Wilmington Hammerheads
Encyclopedia
Wilmington Hammerheads is an American
professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina
. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division
, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
.
Having spent the 2010 season on hiatus from competitive play, the Hammerheads organization announced their intention to return to the field in 2011. The team had to cease its operations prior to the 2010 season due to the USL ending its relationship with the team's owner for not meeting certain key requirements set forth by the league.
The team plays its home games at Legion Stadium
, where they have played since 2003. The team's colors are sky blue and white. Their head coach is Englishman David Irving
.
2-1. Wilmington found great success in the US Open Cup in their later years, regularly drawing MLS
teams in the late rounds. Their most famous result occurred in 2003 when they drew the Dallas Burn
, an MLS team, in the middle of a particularly bad year. They shocked the soccer world by defeating the Burn 4-1 at Legion Sports Complex before bowing out to DC United 1-0 in the quarterfinal round. The Hammerheads regularly drew well over 2,000 fans per game, and had drawn nearly 5,000 for playoff games. On June 30, 2009, the Hammerheads upset the Chicago Fire in the third round of the 2009 US Open Cup 1-0 at home.
The final season of the Hammerheads was one of their most successful, but is also reported to be one of their most chaotic. After the 2009 season the USL explained that they had discontinued their relationship with the franchise owner Chuck Sullivan because "the USL is a franchised based league, where certain requirements must be met and in this case they were not met." The town of Wilmington was awash with rumors of what those requirements were, including reports of players not being paid since mid-season. The franchise was recently purchased by two investors (one based in Jacksonville, North Carolina
and the other in Chicago, Illinois).
The team is set to return to the pitch for the 2011 season. The team will participate in the USL Pro
League in the 2011 season.
The club signed four players from Ventura County Fusion
on March 2, 2011: Dylan Riley
, Ivan Becerra
, Manny Guzman
, and Jack Avesyan
.
- Head Coach/Director of Soccer Operations Roxanne DeMonte - Game Day Operations
Brian Cvilikas
Colin Falvey
Jamie Holmes
Glenn Murray
David Obua
John O'Hara
Jamie Watson
Junior Zarate
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
, the third 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...
.
Having spent the 2010 season on hiatus from competitive play, the Hammerheads organization announced their intention to return to the field in 2011. The team had to cease its operations prior to the 2010 season due to the USL ending its relationship with the team's owner for not meeting certain key requirements set forth by the league.
The team plays its home games at Legion Stadium
Legion Stadium
Legion Stadium is the main stadium on the Legion Sports Complex. The stadium's capacity is about 6,000, and it was built in the 1930s. It is located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The stadium has 3,500 seats in the grandstand and 2,500 visitor seats. The stadium also has 40 handicapped seats and a...
, where they have played since 2003. The team's colors are sky blue and white. Their head coach is Englishman David Irving
David Irving (footballer)
David Irving is a former professional football striker. His childhood ambition was to play for then Football League side Workington...
.
History
The Hammerheads had one championship in 2003, and were a finalist in 2002, losing to the Long Island Rough RidersLong Island Rough Riders
Long Island Rough Riders is an American soccer team based in South Huntington, New York, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its...
2-1. Wilmington found great success in the US Open Cup in their later years, regularly drawing MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
teams in the late rounds. Their most famous result occurred in 2003 when they drew the Dallas Burn
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
, an MLS team, in the middle of a particularly bad year. They shocked the soccer world by defeating the Burn 4-1 at Legion Sports Complex before bowing out to DC United 1-0 in the quarterfinal round. The Hammerheads regularly drew well over 2,000 fans per game, and had drawn nearly 5,000 for playoff games. On June 30, 2009, the Hammerheads upset the Chicago Fire in the third round of the 2009 US Open Cup 1-0 at home.
The final season of the Hammerheads was one of their most successful, but is also reported to be one of their most chaotic. After the 2009 season the USL explained that they had discontinued their relationship with the franchise owner Chuck Sullivan because "the USL is a franchised based league, where certain requirements must be met and in this case they were not met." The town of Wilmington was awash with rumors of what those requirements were, including reports of players not being paid since mid-season. The franchise was recently purchased by two investors (one based in Jacksonville, North Carolina
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a city in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 United States census, the population stood at 70,145, which makes Jacksonville the 14th largest city in North Carolina...
and the other in Chicago, Illinois).
The team is set to return to the pitch for the 2011 season. The team will participate in the USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
League in the 2011 season.
The club signed four players from 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 March 2, 2011: Dylan Riley
Dylan Riley
Dylan Riley is an American soccer player currently playing for Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
, Ivan Becerra
Ivan Becerra
Ivan Becerra is a Mexican footballer currently playing for Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL Professional Division.-College:...
, Manny Guzman
Manny Guzman
Emanuel "Manny" Guzman is a Mexican-American footballer currently playing for Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:Guzman grew up in Lakewood, California, and attended West Torrance High School...
, and Jack Avesyan
Hagop Avesyan
Hagop "Jack" Avesyan is an Armenian footballer currently playing for Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and amateur:...
.
Current roster
As of June 10, 2011.Staff
David IrvingDavid Irving (footballer)
David Irving is a former professional football striker. His childhood ambition was to play for then Football League side Workington...
- Head Coach/Director of Soccer Operations Roxanne DeMonte - Game Day Operations
Notable former players
Mark BriggsMark Briggs
Mark Jonathan Briggs is an English professional footballer currently playing for Mosta in the Maltese First Division...
Brian Cvilikas
Brian Cvilikas
Brian Cvilikas is an American soccer player currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
Colin Falvey
Colin Falvey
Colin Falvey is an Irish professional footballer who currently plays for Charleston Battery in the USL Professional Division.-Ireland:...
Jamie Holmes
Jamie Holmes
Jamie Holmes is an American soccer player who last played for Real Maryland Monarchs in the USL Second Division.-Professional:...
Glenn Murray
Glenn Murray
Glenn Murray is an English footballer who plays for Crystal Palace as a striker. Prior to joining Crystal Palace in June 2011, Murray has previously played for Brighton, Carlisle, Rochdale, Stockport, Barrow, Workington Reds and Wilmington Hammerheads.-Early career:Born in Maryport, Cumbria, after...
David Obua
David Obua
David Obua is a Ugandan footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Hearts and the Uganda national team.Having arrived at Hearts as a left wing-back, Obua has primarily been used as a left-sided midfield player, although he has also played a number of times as a striker.-Club career:Born...
John O'Hara
John O'Hara
John Henry O'Hara was an American writer. He initially became known for his short stories and later became a best-selling novelist whose works include Appointment in Samarra and BUtterfield 8. He was particularly known for an uncannily accurate ear for dialogue...
Jamie Watson
Jamie Watson (soccer)
Jamie Watson is an American soccer player who currently plays for Orlando City in the USL Professional Division.-College:...
Junior Zarate
Junior Zarate
Junior Zarate is a midfielder. He last played for the American USL Second Division side Wilmington Hammerheads....
- See also: All-time Wilmington Hammerheads rosterAll-time Wilmington Hammerheads rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for the Wilmington Hammerheads since the USL began keeping archived records in 2003...
Achievements
- USL Second Division Regular Season Champions 2009
- USL Pro Select League Champions 2003
- USL D-3 Pro League Southern Division Champions 2002
- USL D-3 Pro League Southern Division Champions 2001
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 | USISL Pro League | 3rd, South Atlantic | Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 1997 | 3 | USISL D-3 Pro League | 5th, South Atlantic | Did not qualify | 1st Round |
| 1998 | 3 | USISL D-3 Pro League | 6th, Atlantic | Division Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 1999 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 2nd, Atlantic | Conference Finals | 2nd Round |
| 2000 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 2nd, Southern | Conference Quarterfinals | 2nd Round |
| 2001 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 1st, Southern | Conference Finals | Did not qualify |
| 2002 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 1st, Southern | Final | Did not qualify |
| 2003 | 3 | USL Pro Select League | 2nd, Southern | Champion | Quarterfinals |
| 2004 | 3 | USL Pro Soccer League | 2nd, Southern | Quarterfinals | 3rd Round |
| 2005 | 3 | USL Second Division | 4th | Semifinals | 3rd Round |
| 2006 | 3 | USL Second Division | 8th | Did not qualify | 4th Round |
| 2007 | 3 | USL Second Division | 7th | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | 3 | USL Second Division | 7th | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 3 | USL Second Division | 1st | Semifinals | Quarterfinals |
| 2010 | on hiatus | ||||
| 2011 | 3 | USL Pro | 3rd Round |