Kitsap SC Pumas was an American soccer team based in Bremerton, Washington, United States. The team played in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. From its foundation in 2009 to 2016, the club played in the Premier Development League (PDL), as a professional club. As part of the agreement upon leaving PDL after the 2016 season, the club was unable to use the "Kitsap Pumas" name during the 2017 season while playing in NPSL. The club was officially renamed Kitsap SC until September 1, 2017 when the Pumas name was restored. The club announced on July 20, 2018 that it would cease operations due to declining attendance.
Kitsap won several titles including the 2011 USL PDL national championship. They defeated the Laredo Heat 1–0 in the 2011 PDL Championship game on August 6, 2011 held on their home field in Bremerton.
The team played its home games initially at the Bremerton High School Memorial Stadium, later at Gordon Field at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. The team's colors were blue, white and gold.
Kitsap had fielded an indoor team which played in the Northwest Division of the Premier Arena Soccer League for 4 seasons from the 2010–11 season until the 2013–14 season.
Contents
History
The long-term goal of the organization was to build the club up into a USL Pro side. Club owner Robin Waite was a minority owner in the USL 1 Seattle Sounders prior to its move to Major League Soccer and acquired their USL rights. A USL PDL franchise was announced on December 17, 2008.
The Pumas were one of four expansion teams in the NW Division of 2009 PDL season along with the Victoria Highlanders, Portland Timbers U23s, and Seattle Wolves. The Pumas played their first official game on May 2, 2009, a 5–0 victory over the Spokane Spiders, with the first goal in franchise history being scored by Tony Kerr. The Pumas qualified for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in their first year beating the Cascade Surge 3–0 at home on the final day of qualifying, outlasting the Portland Timbers U23's by 1 point. Their stay in the tournament was a short one as they lost to the USL Division I Portland Timbers 3–0 in front of a record crowd of 2,128.
Kitsap rebounded with victories in its next five games to take a commanding lead in the Northwest Division. The Pumas became the first team in the PDL to clinch a playoff spot, doing so on July 5. They missed a chance to take the division when they gave up a goal in stoppage time against the Timbers U23 on July 4, but defeated the Abbotsford Mariners 1–0 on July 11 as Stephen Phillips scored off an Alex Megson assist to earn the team's first ever Northwest Division title and a first round playoff bye.
Kitsap went on to beat the Seattle Wolves in their first ever play-off match 2–0 in front of a new club record attendance of 2,328, before losing to the Ventura County Fusion 2–1 in the PDL quarterfinals in Laredo, Texas.
On August 11, it was announced that head coach John Wedge would not return for the 2010 PDL season. It was later revealed by Wedge that the loss to the Fusion cost him his job. On November 9, 2009, the club announced the hiring of Seattle University coach Pete Fewing as its new head coach.
Kitsap got off to another strong start for the 2010 season as they won their first five games to qualify for the U.S. Open Cup for the second straight season. They defeated the NPSL Bay Area Ambassadors 4–2 for their first ever win in the tournament. They lost to the Portland Timbers in the second round, the second time in as many years they were eliminated by the then USL-1 club. The Pumas also had problems with the Portland Timbers U23's as well, losing 3–0 and 1–0 in regular season contests. Despite not repeating as division champs, Kitsap clinched the second and final playoff spot by defeating Vancouver 6–2 on July 20.
NPSL
In November 2016, the club announced that it would move to the National Premier Soccer League and rename itself "Kitsap Soccer Club" beginning in fall 2017.
Dissolution
Kitsap SC announced on July 20, 2018 that it would cease operations due to declining attendance.
Players
Notable former players
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.
Leon Abravanel
Jason Cascio
John Fishbaugher
Cameron Hepple
Tony Kerr
Austin Rogers
Bryan Meredith
Jamel Wallace
Bryan Burke
Daniel Scott
Derby Carrillo
Brandon Scott
Robin Casillas
Joel Waterman
Record
Honors
USL PDL Championships
Winners: 2011
Runners-up: 2014
USL PDL Western Conference
Winners (2): 2011, 2014
Runners-up: 2009, 2010
USL PDL Northwest Division
Winners (4): 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015
NPSL Northwest Conference
Winners (1): 2017
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
USL PDL Northwest Division Qualifier (6): 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016
NPSL Northwest Conference Qualifier (1): 2018
Minor Cups
Narrows Bridge Bell Champions (3): 2009, 2010, 2011
Ruffneck Cup champions (4): 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Head coaches
John Wedge (2009)
Pete Fewing (2010–2011)
James Ritchie (2012–2013)
Andrew Chapman (2014)
Cammy MacDonald (2015–2016)
Roy Lassiter (2017)
Liviu Bird (2018)
Stadia
Bremerton Memorial Stadium at Bremerton High School; Bremerton, Washington (2009–2012)
Gordon Field Park, Kitsap County Fairgrounds (2013–2018)
Crest
The official Kitsap Soccer Club crest was designed by Joel DuChesne, who won a competition held by the club to design a logo for the team prior to the 2009 season. Pumas owner Robin Waite said "We were floored when Joel's entry came it. It struck so completely at the heart of what the Kitsap Soccer Club is all about – traditional, authentic, yet modern, clean and looking to the future. He absolutely nailed it." As his prize, DuChesne was presented with tickets to the club's opening match against Tacoma Tide on May 15, 2009, and a pair of 2009 full-season tickets.