Panama City Beach Pirates

Panama City Beach Pirates
Full name Panama City Beach Pirates
Nickname(s) The Pirates
Founded 2007 (as Panama City Pirates)
Dissolved 2015
Stadium Mike Gavlak Stadium
Panama City Beach, Florida
Ground Capacity 3,500
Owner Eehab Kenawy
Head Coach Greg Devito
League USL Premier Development League
2014 4th, Southeast
Playoffs: DNQ
Website Club home page

The Panama City Beach Pirates are an American soccer team that plays in the Southeast Division of the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. The club was originally founded in 2007 as the Panama City Pirates and played in the PDL in 2008 and 2009, before folding due to financial constraints. However, the club would be revived in 2011 under new ownership to begin play once again in the PDL in 2012. Later after the 2014 season the Pirates would once again end their program.

The team plays its home games in Panama City Beach, Florida at Mike Gavlak Stadium on the campus of Arnold High School, where it had played since 2008. The team's colors are black, white and red.

History

Early days

The Panama City Pirates were founded in 2007 to begin play in the USL Premier Development League, the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. The team received a great deal of local fanfare and publicity, but found the early going tough in competitive terms, losing their opening two fixtures, both to Central Florida Kraze on consecutive dates. Despite a couple of battling ties, the Pirates didn't pick up their first victory until the first weekend of June, with a 3–2 win at home over Nashville Metros. This seemed to spark a turn in the Pirates' fortunes, as they suddenly found their goalscoring touch. The Palm Beach Pumas bore the brunt of the Pirates' new-found prowess in front of goal, being annihilated 6-0, 7-0 and 5-0 in their three games in June. C.D. Harris and Bruno Conceição hit 12 of the Pirates' 18 goals against the Pumas between them, and helped the team enjoy a seven-game unbeaten streak which also included a 1-0 win over Bradenton Academics, and an unexpected 3-0 victory over the Central Florida Kraze, the latter of which saw them playing with 10 men for over half an hour. Unfortunately for the Pirates, their late-season charge wasn't quite enough for them to make the playoffs, and their last-day defeat to Bradenton left them in 5th place in the Southeast; still an excellent achievement for a first-year franchise. C.D. Harris and Bruno Conceição were the season's top scorers, with 10 and 7 goals respectively.

The team folded in April 2010, just weeks before the start of the 2010 PDL season, when owners Laird and Nanette Hitchcock informed the league there were no financial resources with which to continue running the club.[1]

Original Panama City Pirates logo 2008-2010

2012 season

In November 2011, the club was resurrected as the Panama City Beach Pirates under the new ownership of Eehab Kenawy, Jill Holt, and Amy Dalton to once again play in the USL PDL in 2012.

The Pirates would play in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference of the PDL, along with the Ocala Stampede, Orlando City U-23, IMG Bradenton Academics, VSI Tampa Bay, Mississippi Brilla, Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy, and FC Jax Destroyers.

The Pirates finished the season in 6th place, with 16 points in the regular season and a 4-3-1 home record, and 6-7-3 overall.

2013 season

The Pirates held open tryouts for the 2013 PDL season on January 12–13 and February 9–10 at Pete Edwards Field in Panama City Beach, Florida, with the season set to begin on May 2, 2013.[2]

The Pirates clinched a playoff spot after defeating Ft. Lauderdale Schulz Academy 2–0 at home on July 13, 2013; this represents the first time the Pirates have made it to the post-season in their short history.

The season came to an end in Austin, Texas, in a loss to the home-town Aztex 0–4 in the Southern Conference semi-finals to end the season with a 10–4–1 record.

2014 Schedule

Month Day Opponent Score Win/Loss
May 17 @ Mississippi Brilla 1-2 L
June 7 v SW Florida 1-1 D
June 13 v Ocala 2-4 L
June 15 @ Orlando City 1-1 D
June 17 @ IMG Bradenton 0-1 L
June 21 v IMG Bradenton 1-0 W
June 23 @ IMG Bradenton 0-2 L
June 24 @ Orlando City 2-1 W
June 27 v Floridians FC 3-3 D
June 29 v Ocala 3-4 L
July 5 v Orlando City 2-0 W
July 11 @ SW Florida 1-3 L
July 13 @ Floridians FC 2-1 W
July 19 v Mississippi Brilla 4-4 D

Colors and badge

The Pirates use black Adidas Tiro 11 jerseys at home and red as visitors, with official USL numbers. The Front sponsor for the 2012 & 2013 jersey is the Panama City Beach Visitor Bureau.

Stadium

Average attendance

Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html.

Club culture

Mascot

Captain Jack the pirate has been the official mascot of the Panama City Beach Pirates since the team was reestablished during the 2012 campaign. He can be found at home games roaming the sideline and cheering on his beloved team.

Players and staff

2013

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 England GK Carl Blundell
2 Brazil DF Taian de Souza
4 United States MF Johnny Saye
6 United States MF Tyler Fabian
7 England MF Andrew Beasley
8 Brazil MF Ricardo Oliveira
9 Brazil FW Calvin Louback Marques
10 France FW Nasser Charif
11 United States MF T.J. Merrigan
14 United States FW Jason Ream
No. Position Player
15 United States FW Matt Raines
17 United States DF Drew Russell
18 United States DF Robbie Russell
19 United States DF Ryan Rogers
20 United States FW Will Monsour
21 United States MF Mikey Lightbourne
23 United States GK Sean Lewis
24 United States DF Brandon Barbero
26 England FW David Malloy
27 United States DF Josh McCrary

Head coaches

Year-by-year

Year Division League Regular Season Playoffs Open Cup
2008 4 USL PDL 5th, Southeast Did not qualify Did not qualify
2009 4 USL PDL 4th, Southeast Did not qualify Did not qualify
2010 DNP
2011 DNP
2012 4 USL PDL 6th, Southeast Did not qualify Did not qualify
2013 4 USL PDL 2nd, Southeast Conference Semi-finals Did not qualify
2014 4 USL PDL 4th, Southeast Did not qualify 2nd Round
Season Games Played Wins Losses Ties Home Wins Home Losses Home Ties Away Wins Away Losses Away Ties Goal Differential
2012 16 6 7 3 4 3 1 2 4 2 0
2013 15 10 4 1 6 1 0 4 3 1 9
2014 14 4 6 4 2 2 3 2 4 1 (4)

References

  1. ↑ "Pirates season in doubt".
  2. ↑ Shoot, Jason (January 14, 2013). "PCB Pirates eye bright future". The News Herald. Panama City, FL. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
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