San Diego Jaws

San Diego Jaws
Full name	San Diego Jaws
Founded	1976
Dissolved	1976 (moved)
Stadium	Aztec Bowl,; San Diego, California
League	North American Soccer League
Home colors	Away colors

The San Diego Jaws were a professional soccer team based in San Diego, California, that competed in the North American Soccer League (NASL). The team played its games at Aztec Bowl on the campus of San Diego State University. Founded in 1976, the team 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 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

1976: Archie Roboostoff (West All-Regional Team)^[19]

Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame members

2019: Alan Mayer^[20]

References

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

[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.

[JawsMove-17] "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.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

v t e North American Soccer League (1968–1984)
Broadcasters USSF CSA Portal NASL (2011–2017) First overall draft picks
Seasons	1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984
Soccer Bowls	1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984
Predecessors	USA 1967 Final NPSL 1967 Final
Indoor seasons	1971 1975 1976 1978 1979 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1983 1983–84
Conferences	1968 East West 1976–1977 Atlantic Pacific 1978–1980 American National
Related	Soccer Bowl broadcasters NASL Indoor Championship
Clubs	Atlanta Apollos Atlanta Chiefs Baltimore Bays Baltimore Comets Boston Beacons Boston Minutemen Boston Shamrock Rovers† Calgary Boomers California Surf Chicago Mustangs Chicago Spurs² Chicago Sting Cleveland Stokers Caribous of Colorado Connecticut Bicentennials Dallas Tornado Denver Dynamos Detroit Cougars Detroit Express Edmonton Drillers Fort Lauderdale Strikers Golden Bay Earthquakes Hartford Bicentennials Houston Hurricane Houston Stars Jacksonville Tea Men Kansas City Spurs Las Vegas Quicksilvers Los Angeles Aztecs Los Angeles Wolves Memphis Rogues Miami Gatos Miami Toros Minnesota Kicks Minnesota Strikers Montreal Manic Montreal Olympique New England Tea Men New York Cosmos New York Generals New York Skyliners¹ Oakland Clippers Oakland Stompers Philadelphia Spartans² Philadelphia Atoms Philadelphia Fury Pittsburgh Phantoms² Portland Timbers Rochester Lancers San Antonio Thunder San Diego Jaws San Diego Sockers San Diego Toros San Francisco Golden Gate Gales¹ San Jose Earthquakes Seattle Sounders St. Louis Stars Tampa Bay Rowdies Team America Team Hawaii Toronto Blizzard Toronto City¹ Toronto Metros Toronto Metros-Croatia Tulsa Roughnecks Vancouver Royals Vancouver Whitecaps Washington Darts Washington Diplomats Washington Whips
¹ United Soccer Association team that did not join NASL upon merger with NPSL. ² National Professional Soccer League team that did not join NASL upon merger with USA.