2011–12 Tacoma Stars season

The 2011–12 Tacoma Stars season was the second season of the Tacoma Stars professional indoor soccer club as a franchise in the Professional Arena Soccer League. Head coach Leighton O'Brien led the team to a 3–13 regular season record, leaving them 5th in the Western Division and out of the post-season.

Tacoma Stars
2011–12 PASL season
OwnerMarian Bowers
Head CoachLeighton O'Brien[1]
ArenaStarfire Sports Complex
Tukwila, Washington
Professional Arena Soccer League5th in Western Division
Top goalscorerIan Weinberg
(19 goals, 6 assists)
Highest home attendance147
(December 11, 2011)
vs Turlock Express
Lowest home attendance504
(February 11, 2012)
vs Anaheim Bolts
Average home league attendance242 (8 regular season home games)

The Stars participated in the 2011–12 U.S. Open Cup for Arena Soccer. They were granted a bye through the Round of 16 then fell to the San Diego Sockers 13–6 in the Quarterfinals.

History

The Stars played this season's home games at Starfire Sports Complex in the Seattle suburb of Tukwila, Washington.[2][3] General admission tickets were free but seating in this facility was limited.[4][5] This was the team's only season in Tukwila after leaving their longtime home at the Tacoma Soccer Center and waiting for the purpose-built Pacific Sports Center to be completed.[6]

This team was named after the Tacoma Stars that played in the Tacoma Dome from 1983-1992 as a member of the original Major Indoor Soccer League.[7][8][9][10] An earlier version of this current franchise was incorporated in 2003 as a member of the Premier Arena Soccer League before moving up to the pro league in 2010.[8]

Off-field moves

Early versions of the Stars' schedule for this season showed matches against the California Cougars and the Phoenix Monsoon. The Cougars folded shortly before the season began and were replaced by a new franchise, the Turlock Express.[2] The Monsoon franchise was revoked by the league in late December 2011 and replaced in January 2012 by another new franchise, the Arizona Storm, who inherited their roster and record.[11]

Roster moves

The Stars held open tryouts on September 29, 2011, at the Starfire Sports Complex.[2] A second open tryout was held on October 6, 2011.[9] In early October 2011, the Stars announced a preliminary roster for the season based on these tryouts that included several players from the 2010–11 team as well as veterans of the Kitsap Pumas, Seattle Sounders, and various area Premier Arena Soccer League teams.[12]

Later in October 2011, the team announced the signing of players Leighton O'Brien and Kevin Sakuda, both veterans of the Seattle Sounders and several indoor soccer teams. O'Brien would also serve as the team's head coach this season.[1]

In late October, the team announced the signings of Seattle Sounders veteran Viet Nguyen and English player Adam Nowland.[13] On November 1, 2011, the Stars announced the re-signing of re-signings of defenders Steve Mohn, Vitalie Bulala, and Jeff Bader plus midfielder Mark Lee.[14] On November 3, the team announced the re-signing of re-signings of defender Kris Bowers plus midfielders Ian Weinberg and Micah Wenzel.[15] The same day, the team signed defender Kellen Wantulok, forward Eli Gordley, and midfielder Kyle Johnson, all formerly of the Kitsap Pumas.[16]

Awards and honors

Citing his 5 goals and 4 assists in leading the Stars through back-to-back victories over the team from Arizona the previous weekend, the Professional Arena Soccer League named Adam Nowland as its Player of the Week on December 7, 2011.[17][18]

Schedule

  Win   Tie   Loss

Exhibition
Game Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location[19] Attendance
Final Score Team Record
1 Saturday November 19 7:00pm at WSA Rapids[20] W 9–5 1–0 Bellingham Sportsplex

Regular season
Game Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location[19] Attendance
Final Score Team Record
1 Friday November 4 7:35pm at Turlock Express L 5–8[21] 0–1 Turlock Soccer Complex 308[22]
2 Saturday November 5 7:35pm at Turlock Express L 3–7[23] 0–2 Turlock Soccer Complex 280[24]
3 Saturday December 3 7:00pm Phoenix Monsoon W 9–5[17] 1–2 Starfire Sports Complex[25] 270[26]
4 Sunday December 4 3:00pm Phoenix Monsoon W 13–5[17][27] 2–2 Starfire Sports Complex[4] 200[28]
5 Saturday December 10 8:00pm Turlock Express W 10–6[29] 3–2 Starfire Sports Complex 204[30]
6 Sunday December 11 3:00pm Turlock Express L 6–10[29] 3–3 Starfire Sports Complex 147[31]
7 Friday December 16 7:05pm at Revolución Tijuana L 10–13[32] 3–4 Furati Arena 150[33]
8 Saturday December 17 7:05pm at San Diego Sockers L 3–8[32][34] 3–5 Chevrolet Del Mar Arena 2,470[35]
9 Saturday January 14 7:00pm San Diego Sockers† L 6–13[36] 3–6 Starfire Sports Complex 211[37]
10 Sunday January 15 3:00pm San Diego Sockers L 6–10 3–7 Starfire Sports Complex 159[38]
11 Saturday February 11 7:00pm Anaheim Bolts L 10–12 3–8 Starfire Sports Complex 504[39]
12 Sunday February 12 3:00pm Anaheim Bolts L 11–12 3–9 Starfire Sports Complex 243[40]
13 Friday February 24 7:05pm at Revolución Tijuana L 6–13 3–10 Furati Arena 200[41]
14 Saturday February 25 7:05pm at San Diego Sockers L 4–9 3–11 Chevrolet Del Mar Arena 2,123[42]
15 Sunday February 26 § 1:00pm at Anaheim Bolts L 6–9 3–12 Anaheim Convention Center[5] 249[43]
16 Sunday February 26 6:00pm at Anaheim Bolts L 9–10 3–13 Anaheim Convention Center 367[44]

† Game also counted for US Open Cup, as listed in chart below. § Game rescheduled from Sunday, December 18, 2011, due to "arena equipment issues".[32]

2011–12 US Open Cup for Arena Soccer
Game Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location Attendance
Final Score Record
Round of 16 BYE
Quarter-final January 14 7:00pm San Diego Sockers L 6–13[36] 0–1 Starfire Sports Complex 211[37]

References
  1. "Tacoma Stars sign two former Sounders, announce new head coach". GoalWA.net. October 20, 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  2. "Arena soccer news: Howes returns to Milwaukee; Tacoma Stars will play Pro at Starfire". GoalWA.net. September 28, 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  3. Ruiz, Don (December 1, 2011). "Tacoma Stars open home PASL season this weekend". The News Tribune. Tacoma, WA. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  4. Falk, David (November 29, 2011). "PASL indoor soccer teams open this week". GoalWA.net. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  5. Falk, David (February 7, 2012). "The Wash: Indoor soccer still waiting for Puget Sound rebound". GoalWA.net. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  6. "Sportswatch: New Indoor Sports Facility to be Built". Tacoma Weekly. Tacoma, WA: Pierce County Community Newspaper Group. November 18, 2011. Archived from the original on November 24, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  7. "Tacoma Stars Fold; Only Six Teams Left In MSL". The Seattle Times. Seattle, WA: The Seattle Times Company. Associated Press. June 6, 1992. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  8. Ruiz, Don (November 12, 2010). "Indoor Tacoma Stars open Saturday". The News Tribune. Tacoma, WA. Archived from the original on November 14, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  9. Falk, David (October 2, 2011). "Tacoma Stars getting ready for challenges of new season". GoalWA.net. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  10. Kamb, Lewis (September 13, 2011). "Council to discuss revamping Tacoma Dome to potentially draw NBA, NHL teams". The News Tribune. Tacoma, WA. Archived from the original on February 2, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  11. Tomasch, Kenn (January 15, 2012). "Our Situation Has Not Improved". KENN.com. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  12. "Tacoma Stars announce callbacks; PASL posts preliminary schedule". GoalWA.net. October 16, 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  13. "Tacoma Stars sign USL Sounder Nguyen and former Blackpooler Nowland". GoalWA.net. October 26, 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  14. "Tacoma Stars re-sign four, move closer to PASL opener Friday". GoalWA.net. November 1, 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  15. "Tacoma Stars re-sign Weinberg, Bowers, Wenzel". GoalWA.net. November 3, 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  16. "Tacoma Stars sign three former Kitsap Pumas". GoalWA.net. November 3, 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  17. "Tacoma Stars Sweep Phoenix in PASL Home Opener Weekend Matches". Our Sports Central. December 5, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  18. "Tacoma Stars' Adam Nowland named PASL Player of the Week". GoalWA.net. December 7, 2011. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  19. "Tacoma Stars Schedule". Pointstreak. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  20. "Rapids see Stars following 9-5 loss in exhibition match". Bellingham, WA: Whatcom Soccer Academy Rapids. November 19, 2011. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  21. Falk, David (November 5, 2011). "Tacoma Stars drop season opener 8:5". GoalWA.net. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  22. "Box Score: Nov 04, 2011". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 4, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  23. Falk, David (November 6, 2011). "Penalty-prone Stars drop second straight in California". GoalWA.net. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  24. "Box Score: Nov 05, 2011". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 5, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  25. Tsoi, Wilson (December 4, 2011). "Picture Perfect: Wilson Tsoi captures Tacoma Stars home opener". GoalWA.net. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  26. "Box Score: Dec 03, 2011". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 3, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  27. "Tacoma Stars sweep Phoenix as Dayo Oyetuga, Adam Nowland shine". GoalWA.net. December 4, 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  28. "Box Score: Dec 04, 2011". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 4, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  29. "PASL Scoreboard: Stars split weekend matches, Pumas and Rapids win again". GoalWA.net. December 11, 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  30. "Box Score: Dec 10, 2011". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 10, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  31. "Box Score: Dec 11, 2011". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 11, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  32. "Tacoma Stars postponed Sunday after two road losses". GoalWA.net. December 18, 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  33. "Box Score: Dec 16, 2011". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 16, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  34. McLellan, Dan (December 19, 2011). "Sockers Win on Military Appreciation Night". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  35. "Box Score: Dec 17, 2011". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 17, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  36. "PASL Scoreboard: Sockers stomp Stars, Shock win Tumwater opener". GoalWA.net. January 15, 2012. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  37. "Box Score: Jan 14, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 14, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  38. "Box Score: Jan 15, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 15, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  39. "Box Score: Feb 11, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 11, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  40. "Box Score: Feb 12, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 12, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  41. "Box Score: Feb 24, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 24, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  42. "Box Score: Feb 25, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 25, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  43. "Box Score: Feb 26, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 26, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  44. "Box Score: Feb 26, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 26, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
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