Springfield Demize
Encyclopedia
Springfield Demize is an American soccer team based in Springfield, Missouri
, United States
. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.
The team plays its home games at the Cooper Sports Complex, where they have played since 2011. The team's colors are white and navy blue.
Demize also fields an indoor team the Professional Arena Soccer League
(PASL-Pro).
franchise, which had relocated to Glendora, California
to become Los Angeles Storm
at the end of the 2006 season. The ownership group of the Storm franchise, which included local businessman Doug Fiester and former professional players Chris Hanlon, Armen Tonianse, and Brett Thomas, launched the new team in early 2007, and began play that year.
The team started 2007 quite strongly, winning two of their first four games (3-1 over Colorado Rapids U23's and 3-2 over St. Louis Lions
), but quickly found life in the PDL difficult. June was tough for the team, losing five of their seven games, and conceding nine goals in their three matches against Thunder Bay Chill
; their final points of the season came with a 3-1 win over Sioux Falls Spitfire
on June 23. As if early elimination from the playoff race wasn't enough, July saw the team suffer two 8-0 demolitions by Des Moines Menace
and in the last game of the season at St. Louis Lions
, bringing a difficult freshman year to an ignominious close. Demize eventually finished sixth in the Heartland Division, a full 21 points behind champions Thunder Bay Chill
. Brett Thomas was the team's top scorer, although he only tallied three goals.
If 2007 was difficult for Demize, then 2008 was the stuff of which soccer nightmares are made. Beginning with their 2-0 opening day defeat to Colorado Rapids U23's, Springfield's season was an uphill battle to maintain sporting respectability in the face of overwhelmingly better opposition. The team managed to score just 8 goals all season, and were regularly on the receiving end of some gratuitously large scorelines at the hands of their opponents. Des Moines Menace
beat them 7-0 in just the second game of the season; Colorado Rapids U23's put another 6 past them in mid-June; the St. Louis Lions
beat them 4-0 in mid-July, and they were outclassed 5-1 by the eventual national champions Thunder Bay Chill
in the penultimate game of the season. Their visit to Springfield was a bright moment in the Demize season with the home team leading the game 1-0 until the 88th minute, only for the Thunder Bay Chill
to score two late goals to take all three points. Demize didn't manage to tally a single point all year, losing all of their 16 games; the closest they came to getting points on the board was the 3-2 defeat to St. Louis Lions
in early July, when they were 2-1 ahead at the half, but allowed St. Louis to come back and score their winner 8 minutes from time. Daniel Foerster, Nebojsa Opacic and Brett Thomas were Demize's token top scorers, with two goals each.
Nikola Katic
Cody Reinberg
Kashif Siddiqi
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2006, 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 Heartland Division of the Central Conference.
The team plays its home games at the Cooper Sports Complex, where they have played since 2011. The team's colors are white and navy blue.
Demize also fields an indoor team the Professional Arena Soccer League
Professional Arena Soccer League
The Professional Arena Soccer League is an North American indoor soccer league recognized by FIFRA ....
(PASL-Pro).
History
Springfield Demize was born out of the ashes of the old Springfield StormSpringfield Storm
Springfield Storm were an American soccer team, who played in the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid for one season, in 2005, after which the franchise was relocated to Glendora, California to become the Los Angeles Storm.They played...
franchise, which had relocated to Glendora, California
Glendora, California
Glendora is a municipality in Los Angeles County, California, United States, east of downtown Los Angeles. As of the 2010 census, the population of Glendora was 50,073....
to become 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...
at the end of the 2006 season. The ownership group of the Storm franchise, which included local businessman Doug Fiester and former professional players Chris Hanlon, Armen Tonianse, and Brett Thomas, launched the new team in early 2007, and began play that year.
The team started 2007 quite strongly, winning two of their first four games (3-1 over Colorado Rapids U23's and 3-2 over St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions is an American soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, 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.The team plays its home games at the...
), but quickly found life in the PDL difficult. June was tough for the team, losing five of their seven games, and conceding nine goals in their three matches against 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...
; their final points of the season came with a 3-1 win over Sioux Falls Spitfire
Sioux Falls Spitfire
Sioux Falls Spitfire was an American soccer team, founded in 2001. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home...
on June 23. As if early elimination from the playoff race wasn't enough, July saw the team suffer two 8-0 demolitions by Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace is an American soccer team based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1994, 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.The team plays its home games at Valley...
and in the last game of the season at St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions is an American soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, 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.The team plays its home games at the...
, bringing a difficult freshman year to an ignominious close. Demize eventually finished sixth in the Heartland Division, a full 21 points behind champions 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...
. Brett Thomas was the team's top scorer, although he only tallied three goals.
If 2007 was difficult for Demize, then 2008 was the stuff of which soccer nightmares are made. Beginning with their 2-0 opening day defeat to Colorado Rapids U23's, Springfield's season was an uphill battle to maintain sporting respectability in the face of overwhelmingly better opposition. The team managed to score just 8 goals all season, and were regularly on the receiving end of some gratuitously large scorelines at the hands of their opponents. Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace is an American soccer team based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1994, 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.The team plays its home games at Valley...
beat them 7-0 in just the second game of the season; Colorado Rapids U23's put another 6 past them in mid-June; the St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions is an American soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, 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.The team plays its home games at the...
beat them 4-0 in mid-July, and they were outclassed 5-1 by the eventual national champions 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...
in the penultimate game of the season. Their visit to Springfield was a bright moment in the Demize season with the home team leading the game 1-0 until the 88th minute, only for 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...
to score two late goals to take all three points. Demize didn't manage to tally a single point all year, losing all of their 16 games; the closest they came to getting points on the board was the 3-2 defeat to St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions is an American soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, 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.The team plays its home games at the...
in early July, when they were 2-1 ahead at the half, but allowed St. Louis to come back and score their winner 8 minutes from time. Daniel Foerster, Nebojsa Opacic and Brett Thomas were Demize's token top scorers, with two goals each.
Current roster
As of June 8, 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.Nikola Katic
Nikola Katic
Nikola Katic is a Croatian footballer who currently plays for Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Professional Division.-College:...
Cody Reinberg
Cody Reinberg
Stephen "Cody" Reinberg is an American soccer player who currently plays for Harrisburg City Islanders in the USL Second Division.-College:Reinberg attended St...
Kashif Siddiqi
Kashif Siddiqi
Kashif Mumtaz Siddiqi is an English-born Pakistani international footballer who plays as midfielder. He is currently without a club team.-Early career in England:Siddiqi played youth football for Hayes, Yeading and Boston United....
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 4 | USL PDL | 6th, Heartland | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | 4 | USL PDL | 6th, Heartland | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 4 | USL PDL | 7th, Heartland | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2010 | 4 | USL PDL | 6th, Heartland | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2011 | 4 | USL PDL | 7th, Heartland | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
Head coaches
Armen Tonianse (2007-2008) Chris Hanlon (2009) Logan Hoffman (2010) Julio Reyes (2011-present)Stadia
- Cooper Sports Complex; Springfield, MissouriSpringfield, MissouriSpringfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
(2007-2009, 2011-present) - Harrison Stadium at Drury UniversityDrury UniversityDrury University is a private liberal arts college in Springfield, Missouri.The university enrolls about 1,550 undergraduates, over 2,000 adult part-time undergraduates and around 400 graduate students in six master's programs...
; Springfield, MissouriSpringfield, MissouriSpringfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
(2010)
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.- 2007: 224
- 2008: 224
- 2009: 138
- 2010: 193