California Cougars

The California Cougars were an indoor soccer team, founded in 2004. The team was a charter member of the Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL-Pro), the first division of arena (indoor) soccer in North America.

California Cougars
Full nameCalifornia Cougars
Founded2004
Dissolved2011
GroundStockton Arena
Capacity10,050
Managing PartnersArt Pulido/Nanci Adinolfi

They played their home matches at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, California. Their team colors were red, gold and black. The team's head coach was Antonio Sutton.

History

In February 2004, John Thomas, a real estate developer, purchased an expansion team in the Major Indoor Soccer League for Stockton, California. The team was named the California Cougars so that it would represent all of northern California as a regional team.

The first general manager was Dennis Lukens, a former "A" League GM who oversaw the start up operation. He was succeeded by Emily Ballus, a former executive with the WUSA. Because it is only 40 miles south of Sacramento, the team hoped to draw fans of the old Sacramento Knights of the CISL and WISL. The team began play in the 2005–2006 season after the construction of its arena. In August 2006, the team was purchased by Rick and Greg Toy and their brother in-law Jim Rachels.

In May 2008, the team announced that it was joining the Professional Arena Soccer League and would be renamed the Stockton Cougars.[1] In April 2009, local businessman Fred Walke purchased majority interest in the franchise. For the 2009–2010 season Stockton Cougars went back to calling itself California Cougars.[2]

Year-by-year
Year League Logo Reg. Season Playoffs Avg. attendance
2005–2006 MISL II 6th MISL, 10–20 Did Not Qualify 3,170
2006–2007 MISL II 6th MISL, 7–23 Did Not Qualify 3,612
2007–2008 MISL II 8th MISL, 11–19 Did Not Qualify 5,095
2008–2009 PASL-Pro 1st Western,12–4 Won Championship 2,358
2009–2010 PASL-Pro 2nd Western, 12–4 Lost Semifinal 942
2010–2011 PASL-Pro 4th Western, 5–10 Did Not Qualify 721

Playoff record
Year Win Loss GF GA GD
2008–2009 2 0 23 14 9
2009–2010 1 1 13 14 −1
Total 3 1 36 28 8

Coaches

Head coaches

Assistant coaches
  • Dennis Lukens (2005–2006)
  • Antonio Sutton (2007–2009)[2]
  • Aaron Susi (2008–2011)

Arenas

References
  1. PASL
  2. Dhillon, Jagdip (July 26, 2009). "New Cougars owner has one goal in mind". The Record. Stockton, CA: Dow Jones Local Media Group. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
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