San Diego Jaws
Full nameSan Diego Jaws
Founded1976
Dissolved1976 (moved)
StadiumAztec Bowl,
San Diego, California
LeagueNorth American Soccer League

The San Diego Jaws were a professional soccer team based in San Diego, California, playing their home games at the Aztec Bowl on the campus of San Diego State University. Founded in 1976, the team was a member of the North American Soccer League, and was the league's second attempt to place a franchise in San Diego with the Toros having folded in 1968 after two seasons. The franchise lasted only one season and relocated to Las Vegas for the 1977 NASL season.

History

Founded as the in 1973 as the Baltimore Comets the bankrupt franchise was sold after two unsuccessful seasons on the east coast and moved by new owner Ken Keegan to the San Diego.[1][2] It January 1976, it was announced the team had been renamed "Jaws".[3] The team hired English midfielder Derek Trevis who had won the NASL championship in 1973 as part of the Philadelphia Atoms to acts as player-manager of the new franchise.[4] Former Chapman College baseball coach Paul Deese, who claimed to have only seen two soccer games in his life,[5] was hired as General Manager.[6] Even though the team still had five open roster spots, include two of three forwards, the Jaws faced their first opponent the Dallas Tornados in a preseason game on March 12, 1976,[7] losing 2-0 in front of a mostly unpaid crowd of 6,754.[8] A week later, the team competed in the 1976 NASL Indoor tournament in Daly City, California, losing both games in which they participated.[9] In another preseason game on March 24, 1976, this one held at Balboa Stadium, in front of 18,128 people in attendance the Jaws tied the New York Cosmos holding Pelé scoreless in the 1-1 draw.[10]

San Diego began the outdoor season with a 1–0 win in overtime against the San Antonio Thunder with 5,200 fans in attendance.[11] Later that month, the team hosted the Mexican Olympic team at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California losing 2-1 with Hugo Sánchez scoring both of Mexico's goals.[12][13] It was reported that team owner Ken Keegan was seeking investors from the local community, with five limited partners added to the ownership group by mid July.[14] The Jaws ended the season at home losing to the Minnesota Kicks 1-0 before 9,400 fans after two overtime periods.[15] The Jaws finished the season with a record of 9 wins and 15 losses, last place in the Pacific Conference Southern Division.[16] For the season, the team averaged over 6,000 fans at each home game, but it was reported the average paid attendance was only about 2,500.[17] After weeks of speculation, on October 19, 1976, it was reported the team would be moving to Las Vegas.[17]

After one season in Las Vegas, the franchise was sold and returned to San Diego as the San Diego Sockers.[18]

Year-by-year

Year League W L T Pts Reg. Season Playoffs
1976 NASL indoor 0 2 — 0 3rd, West Regional did not qualify
1976 NASL 9 15 — 82 5th, Pacific Conference, Southern Division did not qualify

Honors

Indoor All-Stars

Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame members

References

  1. ^ Lowenberger, William (October 10, 1975). "Comets to move to Calif". The Baltimore Sun. p. C7. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  2. ^ "San Diego-bound soccer team sold". Times-Advocate. New York. Associated Press. October 12, 1975. p. B-5. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  3. ^ "More, more, more". Chicago Tribune. January 17, 1976. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  4. ^ "Jaws sign Trevis". Times-Advocate. January 28, 1976. p. A-17. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  5. ^ "Morning Briefing". The Los Angeles Times. February 19, 1976. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  6. ^ Gustkey, Earl (February 3, 1976). "Baseball Man Turns to Soccer". The Los Angeles Times. p. 9. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  7. ^ "Jaws debut set tonight against Rote, Tornado". Times-Advocate. San Diego. March 12, 1976. p. A-12. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  8. ^ Littlefield, Larry (March 14, 1976). "Jaws entertain, lose". Times-Advocate. San Diego. pp. B1, B2. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  9. ^ "Earthquakes, Tornado complete indoor field". Tampa Bay Times. March 22, 1976. p. 2C. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  10. ^ Littlefield, Larry (March 25, 1976). "Pele held scoreless by Jaws in 1-1 tie before 18,128 fans". Times-Advocate. San Diego. p. A-15. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  11. ^ "Defense leads Jaws in upset over Thunder". Times-Advocate. San Diego. April 19, 1976. p. A-10. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  12. ^ "Jaws to play Mexican team". Times-Advocate. Chula Vista, California. April 27, 1976. p. A-11. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  13. ^ "Jaws lost to Mexican team". Times-Advocate. Chula Vista, California. April 29, 1976. p. A-12. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  14. ^ "Local man takes post with Jaws". Imperial Beach Star-News. July 18, 1976. p. B-2. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  15. ^ "Kicks score 1-0 win over Jaws". Times-Advocate. San Diego. United Press International. August 15, 1976. p. B-4. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  16. ^ "North American Soccer League". RSSSF. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Jaws move soccer team to Las Vegas". Times-Advocate. San Diego. October 20, 1976. p. A-18. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  18. ^ "Quicksilvers moved". Corvallis Gazette-Times. San Diego. Associated Press. December 22, 1977. p. 18. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  19. ^ Hunt, Tim (March 22, 1976). "Quakes work for 8–4 win". The Argus (Fremont, CA). p. 16. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  20. ^ "Hall of Famers". indoorsoccerhall.com. September 1, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
Categories