The Kitsap Pumas debuted in Bremerton in 2009 with a very successful season both on and off the pitch. The Pumas lost only one regular season match, qualified for the United States Open Cup, won the PDL Northwest Division, took their rivalry trophy, the Narrows Bridge Bell, and beat Seattle in the playoffs.
As we continue our 2009 in Review series, here are the Pumas of '09.
The Kitsap Sun offered excellent local coverage of the Pumas, giving the club exposure in West Sound.
Visit the GOALKitsap.com Pumas 2009 Season Museum Page
The Kitsap Pumas are the remnant of the old Seattle Sounders of the United Soccer Leagues. Robin Waite took the Sounders USL franchise to Bremerton after the 2008 season as Seattle Sounders FC prepared for their 2009 debut in Major League Soccer. After a name the team contest the club announced "Pumas" as their nickname. Later they announced their club crest and colors.
On the pitch
The Pumas had a great first season, winning the Northwest Division, claiming their rivalry trophy against Tacoma Tide FC, qualifying for the United States Open Cup, and winning a playoff match against Seattle Wolves FC.
The Pumas had a tight defense lead by goalkeeper Dustyn Brim, centerback Max Lipset, defender Mark Lee, and Steve Mohn, among others. They had various offensive weapons such as Tony Kerr, Stephen Phillips, Matt Friesen, Mark Conrad and a host of guys who could step up from the back or the middle to add goals.
The biggest wins for the Pumas in 2009 were a 3:0 victory over Cascade that clinched an Open Cup berth, a 1:0 win over Abbotsford that clinched the Northwest Division crown, a 4:3 win over Tacoma that won the Narrows Bridge Bell, and a 2:0 home playoff win over Seattle Wolves FC before over 2,300 fans.
The Pumas established an unrelenting style of attacking soccer that entertained and provided some highlight reel goals: Steve Mohn's long-range blast against Cascade, Mark Conrad's blast against Spokane, Kyle Johnson's header off an incredible cross from Tony Kerr against Vancouver, Alex Megson's slow pinpoint roller in the playoffs against Seattle.
In the stands
The Pumas drew an average of almost 1,300 fans per match in 2009. In terms of PDL attendance nationwide, this put Kitsap in the top five out of nearly seventy teams. The crowds were instantly responsive to the home side, bringing drums and pots and pans to bang on, painting faces and chests, waving checkered blue and white flags.
Memorial Stadium in Bremerton, a venue over 50 years old, converted well to soccer. The club brought in bleachers for each endline and donated a video scoreboard.
Local businesses and Bremerton High School parents provided concessions.
The Future
The Pumas have made no secret of their desire to work their way up to the second division of US soccer, just below Major League Soccer. Right now the United Soccer Leagues are in turmoil, with some of the clubs demoting themselves, while others have jumped ship to a new league called the NASL.
The Pumas have elected to stay in the USL's PDL for at least one more season (2010) as they assess their market and try to increase ticket revenues and sponsorship sales.
In 2010 the Pumas will wear "Windermere" on there jerseys as the first title sponsor for the club.
There were doubters who said that soccer would not sell in blue collar Bremerton. The Pumas showed in year one that there is interest in West Sound. The challenge is to increase attendance in 2010 and to go farther in the playoffs with new head coach Pete Fewing.
Visit: www.KitsapSoccerClub.com
Review: All of our Pumas coverage on Examiner
| Western Conference |
Overall |
Home |
Away |
||||||||||||||
|
Northwest Division 2009 |
Pts |
GP |
W |
L |
T |
GF |
GA |
W |
L |
T |
GF |
GA |
W |
L |
T |
GF |
GA |
|
01. Kitsap Pumas |
39 |
16 |
12 |
1 |
3 |
40 |
13 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
20 |
3 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
20 |
10 |
|
35 |
16 |
11 |
3 |
2 |
43 |
20 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
29 |
10 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
14 |
10 |
|
|
03. Seattle Wolves |
33 |
16 |
10 |
3 |
3 |
29 |
18 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
15 |
9 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
14 |
9 |
|
04. Cascade Surge |
24 |
16 |
7 |
6 |
3 |
29 |
26 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
15 |
9 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
14 |
17 |
|
22 |
16 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
37 |
25 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
21 |
12 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
16 |
13 |
|
|
21 |
16 |
6 |
7 |
3 |
26 |
22 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
20 |
8 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
14 |
|
|
07. Tacoma Tide |
19 |
16 |
5 |
7 |
4 |
34 |
40 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
18 |
21 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
16 |
19 |
|
14 |
16 |
4 |
10 |
2 |
28 |
36 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
17 |
14 |
2 |
6 |
0 |
11 |
22 |
|
|
09. Yakima Reds |
11 |
16 |
3 |
11 |
2 |
22 |
49 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
17 |
14 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
35 |
|
10. Spokane Spiders |
9 |
16 |
3 |
13 |
0 |
12 |
51 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
9 |
19 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
3 |
32 |
Pumas celebrate their 2009 NW Division crown. (Jenni Conner)
Comments
2009 was a GREAT first year for the Pumas. Was more fun than I expected and I'm looking forward to another great, fun year in 2010!
Loved that 2009 season! Hey, if MLS goes on strike, we've always got...:)
looking forward to taking the boat over to a few matches in 2010.
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