San Jose CyberRays
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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 Jose State University in San Jose, California. The team began play in 2001 as the Bay Area CyberRays, and won the league title (known as the Founders' Cup) that year over the rival Atlanta Beat, in 4-2 shootout after double overtime of a 3-3 game. Stars included U.S. National Team star Brandi Chastain, WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year LaKeysia Beene, and leading scorer and Championship MVP Julie Murray. Other memorable Cyberrays were Brazilians Sissi and Katia, Tisha Venturini (from the U.S. National Team), and ironwoman Thori Bryan. They were coached by Ian Sawyers, who received WUSA Coach of the Year honors.
They changed the franchise name to San Jose CyberRays in 2002, and also gave their roster a facelift, allowing Murray to retire and trading for Pretinha, 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.