California Cougars
Encyclopedia
The California Cougars are an indoor soccer
team, founded in 2004. The team is a charter member of the Professional Arena Soccer League
(PASL-Pro), the first division of arena (indoor) soccer in North America.
They play their home matches at the Stockton Arena
in Stockton, California
. Their team colors are red, gold and black. The teams head coach is Antonio Sutton.
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 is hoping 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 . For the 2009-2010 season Stockton Cougars went back to calling itself California Cougars.
Nationality given from place of birth
(2005–2007) Bernie Lilavois
(2007–2009) Antonio Sutton (2009–2011)
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, founded in 2004. The team is a charter member of the Professional Arena Soccer League
Professional Arena Soccer League
The Professional Arena Soccer League is an North American indoor soccer league recognized by FIFRA ....
(PASL-Pro), the first division of arena (indoor) soccer in North America.
They play their home matches at the Stockton Arena
Stockton Arena
Stockton Arena is an indoor arena in Stockton, California. It opened in December 2005 and seats approximately 10,000 fans. The arena, at maximum capacity, can seat 11,800 people.It is primarily used for ice hockey, indoor soccer and arena football....
in Stockton, California
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
. Their team colors are red, gold and black. The teams head coach is Antonio Sutton.
History
In February 2004, John Thomas, a real estate developer, purchased an expansion team in the Major Indoor Soccer LeagueMajor Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
for Stockton, California
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
. 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
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, the team is hoping to draw fans of the old 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...
of the CISL
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...
and WISL
World Indoor Soccer League
The World Indoor Soccer League was a United States based indoor soccer league that existed from 1998 to 2001 and consisted of nine teams.-History:...
. 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
Professional Arena Soccer League
The Professional Arena Soccer League is an North American indoor soccer league recognized by FIFRA ....
and would be renamed the Stockton Cougars . For the 2009-2010 season Stockton Cougars went back to calling itself California Cougars.
Current roster
21 November 2009Nationality given from place of birth
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2006 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 2006–2007 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 2007–2008 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 2008–2009 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 14 | 9 |
| 2009–2010 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 14 | -1 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Head coaches
Troy DayakTroy Dayak
Troy Dayak is a former American soccer player who played as central defender. He spent his entire Major League Soccer career with the San Jose Clash/Earthquakes and nearly all of his professional career playing for Bay Area teams.-San Francisco Bay Blackhawks:Dayak grew up in Walnut Creek,...
(2005–2007) Bernie Lilavois
Bernie Lilavois
Bernie Lilavois is an American soccer forward who played two seasons in the American Professional Soccer League, one in the USISL, one in the USL A-League, four in the Continental Indoor Soccer League, six in the National Professional Soccer League, and four in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
(2007–2009) Antonio Sutton (2009–2011)