The good news for Kitsap Pumas Soccer Club is that for a second straight season they have qualified for the US Open Cup. This year they took it a step further, winning their opening round match in an overtime thriller. Last night the Pumas' organization was shown by the Portland Timbers that while strides are being made, the Bremerton outfit still have a long way to go.
The Kitsap Pumas have two supporters groups this season, the Hellcats and the Elite. Still, announced attendance is down from 2009. (Jenni Conner)
Maybe the message was on the scoreboard, where the 4:1 defeat to Portland could have been even wider. Last season Kitsap played the Timbers, who were having a fine season, closer, and better. This year with the Timbers treading water before they join Major League Soccer in 2010 it was clear that the Kitsap roster just wasn't good enough.
There also was another message to the Pumas suggesting there is much work to do. Only 1,200 fans showed up at Bremerton Memorial Stadium on a beautiful sunny Tuesday. About 100 of those were from Portland.
While Kitsap Pumas owner Robin Waite contemplates "going up" and being part of a new American third division in 2011, he'd do well to look more closely at what is happening in 2010. Poor weather has been an issue, but Pumas' announced attendance is down from last year. Will drawing 500 fans to a league match be enough in the higher division?
Finally, there is the wake-up call in league play. Last year the Pumas didn't lose a match until they had pretty much already clinched the title. After that they didn't lose again until they were eliminated in the playoffs. This year has hardly been a wash. Sitting at seven wins and only one loss Kitsap is well in line for a playoff spot. Still, we have to remember the Pumas are a professional club, paying their players. It's got to be a concern for them that Portland and Tacoma, who rely mainly on college talent 'home for the summer,' are fielding clubs as good or better than Kitsap are. Where did those months of pre-season training and salaries go to, if not to put the Pumas at a distinct advantage at this level?
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The Pumas must now concentrate on winning matches in the almost entirely-amateur PDL. The expectation is playoffs and a strong run at a national title, but rivals in Portland and Tacoma are doing as much or more with college players. (Jenni Conner)
So far, for as glorious as the young history of the Pumas has been, it has also had its moments that make me ponder about how it might have been that much better, and whether or not the near future is even a place the Pumas can "turn on" the people of the peninsula and make 'better' actually happen.
There were so many good photos from the Pumas-Timbers Open Cup match that I've published a second gallery of photos from Jenni and Chris below.
Comments
Timbers is one thing, they're going into the MLS next and have had a strong USL presence for years. How many fans is Tacoma drawing?
The USL site is acting up today, so I can't get actual reported numbers (attendance). Roughly-speaking, Tacoma Tide FC are getting around 100 fans per match. Kitsap are getting around 750. The Victoria Highlanders lead the league with about 1,450 per match. Last year the Pumas reported an average attendance of over 1,000.
Yeah, as of right now you've got to say that moving up is a dumb idea.
This is the best "small" club in North American football. C'mon David pull your head out. These guys can drop a match to an MLS club.
not ready to compete with teams like Charleston Battery, Richmond Kickers, Harrisburg City Islanders that are in the next level. Also only 500-800 attendance a match is below what those in the next level are getting.
Jimmy Jack works for the Pumas. He doesn't understand that the best possible compliment that can be given to them is to talk about them after a loss in a critical way: It says THEY MATTER. Maybe he'll wake up and thank me later, but I am not holding my breath.
Best small club in North America? LOL. I think Jimmy Jack *must* work for the Pumas. I mean, I love me some Kitsap football...but this club is underperforming in league, and drawing small crowds. Let's get real...so we can get better!
Timbers aren't in MLS yet. They currently are a very average division two side.
Any Pumas employee, player or supporter who is 'satisfied' with last night's performance or crowd should be shot on the spot.
Boy I am starting to miss the days of beating up on the Wolves. Why'd they have to go and sell to Crossfire :)
Hey, we've been beating up on Crossfire too! lol
Leave Tacoma out of this footballer. Love the article David. Last year the pumas were better and more fun to watch. JW forever!
Last thing- Lemme say it one more time: If it aint broke don't fix it!
hey kitsap kid, the point I was trying to make is that the Pumas are drawing 7.5 times the crowds Tacoma is drawing in a decidedly smaller market. It might not be what Robin Waite is hoping for, but it's a lot of people and it's a respectable number.
You stay out of it. Perhaps the attitude of some soccer fans, like you, keeps other potential fans away.
How can you say something one more time when you didn't say it in the first place? Dumb.
I posted this article link of the Pumas' official Facebook page. They took the link down.
Dave - repost it
I thought you were being too kind in the article - could have done a report card like the Sounders article
David
Wow, that's bad form on the organization's part to take the link down to this article. Perhaps just another sign that they're not ready to move up and be among the 'big boys'.
Has anyone ever been to the Seattle Sounders official site? Have you seen some of the Blog posts and Forum threads? Many are highly critical and several are even over the top. The club doesn't take them down or censor their speech and opinions. It's the passion and caring that is important.
If you only want to have posts that are positive and complimentary then I suppose there's a reason you're drawing small numbers--you don't understand your fan base and don't know how to pull in and retain the type of passionate fan that is required to succeed.
Ok newbie check out comments on this article: Kitsap-Pumas-outclassed-by-quicker-Timbers-U23s. Maybe you'll better understand the aint broke comment.
You can't compare the two clubs: One is professional the other not. one is stuck all the way out on the peninsula, where people are drawn to local events, the other not. Kitsap had the highest attendance in the league last year, but numbers are down. Tacoma is drawing the same numbers. All I'm saying is I don't think it's a good comparison. Victoria and Kitsap have similar demographics, compare them. My opinion: pumas shouldn't have made so many changes (roster n coach), a beer garden would help their attendance numbers out.
I'll make sure to keep a positive attitude so I don't upset potential fans.
Maybe they heard you guys. It has been reposted by the club. Also interesting to note that organized Pumas supporters are refocusing their support on the players. A movement is afoot.
JW forever!
That's what I was saying, too. You can't compare them.
I think the numbers are respectable. Pumas may need to be more visible in the community in the off-season. Sports reporters should question community support, including and especially community leaders. And I'm not a huge fan of Peter Fewing, but I'm not sure JW was the answer. If people are boycotting the matches because of some misguided sense of loyalty or solidarity, then shame. Tribalism at its worst. The one thing I for certain about soccer is that requires unity to work.
correction: "The one thing I know for certain about soccer is that it requires unity to work." Bye.
Absolutely. Come out and wear blue and white. You'll have a great time. We can all move this thing along together, Kitsap County!
Pumas have the Players on the team to play exciting possession soccer. Both USL Timbers and Kitsap Pumas played Anti-Soccer on Tues....Kitsap need to to have the players on the field that can keep possession and actually try to play. When soccer is fun to watch people want to come see it. The game was brutish and ugly on Tues.
TinyTimber, Portland can get like that. Just kidding. Maybe the boys were showing off for Sigi.
Doesn't Sigi's presence make up for a couple hundred people? In the world of soccer, that is like Lou Pinella coming to a Bluejackets game. If baseball had an amateur/professional tournament. I think it's very cool. Am I the only one? Did he stay until the end this year? The World Cup Game yesterday was a good lesson is staying until the end. And playing until the end.
Fewing is a joke. He plays his favorites, not the best players. Last year the Pumas were a much better team. Wedge had them playing attractive soccer and winning. Fewing plays his pets and the team can't possess or win. Everything is too direct. I was surprised that Wedge was canned for losing in the quarter finals. I think that Fewing's days are numbered. He may not even finish the season.
Play your best players who can possess, play attractive soccer, and win. Fortunately, the owner knows something about soccer himself and knows what good soccer looks like. Hint, bring Wedge back or get a coach who knows what he is doing!!!
Very poor form to take down the link! The Kitsap organization needs to grow thicker skin and welcome all publicity and even criticism. Falk knows what he is talking about and knows his soccer.
Let's hope that Fewing plays his better players the rest of the season, improves the product on the field, and that the Pumas make it back to the playoff
Chuck Stark picks up on this commentary over at the Kitsap Sun.
Copy / Paste into your browser:
pugetsoundblogs.com/stark/2010/06/24/pumas-year-2-as-good-as-year-1/
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