San Francisco Bay Blackhawks

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San Francisco Bay Blackhawks were a professional

United States Interregional Soccer League
(USISL). In 1993, the team competed in USISL as the San Jose Hawks, but left organized competition at the end of the season.

History

Based on the west coast of the United States, the

San Jose Earthquakes, entered the WSA as a charter member. In 1988, the Earthquakes' new owner, Bill Lunghi, withdrew the Earthquakes from the WSA. In response, the WSA awarded a franchise to Dan Van Voorhis, a San Francisco Bay Area-based real estate lawyer. Van Voorhis had gotten his start in real estate when he and his partner provided the legal expertise for the creation of the Blackhawk Ranch housing development.[1]
Van Voorhis named his new team, which competed in the newly renamed Western Soccer League's North Division, the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks.

Western Soccer League

In 1989, the Blackhawks immediately put their stamp on the league as one of the top teams. It ran to an 11–5 record and 98 points, second only to the

San Diego Nomads 12–4 record and 99 points. In the playoffs, the Blackhawks downed the Los Angeles Heat in penalty kicks
before losing 1–0 to the Nomads in the final game.

American Professional Soccer League

At the end of the 1989 season, the WSL merged with the east coast-based

American Professional Soccer League (APSL). While this was notionally the first true national soccer league since the collapse of the NASL in 1984, in actuality, the WSL and ASL continued as separate leagues with teams from the two leagues meeting only in the championship game. The Blackhawks had the best record in the WSL this year. In the playoffs, they first defeated 2–1 the Colorado Foxes, then won the title series two games to one over the Los Angeles Heat. In the APSL championship game, the Maryland Bays stopped the Blackhawks’ run with a victory in penalty kicks.[2]

Champions

In 1991, the APSL experienced a rapid contraction as most team owners realized they had jumped too quickly into a national league. Only three of the eleven 1990 WSL teams began the 1991 season, and the

Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the semifinals, then won their first and only championship with a victory over the Albany Capitals
.

1992 CONCACAF Champions Cup

The Blackhawks gained even greater honors when they entered the

Vancouver 86ers' withdrawal from the competition, they found themselves in their zone championship series. Here the Blackhawks' run came to an end as Club América of Mexico won 4–3 on aggregate. Mexican great Hugo Sánchez
scored three of América's goals.

While the Blackhawks outran their CONCACAF competition, they did not see similar domestic success. In 1992, the APSL was down to five teams from the eight that had finished the 1991 season. The Blackhawks were also beginning to fade, finishing the season in third place with an even record of 8–8. While they made the playoffs, they lost to the

United States Interregional Soccer League
(USISL).

USISL: San Jose Hawks

In 1993, the Blackhawks found themselves both in a new league and with a new name. USISL had placed the team in the Pacific Division which was loaded with local San Francisco teams, including the

Greensboro Dynamo and Orlando Lions
on goal differential.

Van Voorhis folded the team at the end of the 1993 season after losing money in a soccer-related lawsuit.

In 1994, shortly after having successfully landed a

San Jose Clash
) league-owned for several years.

Year-by-year

Year Name League Record Regular Season Playoffs Open Cup
1989 San Francisco Bay Blackhawks WSL 11–5 1st Northern Division Final Did not enter
1990 San Francisco Bay Blackhawks APSL 13–7 1st WSL Conference Final Did not enter
1991 San Francisco Bay Blackhawks APSL 17–4 2d Western Conference Champions Did not enter
1992 San Francisco Bay Blackhawks APSL 8–8 3rd Semifinals Did not enter
1993
 San Jose Hawks USISL 14–2 1st Pacific Division Sizzling Six Did not enter

Honors

APSL Champions

  • 1991

CONCACAF Champions' Cup

  • 1992 North/Central America Championship Series

Rookie of the Year

First Team All Star

Second Team All Star

WSL Top Goalscorer

Head coaches

Owner

  • Dan Van Voorhis

Stadiums

While the Blackhawks are best known for playing in

Buck Shaw Stadium
and Fremont Stadium.

References

  1. ^ Taylor, Michael (March 17, 2005). "Dan Van Voorhis—helped create Blackhawk, founded soccer team". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "American Soccer Final Tonight". The New York Times. September 22, 1990. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
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