San Jose CyberRays

Infobox Football club
clubname = San Jose CyberRays


fullname = San Jose CyberRays
nickname = Bay Area CyberRays; CyberRays
founded = 2001
ground = Spartan Stadium
capacity = 30,456
chrtitle = Owner
chairman = flagicon|USA WUSA
ceo =
mgrtitle = Coach
manager =
league = Women's United Soccer Association
season = 2003
position = 6th
pattern_la1=|pattern_b1=_thinredsides|pattern_ra1=
leftarm1=800080|body1=800080|rightarm1=800080|shorts1=800080|socks1=800080
pattern_la2=_whiteshoulders|pattern_b2=_whiteshoulders|pattern_ra2=_whiteshoulders
leftarm2=FF8000|body2=FF8000|rightarm2=FF8000|shorts2=FF8000|socks2=FF8000
First game = Last Game San Jose CyberRays 0 - 2 Philadelphia Charge
"(The Home Depot Center; June 27, 2004)"
topscorer =
fansgroup =
honours = Founder's Cup (1)
American = true The San Jose CyberRays was a professional soccer team that played in the Women's United Soccer Association. The team played at Spartan Stadium on the South Campus of San José State University in San Jose, California. Stars included bra-bearing U.S. National Team star Brandi Chastain, WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year LaKeysia Beene, and leading scorer Julie Murray. Other memorable CyberRays were Brazilians Sissi and Katia, Tisha Venturini (from the U.S. National Team), and "ironwoman" Thori Bryan, who played every minute of the first season. They were coached by Ian Sawyers, who received WUSA Coach of the Year honors in 2001.

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 4-2 shootout after double overtime of a 3-3 game.

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.

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. [http://www.womensprosoccer.com/newsitem_ektid4540.aspx]

References

External links