San Diego Flash
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San Diego, California | |||
Capacity | 3,000[1] | ||
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Owners | Clenton A. Alexander Warren Barton | ||
Head coach | Jerome Watson | ||
League | National Premier Soccer League | ||
2015 | 1st, West-Southern Conference | ||
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San Diego Flash was an American
The team originally spent four years playing in the A-League, but spent almost a decade away from competitive soccer following its withdrawal from that league in 2001. Spearheaded by the efforts of former English Premier League footballer Warren Barton with former Flash player, Jerome Watson as assistant coach, general manager Travis Chesney and former US national team striker Eric Wynalda,[2] the team returned to the field as an exhibition team in 2010 leading to its return to competitive league play in 2011. The Flash dissolved before the 2018 NPSL season, dissolving with the passing of the team owner.
History
A-League Flash (1998–2001)
The original Flash played in the A-League between 1998 and 2001, having acquired the franchise from the defunct Colorado Foxes. The club's founders were president Yan Skwara and Vice-president/general manager Sam Kaloustian, and during the A-league years its head coaches included Ralf Wilhelms, Costa Skouras, Papo Santos, and Colin Clarke.
The club averaged approximately 2,500 fans per game when playing its home games at
The Flash were fairly successful during their short stint in the league, winning the Pacific Division in 1998 and 1999, finishing second in 2000 and 2001, progressing to the quarter-finals of the A-League playoffs in 2001, and reaching the third round of the
Rebirth and the NPSL (2010–2015)
The club was resurrected in 2010 by a new ownership group, the San Diego Soccer Partners, Inc., which is headed by former Flash part owner
The team resumed exhibition play in 2010 with the goal of returning to league play in 2011 in a league below Major League Soccer with Barton as head coach. In November 2010, during their final exhibition season game, the club announced that they would be returning to competitive league play in 2011 in the National Premier Soccer League, and that the team was being sponsored by Umbro. In January 2011 it was revealed that the team would be playing in the revived Southwest Division of the NPSL and the team would be playing their home games at the football/soccer stadium on the campus of Westview High School on the north side of San Diego. The move from their exhibition location in downtown San Diego was the decision of Flash Soccer CEO; Clent Alexander, for the team to play in a more modern facility.
2011 season
The Flash had a successful first season in the National Premier Soccer League going 12–1–1 on the field (10–3–1 officially due to two forced forfeits on technicalities). Their record was good enough to place first in the NPSL Southwest Division and home field for the first round of the 2011 playoffs. The Flash however were unable to defeat the defending NPSL champion Sacramento Gold in the first round of the playoffs losing 2–1.[4]
2012 season
The 2012 season did start on a somewhat sour note for the Flash having been eliminated from the
2013 season
2013 began for the Flash with the departure of coach Warren Barton and his replacement by Jerome Watson.
Players
2012 NPSL Roster
As of July 18, 2012[6]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable former players
Year-by-year
Year | Division | League | Reg. season | Playoffs | Open Cup | Avg. attendance |
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1998 | 2 | USISL A-League | 1st, Pacific | Conference Finals | Did not qualify | 3,083 |
1999 | 2 | USL A-League | 1st, Pacific | Conference Finals | 3rd round | 2,463 |
2000 | 2 | USL A-League | 2nd, Pacific | Conference Quarterfinals | 3rd round | 2,787 |
2001 | 2 | USL A-League | 2nd, Western | Quarter-finals | 2nd round | 580 |
On Hiatus from 2002 to 2010 | ||||||
2011 | 4 | NPSL | 1st, West-Southern | Division Semi-finals | Did not qualify | |
2012 | 4 | NPSL | 1st, West-Southern | Division Semi-finals | Did not qualify | |
2013 | 4 | NPSL | 2nd, West-Southern | Conference Final | Did not qualify | |
2014 | 4 | NPSL | 3rd, West-Southern | Conference Playoff | Did not qualify | |
2015 | 4 | NPSL | 1st, West-Southern | Division Semi-finals | Did not qualify |
Honors
- NPSL West Division-Southern Champions – (3) 2011, 2012, 2015
- USL A-League Pacific Division champions – 1999
- USISL A-League Pacific Division champions – 1998
Head coaches
- Colin Clarke (2000)
- Costa Skouras
- Papo Santos
- Ralf Wilhelms
- Warren Barton (2010–2012)
- Jerome Watson (2013)
Stadiums
- Stadium at Southwestern College; Chula Vista, California (1998–2000)
- Stadium at San Diego, California(2001)
- San Diego, California(2010)
- Stadium at San Diego, California(2011)
- Stadium at San Diego, California(2012–2013)
- Stadium at San Diego, California(2014–present)
Rivalries
San Diego Derby
The San Diego Derby is an annual contest that developed between the San Diego Flash and their crosstown rivals
References
- ^ "San Diego Sports Commission » Mira Mesa High School". Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ a b "San Diego Flash Soccer". Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
- ^ Makeshift F.C. opens with rousing victory San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA) – Friday, April 20, 2001
- ^ "SD Flash Lost on Soccer Nation, Soccer News, Youth Soccer, Pro Soccer, Club Soccer, Soccer Training". www.soccernation.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "SD Flash Go NASL? On SoccerNationNews Soccer News". www.soccernation.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "Coaches/Team Roster". San Diego Flash Professional Soccer Club. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "SD Flash Take Derby on SoccerNation News Soccer News". www.soccernation.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
External links
- Official site
- A-League archives including match reports and standings from 2000 and 2001 seasons