Salt Lake Sting

The Salt Lake Sting was a professional soccer team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They played in the American Professional Soccer League. The club was originally owned by Jack Donovan, who was also the head of the ownership group for Salt Lake City's minor league baseball team of the era, the Salt Lake Trappers. The Sting lasted parts of two seasons, but financial concerns caused league officials to shut the franchise down in midseason on July 5, 1991.[1]

Salt Lake Sting
Full nameSalt Lake Sting
Nickname(s)Sting
Founded1990
GroundDerks Field
Capacity10,000
LeagueAmerican Professional Soccer League

Stadium

The Sting played their short career at Derks Field, a minor-league baseball stadium. The field was laid out in the outfield, and a portion of the field was dirt because it was the infield portion of the baseball diamond.[1]

Initial season

Nearly 10,000 fans attended the first game in April, 1990. The club averaged 5,400 attendees over the 13 games of the first season. This thrilled the ownership as they were hoping to average 2,500. A crowd of 9,439 watched the final game against the San Diego Nomads.[2] The Sting ended the season with a 12-8 record and second place in the Western Soccer League conference. They were knocked out of the playoffs by the Colorado Foxes 2-1 and 4-1. George Pastor was the second leading scorer and Derek Sanderson was the fifth leading scorer in the APSL.[3]

Second season

Director Fred Gray had high hopes for the 1991 season with new coach Valery Volostnykn.[4] The new squad returned leading scored George Pastor and added local talent Steve Sengelmann of Provo and goalkeeper Pat Vietti of Salt Lake. The club ended the season with a 3-17 record and folded before the final game could be played.[5]

Ownership
  • United States Jack Donovan

Staff
  • United States Fred Gray - General Manager

Fred Gray Public Relations Director/Director of Soccer Operations[4]

Coaching

The team was coached by Laurie Calloway from England during their rookie season in 1990.[4] The coach for the Salt Lake Sting in 1991 was Valery Volostnykh from Russia who previously coached at Real Santa Barbara.[6]

Players
  • Category:Salt Lake Sting players

Year-by-year
Year Division League Reg. Season Playoffs Open Cup
1990 N/A APSL 2nd, WSL North WSL 1st Round Did not enter
1991 N/A APSL 4th, Western Did not qualify Did not enter

References
  1. "APSL 1991 Season".
  2. "Twenty years ago: Sting show pro soccer can thrive in S.L." Deseret News. 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  3. http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1990.html
  4. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/158965/
  5. http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1991.html
  6. Gillman, Joel (July 7, 1990). "Storm's Home Edge Rips Real Santa Barbara". The Seattle Times.
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