Southern California Seahorses
Encyclopedia
Southern California Seahorses is an American soccer team based in La Mirada, California
La Mirada, California
La Mirada is a city in southeast Los Angeles County, California, United States, and is one of the Gateway Cities. The population was 48,527 at the 2010 census, up from 46,783 at the 2000 census....

, United States. Founded in 2001, 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 Southwest Division of the Western Conference.

The team plays its home games at in the stadium on the campus of Biola University
Biola University
Biola University is a private, evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located near Los Angeles. Biola's main campus is in La Mirada in Los Angeles County, California. In addition, the university has several satellite campuses in Chino Hills, Inglewood, San Diego, and Laguna Hills.-...

, where they have played since 2010. The team's colors are royal blue, white and orange.

The Seahorses are a division of Missionary Athletes International (MAI), an organization which undertakes sports ministry
Sports ministry
A Sports Ministry is any competitive or non-competitive "activity that takes place during leisure time with the stated purpose or intention of helping people become aware of their need for a relationship with God, his daily role in their lives and their place in his kingdom work." Sport is an...

 to share the message of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...

 through the environment of soccer. They are a sister organisation of the USL2 side Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....

.

History

The Seahorses, which had previously been in existence as a youth soccer club since 1983, joined the PDL in 2001, and were successful immediately, finishing second to Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, 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...

 in their debut season with an impressive 13-6-1 record. 2002 continued the trend, when the Seahorses again finished second in the Southwest Division, this time behind Chico Rooks
Chico Rooks
The Chico Rooks was an American soccer team, founded in 1993 by Guido Barbero. The team was a member of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006...

, with an 11-7-0 record. Their first trip to the playoffs was also a successful one, when they beat Spokane Shadow
Spokane Shadow
Spokane Shadow was an American soccer team, founded in 1996. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2005, when the franchise was terminated by the PDL after the 10-year old artificial turf at their home...

 and 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...

 to advanced to the national final four, where they were defeated in the semi-finals by Boulder Rapids Reserve
Boulder Rapids Reserve
Colorado Rapids U23's was an American soccer team based in Boulder, Colorado, United States. Founded in 2000 as part of the development system for the Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...

.

The Seahorses missed the playoffs in 2003, finishing third behind divisional champions 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...

, and just missed out again in 2004, finishing third behind Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, 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...

, despite posting some impressive victories in the regular season, including 4-1 defeat of Nevada Wonders
Nevada Wonders
Nevada Wonders were an American soccer team, founded in 2003. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2005, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.They played their home games in...

 and a 5-1 demolition of San Diego Gauchos
San Diego Gauchos
San Diego Gauchos were an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team was sold to new owners, and the franchise was disbanded.The Gauchos played their...

.

The developing rivalry between the Seahorses and Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, 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...

 continued in 2005, when yet again the men from La Mirada finished a close second to their all-conquering Southland neighbors in the Southwest Division standings. The Seahorses began the season with a 5-game winning streak that included a 3-0 trouncing of California Gold
California Gold
Not to be confused with the television series California's GoldCalifornia Gold was an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and...

; however, they did not manage defeat - or even score a goal on - their rivals in their 3 games, losing 4-0, 3-0 and 3-0 to the eventual divisional champs. Nevertheless, the Seahorses were clearly the next best thing in the southwest, and enjoyed several impressive wins (including a trio of 3-0s over San Diego Gauchos
San Diego Gauchos
San Diego Gauchos were an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team was sold to new owners, and the franchise was disbanded.The Gauchos played their...

, Nevada Wonders
Nevada Wonders
Nevada Wonders were an American soccer team, founded in 2003. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2005, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.They played their home games in...

 and 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...

) in the second half of the season. Their trip to the playoffs was a short one, however, as the Seahorses lost to 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...

 first time out. Striker Anthony Stovall
Anthony Stovall
Anthony Stovall is an American soccer player.-College and Amateur:Stovall grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, attended Ridge View High School, and played college soccer at the University of South Carolina....

 registered an impressive 7 goals on the season, and Dylan Martinez led the team in assists.

2006 saw the Seahorses finally capture their first divisional title, besting Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, 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...

 by seven points at season's end. The year was one of solid consistency, and included a hugely impressive 9-game winning streak which stretched from early June to the end of July, and included two 4-0 victories (over Los Angeles Storm
Los Angeles Storm
Los Angeles Misioneros is an American soccer team based in Inglewood, 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...

 and California Gold
California Gold
Not to be confused with the television series California's GoldCalifornia Gold was an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and...

), and a hard-fought finale against the San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...

. However, for the second year in a row, the Seahorses' playoff excursion ended quickly with a 2-1 defeat to BYU Cougars. MLS-bound striker Josh Hansen
Josh Hansen
Josh Hansen is an American-born Puerto Rican international football player who currently plays for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the North American Soccer League.-College:...

 scored an impressive 8 goals and 4 assists on the season, closely followed by Romanian import Cristian Rus with 6. Keeper Eric Reed
Eric Reed (soccer player)
Eric Reed is an American soccer player currently playing for Syracuse Silver Knights in the MISL.-College and Amateur:...

 enjoyed the best goalkeeping statistics in the PDL, with a goals-against average of 0.621 per game, and keeping 10 clean sheets in his 15 games.

However, much like their crosstown rivals Blue Star, everything went wrong for the Seahorses in 2007. With Eric Reed
Eric Reed (soccer player)
Eric Reed is an American soccer player currently playing for Syracuse Silver Knights in the MISL.-College and Amateur:...

 having gone to new USL-1 franchise California Victory
California Victory
The California Victory was a USL First Division professional soccer team based in San Francisco, California. It was an expansion team for the 2007 season, but ceased operation in September of that year after parent club Deportivo Alavés withdrew its support....

, the Seahorses defence became incredibly leaky; the team suffered four defeats in their first five games - including a chaotic 4-3 loss to the San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...

 - and although things began to sure up towards the second half of the season, they found themselves unable to actually WIN any games. Five ties in their last ten games put an end to their playoff hopes early, although the team did finish with a flourish with a resounding 4-0 thrashing of Bakersfield Brigade
Bakersfield Brigade
Bakersfield Brigade was an American soccer team based in Bakersfield, California, United States. Founded in 2005, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The...

 on the final day, and eventually finished 7th. Midfielder Conan Hawkins led the scoring stats, tallying 4 goals on the season, while Chris Leiva registered 6 assists.

The downturn in form continued in 2008 for the Seahorses, who began the season with a 3-1 loss to San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...

, and then proceeded to win just one of their next eight games, a 1-0 road win over Lancaster Rattlers
Lancaster Rattlers
Lancaster Rattlers is an American soccer team based in Lancaster, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division.The team plays its home games...

. To their credit, few of the Seahorses' losses were blowouts: 0-1 here, 1-2 there, but in each game their strikers never quite seemed to breach the opposition defences, or show enough sharpness in front of goal. They enjoyed their revenge over Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, 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...

 with a 1-0 win in June, making up for a 4-1 thrashing earlier in the season, and put an end to the San Jose Frogs
San Jose Frogs
San Jose Frogs was an American soccer team based in San Jose, California, United States. Founded in 2005, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played its...

' playoff chances with an impressive 3-1 home victory in mid-July, but finished the year with a 5-2 hammering at the hands of 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...

, and a disappointing bottom-of-the-table clash with Lancaster Rattlers
Lancaster Rattlers
Lancaster Rattlers is an American soccer team based in Lancaster, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division.The team plays its home games...

 on the final day of the season which ended in a 1-1 tie and managed to keep them out of the basement spot. The Seahorses ended their season in 9th place; Chris Leiva, Diego Mejía
Diego Mejia
Diego Armando Mejía Pérez is a retired Salvadoran footballer.-Club career:Mejía came through the Chelona youth academy and had a couple of seasons at Alianza before moving abroad to play for Honduran giants Motagua. After six months he returned to El Salvador to play for Once Municipal and San...

 and Cristian Rus were the joint top scorers with three goals each, while Scott Lucky led the assist stats with 2 to his name.

The Seahorses entered their ninth season in the PDL looking to recapture the form of yesteryear, but it was not to be; despite welcoming ex-pros Josiah Snelgrove
Josiah Snelgrove
Josiah Snelgrove is a Canadian soccer player currently playing for F.C. New York in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and college:...

 and Adam Frye
Adam Frye
Adam Frye is an American soccer player currently playing for Southern California Seahorses in the USL Premier Development League.-Youth and College:...

 back into the fold, and despite posting an impressive 6-2 victory over Bakersfield Brigade
Bakersfield Brigade
Bakersfield Brigade was an American soccer team based in Bakersfield, California, United States. Founded in 2005, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The...

 in their second game of the season in which new signing Ryan Shaw netted twice, the Seahorses began to find that the story of their season would revolve around ties. The Seahorses drew eight of their sixteen regular season games, and were made to rue their matches with 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...

 and 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...

 in which they conceded a 90th minute equalizing goals when they looked odds-on to win. Their last win of the season came at the beginning of July, a 2-1 away victory over the Lancaster Rattlers
Lancaster Rattlers
Lancaster Rattlers is an American soccer team based in Lancaster, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division.The team plays its home games...

, and thereafter the men from La Mirada staggered to the finishing line, eventually finishing sixth in the division, eight points out of the playoffs, and missing the postseason for the third straight year. Ryan Shaw was the Seahorses' top scorer, with 6 goals.

Current roster

As of June 10, 2011.

Notable 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.

Mark Bloom
Mark Bloom
Mark Bloom is an American soccer player currently playing for Charlotte Eagles in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and Amateur:...

 Tomislav Colic
Tomislav Colic
Tomislav Čolić is a Serbian footballer currently playing for Los Angeles Blues in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and Amateur:...

 Adam Frye
Adam Frye
Adam Frye is an American soccer player currently playing for Southern California Seahorses in the USL Premier Development League.-Youth and College:...

 Josh Hansen
Josh Hansen
Josh Hansen is an American-born Puerto Rican international football player who currently plays for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the North American Soccer League.-College:...

 Patrick Ianni
Patrick Ianni
Patrick Edward Joseph Ianni is an American soccer player who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...

 Christopher Klotz
Christopher Klotz
Christopher Klotz is a retired American soccer player.-College:Klotz played club soccer for the Irvine Strikers and played four years of college soccer at the University of California, Irvine from 2002 to 2005, where he earned All Big West and Scholar Athlete Honors...

 Steven Lenhart
Steven Lenhart
Steven Lenhart is an American soccer player who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.-College and amateur:...

 Kiel McClung
Kiel McClung
Kiel McClung is an American soccer player, currently without a club.-Youth and College:McClung was a three-time letterwinner at Quartz Hill High School under coach Tony Bruce. McClung was named the Golden League’s Most Valuable Player as a Junior, Daily News Player of the Year, and also the CIF...


Diego Mejía
Diego Mejia
Diego Armando Mejía Pérez is a retired Salvadoran footballer.-Club career:Mejía came through the Chelona youth academy and had a couple of seasons at Alianza before moving abroad to play for Honduran giants Motagua. After six months he returned to El Salvador to play for Once Municipal and San...

 Ben Page
Ben Page
Ben Page is an American soccer player who currently plays for Charlotte Eagles in the USL Professional Division.-College:...

 Eric Reed
Eric Reed (soccer player)
Eric Reed is an American soccer player currently playing for Syracuse Silver Knights in the MISL.-College and Amateur:...

 Gregg Schroeder
Gregg Schroeder
Gregg Schroeder is an American soccer player, currently playing for Southern California Seahorses in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...

 Josiah Snelgrove
Josiah Snelgrove
Josiah Snelgrove is a Canadian soccer player currently playing for F.C. New York in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and college:...

 Anthony Stovall
Anthony Stovall
Anthony Stovall is an American soccer player.-College and Amateur:Stovall grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, attended Ridge View High School, and played college soccer at the University of South Carolina....

 Brent Whitfield
Brent Whitfield
Brent Whitfield is an American soccer player currently playing for Hollywood United Hitmen in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...

 Jeff Cocca

Year-by-year

Year Division League Regular Season Playoffs Open Cup
2001 4 USL PDL 2nd, Southwest Did not qualify Did not qualify
2002 4 USL PDL 2nd, Southwest National Semifinals Did not qualify
2003 4 USL PDL 3rd, Southwest Did not qualify Did not qualify
2004 4 USL PDL 3rd, Southwest Did not qualify Did not qualify
2005 4 USL PDL 2nd, Southwest Conference Semifinals Did not qualify
2006 4 USL PDL 1st, Southwest Conference Semifinals Did not qualify
2007 4 USL PDL 7th, Southwest Did not qualify Did not qualify
2008 4 USL PDL 9th, Southwest Did not qualify Did not qualify
2009 4 USL PDL 6th, Southwest Did not qualify Did not qualify
2010 4 USL PDL 5th, Southwest Did not qualify Did not qualify
2011 4 USL PDL 4th, Southwest Did not qualify Did not qualify

Stadia

  • Stadium at La Habra High School
    La Habra High School
    La Habra High School is a public co-educational high school located in the Orange County, California city of La Habra. Located between the Coyote Hills to the south and Puente Hills to the north, LHHS opened in 1954 and graduated its first class in 1956. It is a California Distinguished High School...

    ; La Habra, California
    La Habra, California
    La Habra is a city in the northwestern corner of Orange County, California. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 60,239. Its related city, La Habra Heights is located to the north of La Habra, and is in Los Angeles County.-Origin of name:...

     (2003–2004)
  • Goodman Stadium; La Mirada, California
    La Mirada, California
    La Mirada is a city in southeast Los Angeles County, California, United States, and is one of the Gateway Cities. The population was 48,527 at the 2010 census, up from 46,783 at the 2000 census....

     (2004–2009)
  • Stadium at Biola University
    Biola University
    Biola University is a private, evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located near Los Angeles. Biola's main campus is in La Mirada in Los Angeles County, California. In addition, the university has several satellite campuses in Chino Hills, Inglewood, San Diego, and Laguna Hills.-...

    ; La Mirada, California
    La Mirada, California
    La Mirada is a city in southeast Los Angeles County, California, United States, and is one of the Gateway Cities. The population was 48,527 at the 2010 census, up from 46,783 at the 2000 census....

    (2010–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.
  • 2005: 300
  • 2006: 279
  • 2007: 263
  • 2008: 328
  • 2009: 277
  • 2010: 233

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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