Anaheim Splash
Encyclopedia
The Anaheim Splash was a U.S. indoor soccer
team that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
(CISL). It was founded in 1992 as the Los Angeles United, but was sold after the season. The new ownership moved the team to Anaheim, California
and renamed it the Anaheim Splash. The team folded in 1997, along with the CISL.
, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers
, was instrumental in the founding of the CISL. On August 19, 1992, he was awarded a franchise named Los Angeles United. The team played in the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California
, which was also owned by Buss. The team went 6-22, drawing an average of less than 2,000 fans per game. At the end of the season, Buss sold the team to Ogden Facility Management.
- General Manager (1996-97) Tim Ryan
- General Manager (1994-96) Steve Samaha - Director of Operations (1996-97) Tim Orchard - Co-Governor / Player Personnel Manager (1994-96) Brad Mayne = Co-Governor (1994-96)
(1994-95) Ian Fulton (1996) Dale Ervine
(1997)
Mike Fox
- Assistant Coach
in the playoff semifinals. In 1995, the CISL rearranged the teams, moving Anaheim to the Southern Division. Anaheim again won the division title before losing in the semifinals, this time to the Sacramento Knights
. In 1996, the league began losing teams, leading to another readjustment of the teams, with the Splash returning to the Western Division, placing second in the division, but losing to the quarterfinals. In 1997, the Splash again finished second in the division, but lost in the second round to the Sacramento Knights
. The CISL and Anaheim Splash both folded on December 23, 1997. During its four seasons in Anaheim, the Splash averaged just under nine thousand spectators per game.
Defender of the Year
Goalkeeper of the Year
First Team All Star
," has gone on to a long career as the Los Angeles Galaxy
's English-language announcer.
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
team that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
(CISL). It was founded in 1992 as the Los Angeles United, but was sold after the season. The new ownership moved the team to Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
and renamed it the Anaheim Splash. The team folded in 1997, along with the CISL.
Los Angeles United
In the fall of 1992, Jerry BussJerry Buss
Gerald Hatten "Jerry" Buss Ph.D., M.S. is an American businessman, real estate investor, and a former chemist. He is the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers professional basketball team along with other professional sports franchises in Southern California...
, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, was instrumental in the founding of the CISL. On August 19, 1992, he was awarded a franchise named Los Angeles United. The team played in the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California
Inglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
, which was also owned by Buss. The team went 6-22, drawing an average of less than 2,000 fans per game. At the end of the season, Buss sold the team to Ogden Facility Management.
Ownership
- Jerry BussJerry BussGerald Hatten "Jerry" Buss Ph.D., M.S. is an American businessman, real estate investor, and a former chemist. He is the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers professional basketball team along with other professional sports franchises in Southern California...
(1993) - Ogden Facility Management (1994-96)
- The Anaheim Splash, Inc. (1996-97)
Staff
Gary Sparks - Managing Partner (1996-97) Don EbertDon Ebert
Don Ebert is a retired U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career with two indoor clubs, the St. Louis Steamers and the Los Angeles Lazers.-Youth:Ebert attended Rosary High School Missouri...
- General Manager (1996-97) Tim Ryan
Tim Ryan
Timothy John "Tim" Ryan is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the Ohio Senate.-Early life, education and career:...
- General Manager (1994-96) Steve Samaha - Director of Operations (1996-97) Tim Orchard - Co-Governor / Player Personnel Manager (1994-96) Brad Mayne = Co-Governor (1994-96)
Year-by-year
| Year | Record | Regular Season | Playoffs | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 6-22 | 7th | Did not qualify | 1,913 |
Coach
George FernandezGeorge Fernandez
George Fernandez is a retired American soccer defender who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer League. He coached in both the Continental Indoor Soccer League and NPSL and was the 1994 CISL Coach of the Year.-Youth:Born in San Francisco,...
(1994-95) Ian Fulton (1996) Dale Ervine
Dale Ervine
Dale Ervine is a former U.S. soccer midfielder who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He also earned five caps with the U.S. national team between 1985 and 1993.-College:...
(1997)
Mike Fox
Mike Fox (soccer)
Michael “Mike” Fox is a retired American soccer midfielder. He began his professional career with the New York Cosmos in 1983 and ended it with the Los Angeles Heat in 1994. In between those two teams, he played for numerous teams in multiple indoor and outdoor league. He also earned seventeen...
- Assistant Coach
Anaheim Splash
When Ogden Facility Maganement purchased Los Angeles United, they moved the team to the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim and renamed the team the Anaheim Splash to capitalize on the name of the team’s arena. The team saw an immediate turn around on the field, going 20-8 and losing to the Las Vegas DustdevilsLas Vegas Dustdevils
The Las Vegas Dustdevils were an indoor soccer team based out of Las Vegas, Nevada that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League . The team won the league championship in 1994, but folded after their second season.-History:...
in the playoff semifinals. In 1995, the CISL rearranged the teams, moving Anaheim to the Southern Division. Anaheim again won the division title before losing in the semifinals, this time to the Sacramento Knights
Sacramento Knights
Sacramento Knights were an indoor soccer team that played from 1993 to 2001 in ARCO Arena and were owned by the NBA's Sacramento Kings. The team played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1993 to 1997. The team then moved to the World Indoor Soccer League in 1998 after the CISL folded...
. In 1996, the league began losing teams, leading to another readjustment of the teams, with the Splash returning to the Western Division, placing second in the division, but losing to the quarterfinals. In 1997, the Splash again finished second in the division, but lost in the second round to the Sacramento Knights
Sacramento Knights
Sacramento Knights were an indoor soccer team that played from 1993 to 2001 in ARCO Arena and were owned by the NBA's Sacramento Kings. The team played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1993 to 1997. The team then moved to the World Indoor Soccer League in 1998 after the CISL folded...
. The CISL and Anaheim Splash both folded on December 23, 1997. During its four seasons in Anaheim, the Splash averaged just under nine thousand spectators per game.
Year-by-year
| Year | Record | Regular Season | Playoffs | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 20-8 | 1st Western | Semifinal | 4,688 |
| 1995 | 17-11 | 1st Southern | Semifinal | 8,429 |
| 1996 | 15-13 | 2nd Western | Quarterfinal | 6,112 |
| 1997 | 16-12 | 2nd Western | Second round | 6,343 |
| 4 | 68-44 | - | - | 6,393 |
| with Los Angeles | ||||
| 5 | 74-66 | - | - | 5,497 |
Honor
Coach of the Year- 1994: George FernandezGeorge FernandezGeorge Fernandez is a retired American soccer defender who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer League. He coached in both the Continental Indoor Soccer League and NPSL and was the 1994 CISL Coach of the Year.-Youth:Born in San Francisco,...
Defender of the Year
- 1994: Ralph BlackRalph Black (soccer)Ralph Black is a retired Scottish-American soccer defender who spent most of his career in indoor soccer.-MISL:...
Goalkeeper of the Year
- 1995: Ruben FernandezRuben FernandezRubén Fernández Real is a retired Paraguayan football player. He captained the national team during the 1953 South American Championship that was won by Paraguay.-Career:...
First Team All Star
- 1994: Ralph BlackRalph Black (soccer)Ralph Black is a retired Scottish-American soccer defender who spent most of his career in indoor soccer.-MISL:...
- 1995: Sean BowersSean BowersSean Bowers is a retired U.S. soccer defender. He spent most of his career playing indoor soccer, earning the 1992 NPSL Rookie of the Year, four-time Defender of the Year and a six-time first team All Star in four different indoor leagues. He also played four seasons with the Kansas City Wizards...
Radio broadcasts
Joe Tutino called Splash games on KPLS radio in the 1994 and '95 seasons. Tutino, who was then a production assistant and update reader on "XTRA Sports 690XEWW-AM
XEWW-AM are the call letters of a border-blaster radio station licensed to the Tijuana / Rosarito area of Baja California, Mexico, with additional studio facilities in Burbank, California, United States. They are a high-power station, with their 77,500 watt signal sometimes reaching as far as the...
," has gone on to a long career as the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
's English-language announcer.