New Hampshire Phantoms
Encyclopedia
New Hampshire Phantoms is an American soccer team based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
, United States
. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.
The team plays its home games in the stadium on the campus of Portsmouth High School
, where they have played since 2011. The team's colors are blue, white, gold and black.
The team also fields a team in the USL’s Super-20 League
, a league for players 17 to 20 years of age run under the United Soccer Leagues
umbrella.
, but out of the playoffs. They improved to a 9-5-4 record in 1997 and finished third in the Northeast behind North Jersey Imperials
, and qualified for the post-season for the first time. Their run through the playoffs was impressive: they took out divisional rivals Rhode Island Stingrays
2-1 in overtime in the divisional semi finals, and then beat Central Jersey Riptide
2-0 to progress to the national tournament. The Phantoms squeaked past Mid-Atlantic division side Baltimore Bays
1-0 in overtime in the quarter finals, and were just one win away from the Championship Game, but lost 2-1 in overtime to eventual champions Albuquerque Geckos in the semi finals. Ron Murphy was the Phantoms' top scorer in a very successful year, with 19 goals, the fourth best in the league.
Things were even better for the Phantoms in 1998, as they improved their regular season performance for the second straight year, finishing with a 10-6-2 records and 2nd in the Northeast behind Rhode Island Stingrays
. Their '98 playoff run was even more impressive than the previous year's: they beat Western Mass Pioneers
2-1 in overtime in the divisional semi final, and qualified for the national tournament for the second time with a dogged 3-2 win over Rhode Island in the divisional final. The Phantoms downed Central Jersey Riptide
3-0 in the quarter finals, and then overcame South Central Division champions Austin Lone Stars
2-1 in overtime in the semis. New Hampshire faced the Chicago Stingers in the Championship Game, but fell 3-2 in another overtime classic, and eventually finished the year as the second-best team in the D3 Pro League. In the post-season awards, goalkeeper Jeremy Bailey was honored as one of the top stoppers in the league, with an impressive 1.07 GAA average.
with a 13-5-0 record, and beat New Jersey Stallions
1-0 in the conference playoff semi-finals, but failed to progress to the national competition for a third straight year as they were beaten 1-0 in overtime by Western Mass in the Conference Final. Ron Murphy was again the Phantoms' top scorer, with 15 goals, while Andrew Boyea posted encouraging 1.27 GAA goalkeeping stats.
The Phantoms made the post season for a fourth time in 2000, finishing third behind the New Jersey Stallions
in the regular season table, but fell at the first hurdle in the playoffs, losing 3-2 to Reading Rage
first time out. 2001 was much of the same: second in the regular season behind the expansion Boston Bulldogs
with a 8-8-2 record, but out in the first round of the playoffs following a 4-2 loss to their divisional rivals, the New Jersey Stallions
, although Ron Murphy continued to be a potent goalscoring force for the Phantoms, with 17 goals on the season. 2002 was the first year that things did not go the Phantoms' way, as they finished the year bottom of the Northern Conference table with just four wins all season, and out of the playoffs for the first time in four years.
with a hugely encouraging 11-7-2 record, before falling to the Flames 5-3 on aggregate in the first round of the playoffs. 2003 also saw New Hampshire's first foray into the US Open Cup, but their stay in the competition was marked by controversy: they originally beat USASA
team Bridgeport Italians 3-0 in the second round; however, the team the Italians beat in the first round - PDL outfit Chesapeake Dragons
- protested the result of the first round game, due to the Italians fielding an ineligible player, and as a result the Italians were disqualified from the competition. This meant that New Hampshire had to play a *second* second round game, this time against Chesapeake. Fortunately, the Phantoms won the game 3-2 with a golden goal
from Ebbie Kodiat, and progressed to the third round - where they were unceremoniously dumped out of the competition 4-1 by A-League
side Rochester Raging Rhinos
. Bjørn Hansen was New Hampshire's top scorer, with 17 goals, the fourth best figures in the league.
2004 brought the first piece of silverware to New Hampshire when, after eight years of competition, they topped the Northern Division standings, four points clear of second placed Westchester Flames
. The Phantoms got a bye to the Pro Soccer League playoff semi finals, and were well-placed to make their second trip to the Championship game, but were unexpectedly beaten 1-0 by Southern Division winners Charlotte Eagles
, and went home early. The Phantoms also made their second trip to the US Open Cup in '04, but unexpectedly lost 5-1 to PDL team Chicago Fire Reserves in the second round. Bjørn Hansen was again New Hampshire's top scorer, with 16 goals on the season, while Kyle Singer
posted 1.223 GAA goalkeeping stats.
at home in early June that featured a brace from striker Mark Manganello briefly raised the spirits, and back-to-back wins over Long Island Rough Riders
and Charlotte Eagles
hinted that a late-season surge could be on the cards in Manchester
, but the Phantoms reverted back to their poor form quickly. A win and three ties in July effectively ended their playoff hopes, and the 5-2 defeat on the road at Long Island was the low point of the year. A final day victory over the Rough Riders made up for their pummeling earlier in the season, but it was too little too late for New Hampshire, who ended the season in 7th place, 22 points behind regular season champions Western Mass Pioneers
. Bjørn Hansen and Thomas McNeil shared the goal scoring spoils, with 6 goals each, while Ricky Charles
, Hansen and James Proctor weighed in with 3 assists apiece.
2006 was a year of mid-table obscurity for the Phantoms, finishing with a 9-10-1 record, and in 5th place in the USL Second Division standings, just missing out on the post season once more. The year started brightly for New Hampshire, with two wins and a tie in their first three games, including 3-1 victory over Long Island Rough Riders
. The Phantoms were quite excellent at home, losing just two games in front of their own fans all season. Defender Narciso Fernandes scored twice in their 3-1 win over Western Mass Pioneers
in mid-July, and Almir Barbosa
hit a hat trick against the Cincinnati Kings
in their 3-1 win in early August. The Phantoms even enjoyed a brief run to the third round of the US Open Cup, taking out Connecticut
-based USASA
side Milford International before being walloped 5-1 by USL First Division
outfit Rochester Raging Rhinos
. Unfortunately, the Phantoms' form on the road was abysmal, with eight straight road losses away from home stretching from early June through to the edge of the season. They also suffered some humiliating defeats during this stretch: Western Mass Pioneers
hit them for six in mid-July, and put another half dozen past them in a 6-2 win in August. The Harrisburg City Islanders
hit four in a bad-tempered game which saw three men sent off in injury time, and the Richmond Kickers
showed no mercy to goalkeeper T.J. Tomasso when completing an 8-0 rout on the final day of the season. Almir Barbosa
was the Phantoms' top scorer, with 10 goals, while Thomas McNeil contributed 5 assists.
The Phantoms sank to their lowest ebb in 2007, winning just three games in what turned out to be a long and difficult season. They started the season with a 7-game winless streak, being hammered 4-0 by both the Richmond Kickers
and the Cincinnati Kings
, and conceding an injury time goal to Cleveland City Stars
in their 3-2 defeat there, before eventually winning their first game of the season, 1-0 over Western Mass Pioneers
in early June. Due to stadium issues, the Phantoms were forced to play 10 of their first 14 games on the road, prior to embarking on a 6-game home stand to finish the season. The Phantoms did manage to pick up two more wins - 2-1 over Richmond Kickers
and a hard-fought 3-2 over Wilmington Hammerheads
- but were eliminated from playoff contention well before their 3-1 loss to Cincinnati on the final day of the season. They eventually finished the year 9th of 10 in the standings, just one point ahead of rock-bottom Bermuda Hogges
, to whom they lost twice. Almir Barbosa
was New Hampshire's top scorer for the second year in a row, with 6 goals, while Thomas McNeil contributed 2 assists.
In an attempt to consolidate their finances and restructure their organization, the Phantoms took voluntary relegation from the USL Second Division
to the Premier Development League at the end of 2007.
, and then two straight wins on the road, 2-1 over the Cape Cod Crusaders
and 3-2 over the Rhode Island Stingrays
. Unfortunately for the Phantoms, things started to slide shortly thereafter: they won just one more game the entire season, 3-1 over Northern Virginia Royals
in early June, and were rocky just about everywhere else they played, especially at home. Their game in Ottawa was terminated in the 48th minute due to lightning with them losing 1-0, and were outplayed, if not outclassed, in almost every game thereafter, with most losses being of the 1-0 or 2-0 variety. The nadir for the season came in the penultimate game, when they were annihilated 7-0 by an on-fire Ottawa Fury
, and they eventually finished their first year in the amateur ranks 4th in the New England, well out of the playoffs. Adrian Schippers was the top goal scorer, with 5 goals.
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.
Chris Banks
Almir Barbosa
Henry Brauner
Romelle Burgess
Preston Burpo
Ricky Charles
Jim Cherneski
Brandon Curran
Adrian Dubois
Miguel Gonzalez
Neil Krause
Jeff Larentowicz
Brian Levey
Chris Loftus
Gabriel Mercier
Tim Murray
Dushawne Simpson
Kyle Singer
Val Teixeira
T. J. Tomasso
Phil Tuttle
Luke Vercollone
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth is a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire in the United States. It is the largest city but only the fourth-largest community in the county, with a population of 21,233 at the 2010 census...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.
The team plays its home games in the stadium on the campus of Portsmouth High School
Portsmouth High School (New Hampshire)
Portsmouth High School is a public high school located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with a current enrollment of approximately 1,100. Accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the State of New Hampshire, the school serves the communities of Portsmouth, Rye,...
, where they have played since 2011. The team's colors are blue, white, gold and black.
The team also fields a team in the USL’s Super-20 League
Super-20 League
The United Soccer Leagues Super-20 League is an American-Canadian soccer league for players 17 to 20 years of age. Introduced in 2006 it took the place of the U-19 age bracket in the Super Y-League....
, a league for players 17 to 20 years of age run under the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
umbrella.
USISL Pro League/USISL D-3 Pro League
New Hampshire Phantoms joined the ranks of American pro soccer in 1996 as an expansion franchise in the third-tier USISL Pro League. They finished their first season in competition with a decent 8-7-1 record, in 6th place in the Northeast Conference behind Central Jersey RiptideCentral Jersey Riptide
Central Jersey Riptide were an American soccer team that played in Clark, New Jersey.They joined the USISL Pro League in 1996, but were relegated to the USL PDL in 1999. They became a provisional team the next season and then folded after the end of the season.-Year-by-year:...
, but out of the playoffs. They improved to a 9-5-4 record in 1997 and finished third in the Northeast behind North Jersey Imperials
North Jersey Imperials
The North Jersey Imperials were a soccer club based in Paramus, New Jersey. They played in the United Soccer Leagues between 1994 and 2001. The Imperials were the first pro team of US national team goalkeeper Tim Howard....
, and qualified for the post-season for the first time. Their run through the playoffs was impressive: they took out divisional rivals Rhode Island Stingrays
Rhode Island Stingrays
Rhode Island Stingrays was an American soccer team based in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The...
2-1 in overtime in the divisional semi finals, and then beat Central Jersey Riptide
Central Jersey Riptide
Central Jersey Riptide were an American soccer team that played in Clark, New Jersey.They joined the USISL Pro League in 1996, but were relegated to the USL PDL in 1999. They became a provisional team the next season and then folded after the end of the season.-Year-by-year:...
2-0 to progress to the national tournament. The Phantoms squeaked past Mid-Atlantic division side Baltimore Bays
Baltimore Bays (USISL)
-USISL:The third Baltimore Bays were a soccer team based out of Baltimore, Maryland that played in the USISL. They became the Eastern Shore Sharks in 1998 when they moved to Salisbury, Maryland.-Year-by-year:...
1-0 in overtime in the quarter finals, and were just one win away from the Championship Game, but lost 2-1 in overtime to eventual champions Albuquerque Geckos in the semi finals. Ron Murphy was the Phantoms' top scorer in a very successful year, with 19 goals, the fourth best in the league.
Things were even better for the Phantoms in 1998, as they improved their regular season performance for the second straight year, finishing with a 10-6-2 records and 2nd in the Northeast behind Rhode Island Stingrays
Rhode Island Stingrays
Rhode Island Stingrays was an American soccer team based in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The...
. Their '98 playoff run was even more impressive than the previous year's: they beat Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers is an American soccer team based in Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
2-1 in overtime in the divisional semi final, and qualified for the national tournament for the second time with a dogged 3-2 win over Rhode Island in the divisional final. The Phantoms downed Central Jersey Riptide
Central Jersey Riptide
Central Jersey Riptide were an American soccer team that played in Clark, New Jersey.They joined the USISL Pro League in 1996, but were relegated to the USL PDL in 1999. They became a provisional team the next season and then folded after the end of the season.-Year-by-year:...
3-0 in the quarter finals, and then overcame South Central Division champions Austin Lone Stars
Austin Lone Stars
The Austin Lone Stars were a soccer club that competed in the SISL, USISL and United Soccer Leagues from 1987 to 2000. The club originally started in 1987/88 as the Austin Sockadillos in the original indoor SISL league. They became the Austin Lone Stars in 1994.-History:In 1987, Fernando Marcos...
2-1 in overtime in the semis. New Hampshire faced the Chicago Stingers in the Championship Game, but fell 3-2 in another overtime classic, and eventually finished the year as the second-best team in the D3 Pro League. In the post-season awards, goalkeeper Jeremy Bailey was honored as one of the top stoppers in the league, with an impressive 1.07 GAA average.
USL D-3 Pro League
1999 cemented New Hampshire's position as perennial contenders: they finished third in the re-structured Northern Division behind Western Mass PioneersWestern Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers is an American soccer team based in Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
with a 13-5-0 record, and beat New Jersey Stallions
New Jersey Stallions
The New Jersey Stallions were an American soccer team, founded in 1996, which competed in various divisions of the United Soccer Leagues until 2004, after which the team left the league and the franchise was terminated....
1-0 in the conference playoff semi-finals, but failed to progress to the national competition for a third straight year as they were beaten 1-0 in overtime by Western Mass in the Conference Final. Ron Murphy was again the Phantoms' top scorer, with 15 goals, while Andrew Boyea posted encouraging 1.27 GAA goalkeeping stats.
The Phantoms made the post season for a fourth time in 2000, finishing third behind the New Jersey Stallions
New Jersey Stallions
The New Jersey Stallions were an American soccer team, founded in 1996, which competed in various divisions of the United Soccer Leagues until 2004, after which the team left the league and the franchise was terminated....
in the regular season table, but fell at the first hurdle in the playoffs, losing 3-2 to Reading Rage
Reading Rage
Reading United A.C. is an American soccer team based in Reading, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference....
first time out. 2001 was much of the same: second in the regular season behind the expansion Boston Bulldogs
Boston Bulldogs (soccer)
The Boston Bulldogs were a soccer club originally founded in 1996 as the Worcester Wildfire. The team debuted in the USISL and would play in the A-League from 1997 to 2000...
with a 8-8-2 record, but out in the first round of the playoffs following a 4-2 loss to their divisional rivals, the New Jersey Stallions
New Jersey Stallions
The New Jersey Stallions were an American soccer team, founded in 1996, which competed in various divisions of the United Soccer Leagues until 2004, after which the team left the league and the franchise was terminated....
, although Ron Murphy continued to be a potent goalscoring force for the Phantoms, with 17 goals on the season. 2002 was the first year that things did not go the Phantoms' way, as they finished the year bottom of the Northern Conference table with just four wins all season, and out of the playoffs for the first time in four years.
USL Pro Select League
The D3 Pro League became the Pro Select League in 2003, and the Phantoms bounced back superbly in regular season play, finishing second in the Northern Region behind Westchester FlamesWestchester Flames
Westchester Flames is an American soccer team based in New Rochelle, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
with a hugely encouraging 11-7-2 record, before falling to the Flames 5-3 on aggregate in the first round of the playoffs. 2003 also saw New Hampshire's first foray into the US Open Cup, but their stay in the competition was marked by controversy: they originally beat USASA
USASA
The United States Adult Soccer Association is a national organization and sanctioning body for amateur soccer in the United States...
team Bridgeport Italians 3-0 in the second round; however, the team the Italians beat in the first round - PDL outfit Chesapeake Dragons
Chesapeake Dragons
Chesapeake Dragons were an American soccer team, founded in 2001. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2004, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Dragons played their home...
- protested the result of the first round game, due to the Italians fielding an ineligible player, and as a result the Italians were disqualified from the competition. This meant that New Hampshire had to play a *second* second round game, this time against Chesapeake. Fortunately, the Phantoms won the game 3-2 with a golden goal
Golden goal
The golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
from Ebbie Kodiat, and progressed to the third round - where they were unceremoniously dumped out of the competition 4-1 by A-League
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
side Rochester Raging Rhinos
Rochester Raging Rhinos
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...
. Bjørn Hansen was New Hampshire's top scorer, with 17 goals, the fourth best figures in the league.
2004 brought the first piece of silverware to New Hampshire when, after eight years of competition, they topped the Northern Division standings, four points clear of second placed Westchester Flames
Westchester Flames
Westchester Flames is an American soccer team based in New Rochelle, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
. The Phantoms got a bye to the Pro Soccer League playoff semi finals, and were well-placed to make their second trip to the Championship game, but were unexpectedly beaten 1-0 by Southern Division winners Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
, and went home early. The Phantoms also made their second trip to the US Open Cup in '04, but unexpectedly lost 5-1 to PDL team Chicago Fire Reserves in the second round. Bjørn Hansen was again New Hampshire's top scorer, with 16 goals on the season, while Kyle Singer
Kyle Singer
Kyle Singer is an American soccer player who last played goalkeeper for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer....
posted 1.223 GAA goalkeeping stats.
USL Second Division
The USL Pro Select League was renamed the USL Second Division in 2005, and converted to a single-table format, but the Phantoms never got to grips with the new setup, and struggled on the field. The Phantoms lost five of their six opening games, conceding three goals in four of the games, and were grasping for any kind of run in form almost from the beginning of the season. A 6-0 hammering of the Northern Virginia RoyalsNorthern Virginia Royals
Northern Virginia Royals is an American soccer team based in Woodbridge, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
at home in early June that featured a brace from striker Mark Manganello briefly raised the spirits, and back-to-back wins over Long Island Rough Riders
Long Island Rough Riders
Long Island Rough Riders is an American soccer team based in South Huntington, New York, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its...
and Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
hinted that a late-season surge could be on the cards in Manchester
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
, but the Phantoms reverted back to their poor form quickly. A win and three ties in July effectively ended their playoff hopes, and the 5-2 defeat on the road at Long Island was the low point of the year. A final day victory over the Rough Riders made up for their pummeling earlier in the season, but it was too little too late for New Hampshire, who ended the season in 7th place, 22 points behind regular season champions Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers is an American soccer team based in Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
. Bjørn Hansen and Thomas McNeil shared the goal scoring spoils, with 6 goals each, while Ricky Charles
Ricky Charles
Ricky Charles is a footballer from Grenada playing currently for St. Ann's Rangers in the TT Pro League. He is also a member of Grenada national football team.-Club career:...
, Hansen and James Proctor weighed in with 3 assists apiece.
2006 was a year of mid-table obscurity for the Phantoms, finishing with a 9-10-1 record, and in 5th place in the USL Second Division standings, just missing out on the post season once more. The year started brightly for New Hampshire, with two wins and a tie in their first three games, including 3-1 victory over Long Island Rough Riders
Long Island Rough Riders
Long Island Rough Riders is an American soccer team based in South Huntington, New York, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its...
. The Phantoms were quite excellent at home, losing just two games in front of their own fans all season. Defender Narciso Fernandes scored twice in their 3-1 win over Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers is an American soccer team based in Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
in mid-July, and Almir Barbosa
Almir Barbosa
Almir Barbosa is a Cape Verdean footballer. He currently plays for New Hampshire Phantoms in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
hit a hat trick against the Cincinnati Kings
Cincinnati Kings
Cincinnati Kings is an American soccer team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
in their 3-1 win in early August. The Phantoms even enjoyed a brief run to the third round of the US Open Cup, taking out Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
-based USASA
USASA
The United States Adult Soccer Association is a national organization and sanctioning body for amateur soccer in the United States...
side Milford International before being walloped 5-1 by USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
outfit Rochester Raging Rhinos
Rochester Raging Rhinos
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...
. Unfortunately, the Phantoms' form on the road was abysmal, with eight straight road losses away from home stretching from early June through to the edge of the season. They also suffered some humiliating defeats during this stretch: Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers is an American soccer team based in Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
hit them for six in mid-July, and put another half dozen past them in a 6-2 win in August. The Harrisburg City Islanders
Harrisburg City Islanders
Harrisburg City Islanders is an American professional soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
hit four in a bad-tempered game which saw three men sent off in injury time, and the Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
showed no mercy to goalkeeper T.J. Tomasso when completing an 8-0 rout on the final day of the season. Almir Barbosa
Almir Barbosa
Almir Barbosa is a Cape Verdean footballer. He currently plays for New Hampshire Phantoms in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
was the Phantoms' top scorer, with 10 goals, while Thomas McNeil contributed 5 assists.
The Phantoms sank to their lowest ebb in 2007, winning just three games in what turned out to be a long and difficult season. They started the season with a 7-game winless streak, being hammered 4-0 by both the Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
and the Cincinnati Kings
Cincinnati Kings
Cincinnati Kings is an American soccer team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
, and conceding an injury time goal to Cleveland City Stars
Cleveland City Stars
Cleveland City Stars was an American professional soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until 2009...
in their 3-2 defeat there, before eventually winning their first game of the season, 1-0 over Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers is an American soccer team based in Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
in early June. Due to stadium issues, the Phantoms were forced to play 10 of their first 14 games on the road, prior to embarking on a 6-game home stand to finish the season. The Phantoms did manage to pick up two more wins - 2-1 over Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
and a hard-fought 3-2 over Wilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads is an American professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
- but were eliminated from playoff contention well before their 3-1 loss to Cincinnati on the final day of the season. They eventually finished the year 9th of 10 in the standings, just one point ahead of rock-bottom Bermuda Hogges
Bermuda Hogges
Bermuda Hogges is a Bermudian soccer team based in Hamilton, Bermuda. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference....
, to whom they lost twice. Almir Barbosa
Almir Barbosa
Almir Barbosa is a Cape Verdean footballer. He currently plays for New Hampshire Phantoms in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
was New Hampshire's top scorer for the second year in a row, with 6 goals, while Thomas McNeil contributed 2 assists.
In an attempt to consolidate their finances and restructure their organization, the Phantoms took voluntary relegation from the USL Second Division
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
to the Premier Development League at the end of 2007.
USL Premier Development League
Unfortunately, the transition from professionalism to amateurism was not a smooth one for the Phantoms, as they again struggled with their on-field performances. Things actually started quite positively for the team, with an opening-day tie over their old rivals, Long Island Rough RidersLong Island Rough Riders
Long Island Rough Riders is an American soccer team based in South Huntington, New York, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its...
, and then two straight wins on the road, 2-1 over the Cape Cod Crusaders
Cape Cod Crusaders
Cape Cod Crusaders were an American soccer team based in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1994, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
and 3-2 over the Rhode Island Stingrays
Rhode Island Stingrays
Rhode Island Stingrays was an American soccer team based in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The...
. Unfortunately for the Phantoms, things started to slide shortly thereafter: they won just one more game the entire season, 3-1 over Northern Virginia Royals
Northern Virginia Royals
Northern Virginia Royals is an American soccer team based in Woodbridge, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
in early June, and were rocky just about everywhere else they played, especially at home. Their game in Ottawa was terminated in the 48th minute due to lightning with them losing 1-0, and were outplayed, if not outclassed, in almost every game thereafter, with most losses being of the 1-0 or 2-0 variety. The nadir for the season came in the penultimate game, when they were annihilated 7-0 by an on-fire Ottawa Fury
Ottawa Fury
Ottawa Fury is a Canadian soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference....
, and they eventually finished their first year in the amateur ranks 4th in the New England, well out of the playoffs. Adrian Schippers was the top goal scorer, with 5 goals.
Current roster
As of June 4, 2011.Notable former players
- See also: All-time New Hampshire Phantoms rosterAll-time New Hampshire Phantoms rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for New Hampshire Phantoms in the USL since the league began keeping detailed records in 2003...
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.
Chris Banks
Chris Banks (soccer)
Chris Banks is an American soccer player currently playing for Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
Almir Barbosa
Almir Barbosa
Almir Barbosa is a Cape Verdean footballer. He currently plays for New Hampshire Phantoms in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
Henry Brauner
Henry Brauner
Henry George Valencia Brauner is an American–Filipino soccer player who plays as a central midfielder. He is unattached and has also represented the Philippines at international level.- College and Amateur :...
Romelle Burgess
Romelle Burgess
Romelle Burgess is a Barbadian international footballer who last played for the New Hampshire Phantoms of the USL Premier Development League.-College:...
Preston Burpo
Preston Burpo
Preston Burpo is a retired American soccer player who is now goalkeeper coach for Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer.-College:...
Ricky Charles
Ricky Charles
Ricky Charles is a footballer from Grenada playing currently for St. Ann's Rangers in the TT Pro League. He is also a member of Grenada national football team.-Club career:...
Jim Cherneski
Jim Cherneski
Jim Cherneski is an American soccer player, currently player-manager for Crystal Palace Baltimore in the USSF Division 2 Professional League...
Brandon Curran
Brandon Curran
Brandon Curran is an American soccer defender, who currently plays for the Charleston Battery of the USL First Division....
Adrian Dubois
Adrian Dubois
Adrian Dubois is an American soccer player who currently plays for New Hampshire Phantoms in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
Miguel Gonzalez
Miguel Gonzalez
Miguel Gonzalez is an American soccer player. He currently plays for Bradenton Academics in the USL Premier Development League.-Youth and Amateur:...
Neil Krause
Neil Krause
Neil Krause is an American soccer player who currently plays for Western Mass Pioneers in the USL Second Division.-College and Amateur:...
Jeff Larentowicz
Jeff Larentowicz
Jeffery Adam Larentowicz is an American soccer player who currently plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-College:...
Brian Levey
Brian Levey
Brian Levey is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Real Maryland Monarchs in the USL Second Division. Levey is listed as 6'6". He actually stands 6'5" barefoot and wears a size 17/37-38 shirt....
Chris Loftus
Chris Loftus
Christopher Loftus , is an American former soccer player.- College level :Loftus played four years of college soccer for Duke, scoring 24 goals in 80 appearances, and in the USL Premier Development League for Raleigh Elite.- Draft :...
Gabriel Mercier
Gabriel Mercier
Gabriel Mercier is an American soccer player who currently plays for New Hampshire Phantoms in the USL Premier Development League.-College:...
Tim Murray
Tim Murray (soccer)
Tom Murray is an American soccer player currently playing for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College:...
Dushawne Simpson
Dushawne Simpson
Dushawne Simpson is an American soccer coach, currently coaching with the Boston Aztec. Simpson coaches the Aztec U14 and U17 girls teams and also serves as the Aztec youth club's Technical Director of the Girls Program....
Kyle Singer
Kyle Singer
Kyle Singer is an American soccer player who last played goalkeeper for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer....
Val Teixeira
Val Teixeira
Valdemar "Val" Teixeira is a Portuguese footballer currently playing for Real Maryland F.C. in the USL Premier Development League.-Youth and College:Teixeira began his career playing for Amora FC in Portugal at the age of 6...
T. J. Tomasso
T. J. Tomasso
Thomas J. Tomasso is an American soccer player, who was a goalkeeper for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer....
Phil Tuttle
Phil Tuttle
Phil Turtle is an American soccer player currently playing for Harrisburg City Islanders in USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
Luke Vercollone
Luke Vercollone
Luke Vercollone is an American soccer player who currently plays for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and College:...
Year-by-year
Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | 3 | USISL Pro League | 6th, Northeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
1997 | 3 | USISL D-3 Pro League | 3rd, Northeast | Semifinals | Did not qualify |
1998 | 3 | USISL D-3 Pro League | 2nd, Northeast | Final | Did not qualify |
1999 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 3rd, Northern | Conference Finals | Did not qualify |
2000 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 3rd, Northern | Conference Quarterfinals | Did not qualify |
2001 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 2nd, Northern | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
2002 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 4th, Northern | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2003 | 3 | USL Pro Select League | 2nd, Northern | Regional Finals | 3rd Round |
2004 | 3 | USL Pro Soccer League | 1st, Northern | Semifinals | 2nd Round |
2005 | 3 | USL Second Division | 8th | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2006 | 3 | USL Second Division | 5th | Did not qualify | 3rd Round |
2007 | 3 | USL Second Division | 9th | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2008 | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, New England | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2009 | 4 | USL PDL | 8th, Northeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2010 | 4 | USL PDL | 7th, Northeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2011 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Northeast | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
Stadia
- Singer Family Park; Manchester, New HampshireManchester, New HampshireManchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
(2003) - Stadium at Souhegan High SchoolSouhegan High SchoolSouhegan High School is a Coalition of Essential Schools high school located in Amherst, New Hampshire. Students from Amherst and Mont Vernon attend Souhegan for 9th through 12th grades. There are about 872 students and over 160 faculty members...
; Amherst, New HampshireAmherst, New HampshireAmherst is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 11,201 at the 2010 census. Amherst is home to Ponemah Bog Wildlife Sanctuary, Hodgman State Forest, the Joe English Reservation and Baboosic Lake....
, 3 games (2003, 2005–2006) - Owl Stadium; Keene, New HampshireKeene, New HampshireKeene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,409 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cheshire County.Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England, and hosts the annual Pumpkin Fest...
, 3 games (2003, 2006) - Stadium at Manchester West High School; Manchester, New HampshireManchester, New HampshireManchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
(2004) - Stadium at Southern New Hampshire UniversitySouthern New Hampshire UniversitySouthern New Hampshire University, also known as SNHU, is a private university in Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire. The university is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and also has numerous specialized...
; Manchester, New HampshireManchester, New HampshireManchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
(2005, 2009–2010) - Veterans Memorial StadiumVeterans Memorial Stadium (Lawrence)Veterans Memorial Stadium is a 9,000 seat stadium in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The stadium is located adjacent to the new Lawrence High School. It has been recently renovated and has a turf along with a new track, and new seating. The venue opened in 1927 and was renovated in 2006...
; Lawrence, MassachusettsLawrence, MassachusettsLawrence is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States on the Merrimack River. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 76,377. Surrounding communities include Methuen to the north, Andover to the southwest, and North Andover to the southeast. It and Salem are...
(2006) - Clement Lemire Stadium; Manchester, New HampshireManchester, New HampshireManchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
(2007–2008) - Stadium at Portsmouth High SchoolPortsmouth High School (New Hampshire)Portsmouth High School is a public high school located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with a current enrollment of approximately 1,100. Accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the State of New Hampshire, the school serves the communities of Portsmouth, Rye,...
; Portsmouth, New HampshirePortsmouth, New HampshirePortsmouth is a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire in the United States. It is the largest city but only the fourth-largest community in the county, with a population of 21,233 at the 2010 census...
(2011-present)
Average attendance
Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html.- 2008: 2,901
- 2009: 434
- 2010: 106