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Northwest | Champions | 3rd Round |
Honors
- USL PDL Champions 2011
- USL PDL Western Conference Champions 2011
- USL PDL Northwest Division Champions 2011
- USL PDL Northwest Division Champions 2009
Stadia
- Bremerton Memorial Stadium at Bremerton High SchoolBremerton High SchoolBremerton High School is a high school located in the port city of Bremerton, Washington, west across Puget Sound from Seattle, in the Bremerton School District. As of the 2007-2008 school year, Bremerton High facilitates grades 9-12. Prior to fall 2007, the school only contained grades 10-12 while...
; Bremerton, WashingtonBremerton, WashingtonBremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 38,790 at the 2011 State Estimate, making it the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula. Bremerton is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap...
(2009–present)
Average attendance
Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html.- 2009: 768
- 2010: 825