San Diego Sockers (2001–2004)

For other uses, see San Diego Sockers.

San Diego Sockers

Founded	2001
Dissolved	2004
Stadium	San Diego Sports Arena
Owner	David Altomare [1] [2] [3]
Head Coach	Brian Quinn
League	WISL (2001) [1] MISL II (2002–2004) [2] [3]

The San Diego Sockers were a professional indoor soccer team based in San Diego, California, that competed in the World Indoor Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League.

The team began play in the WISL in 2001. ^[1] This was also the team's most successful year; they had the best regular season record in the WISL, although they lost to the Dallas Sidekicks in the WISL championship playoff. ^{[4] [ better source needed ]}. The WISL merged into the MISL beginning with the 2002–2003 season, and the Sockers played in the MISL for the next three seasons.

Ahead of the 2004–2005 season, a majority share in the team was sold to Raj Kalra, the owner of the Vancouver Ravens of the National Lacrosse League. The sale was unanimously approved by the MISL in October 2004 and Kalra stated that he was "certain we're going to make money". ^[5] However, by December, Kalra had not paid the Sockers' players, employees, or vendors, including schools that participated in a ticket rebate program with the team. ^{[6] [7]} and the league voted to discontinue the franchise mid-season, on December 30, 2004. ^[8]

A new team using the Sockers' name and logo joined the PASL-PRO in the 2009–10 season.

Honors

• WISL Regular Season champion (2001) ^[9]

Year-by-year

Year	League	Reg. Season	Playoffs	Attendance
2001	WISL	1st WISL, 14–10	Lost Championship	4,029
2002–03	MISL	3rd West, 14–22	Lost Division Semifinal	4,248
2003–04	MISL	2nd West, 13–23	Failed to Qualify	4,212
2004–05	MISL	8th MISL, 4–6	Folded at midseason	3,938

Head coaches

• Brian Quinn 2001–2004 ^[10]

Arenas

• San Diego Sports Arena 2001–2004

References

1. 2001 San Diego Sockers Media Guide (PDF). Retrieved October 30, 2025.
2. 2002 San Diego Sockers Media Guide (PDF). Retrieved October 30, 2025.
3. 2003 San Diego Sockers Media Guide (PDF). Retrieved October 30, 2025.
4. "On This Day (12.22.01)". Dallas Sidekicks Facebook Page. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
5. "MISL Approves New Majority Owner For San Diego Sockers". Sports Business Journal. October 7, 2004. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
6. "Sockers Post a New Goal, Avoiding Collapse". San Diego Business Journal. December 12, 2004. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
7. "Sockers Anyone? Sangara Backs Out Due To Media Attention". Sports Business Journal. December 13, 2004. Archived from the original on October 30, 2025.
8. "MISL Suspends Operations Of Sockers, Monterrey Franchise". Sports Business Journal. January 3, 2005. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
9. "Championship History - San Diego Sockers". San Diego Sockers. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
10. "2000s - San Diego Sockers". San Diego Sockers. Retrieved October 30, 2025.