San Jose CyberRays

History

Establishment

The CyberRays were founded in 2000 as a member of the Women's United Soccer Association, the first professional women's soccer league in the United States. The league featured many of the stars from the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. The team featured United States women's national team players and league founding players Brandi Chastain, Tisha Venturini and LaKeysia Beene.

Year-by-year

Inaugural season

Main article: 2001 WUSA season

The team won the WUSA title (known as the Founders Cup) for the league's inaugural season in 2001. The CyberRays triumphed over the Atlanta Beat, in a 4–2 shootout after double overtime of a 3–3 game. It was the only year in the country's history that both a women's and men's professional soccer team won championship titles in the same city.

2002

Main article: 2002 WUSA season

In 2002 the team changed its name from the Bay Area CyberRays to the San Jose CyberRays, and also gave their roster a facelift, allowing Murray to retire and trading for Pretinha from the Washington Freedom, who along with Katia and Sissi, gave the new attack a decidedly Brazilian flavor. The bold changes didn't have the desired effect, however, and the team finished out of the playoffs. One bright spot was the emergence of Katia, who scored 15 goals and broke Tiffeny Milbrett's record for most points in a season.

2003

The CyberRays had high hopes for 2003, but an anemic offense (worst in the league in goals scored) hurt the team all year. The team remained in contention until the end of the season, but finished out of the playoffs for a second straight year.

But even bigger problems were brewing in the background, as the WUSA continued to struggle financially. The CyberRays folded on September 15, 2003, when the league announced it was suspending operations.

Stadium

The CyberRays played at Spartan Stadium on the South Campus of San Jose State University in San Jose, California. The stadium was used for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and was also the home of the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer from 1996 to 2005. At the time, the stadium featured a grass pitch and up to 30,456 capacity.

Broadcasting

In 2002, games were broadcast on television via PAX TV. California Bears assistant coach Jennifer Thomas provided color commentary while KCBS Radio sports announcer Hal Ramey was the play-by-play announcer. A number of league games were broadcast on Turner Sports and CNN/Sports Illustrated.

References

References

1. (April 14, 2001). "After long wait, WUSA finally here; Kickoff: Women's soccer league set for debut in United States". Telegraph – Herald (Dubuque).
2. (April 14, 2001). "A Step Toward an Even Playing Field; Long-Sought Dream Finally Becomes a Reality When the WUSA Kicks Off Today". The Washington Post.
3. (April 13, 2001). "Women stars have league of their own.". The Christian Science Monitor.
4. "Attendance Project: WUSA". Attendance Project.
5. (October 19, 2011). "Classics: Bay Area CyberRays top Atlanta Beat in first-ever Founders Cup". Equalizer Soccer.
6. "San Jose CyberRays roster | Fanbase".
7. "Women's Professional Soccer - home of pro soccer players :: News Detail :: Bay Area joins Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) for inaugural season".
8. (September 6, 2001). "CyberRays To Play Next Year at Spartan Stadium; Name Change?". Sports Business Daily.
9. "Spartan Stadium". San Jose State University.
10. (April 10, 2002). "Notebook: CyberRays to defend inaugural WUSA title". Houston Chronicle.
11. (March 29, 2002). "Thomas Named As Color Commentator for CyberRays". University of California Berkeley.
12. (April 16, 2000). "WUSA scores Turner pact". Broadcasting Cable.