FC Gold Pride

Team history

FC Gold Pride was established on September 3, 2008, as the last of seven clubs to join the newly formed Women's Professional Soccer league. The ownership group was headed by Brian and Nancy NeSmith; Brian NeSmith was the CEO of Blue Coat Systems, an internet technology company based in Sunnyvale. Albertin Montoya, a former San Jose Clash midfielder and a local youth coach, was appointed as the team's first head coach. On September 29, 2008, Sissi, who had played for the Brazil national team and the San Jose CyberRays, was named the first assistant coach. The club announced on November 13, 2008, that its home games would be played at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, a venue shared with the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer and Santa Clara University's soccer teams. The team's official name, FC Gold Pride, and its lioness logo were unveiled to the public on November 19, 2008.

On September 16, 2008, the WPS allocated three United States national team players to FC Gold Pride: Nicole Barnhart, Leslie Osborne, and Rachel Buehler. A week later, on September 24, 2008, the league allocated four more players through the 2008 WPS International Draft: Canadian striker Christine Sinclair, Japanese striker Eriko Arakawa, Brazilian midfielder Formiga, and Brazilian defender Érika. In February 2009, the Pride signed Formiga to a one-year contract, along with Arakawa, post-draft discovery pick Adriane from Brazil, Érika, and Sinclair. At the 2009 WPS Draft, the club selected three former college players: UCLA midfielder Christina DiMartino, Notre Dame defender Carrie Dew, and Penn State forward Tiffany Weimer. Former United States national team star Brandi Chastain was also among the 2009 draftees.

FC Gold Pride won its first-ever WPS match on April 5, 2009, against the Boston Breakers. The team stayed competitive until defender Kandace Wilson suffered an injury during a home game against the Los Angeles Sol. Following that, a second loss to the Washington Freedom triggered a slide that left the club at the bottom of the WPS standings for the remainder of the season. In response to Wilson's injury, the club signed Los Angeles Sol draftee Greer Barnes, promoted developmental player Marisa Abegg to the full roster, and brought Sissi back onto the field as a player.

The Pride failed to qualify for the 2009 WPS Playoffs after a must-win match against the Saint Louis Athletica ended in a 1–1 draw. The team finally ended a ten-game winless streak with a 3–2 victory over the Washington Freedom on August 1, 2009. However, a final loss to Sky Blue FC and a tie with Saint Louis Athletica meant FC Gold Pride finished last in the league standings.

During the 2009–10 offseason, the only player lost in the 2009 WPS Expansion Draft was defender Leigh Ann Robinson, who was selected by the Atlanta Beat. The club traded Allison Whitworth to the Beat in exchange for the 10th and 12th overall picks in the 2010 WPS Draft. Co-captain Leslie Osborne and assists leader Tiffany Weimer left for the Boston Breakers in free agency. Eriko Arakawa was loaned back to her former Nadeshiko League club, NTV Beleza, for the remainder of her WPS contract.

The club declined contract options for Adriane, Érika, and Formiga, and waived Brandi Chastain in February 2010. Canadian player Candace Chapman was signed on October 8, 2009, and after scouting the 2009 UEFA Women's Championship, the club added Norwegian international Solveig Gulbrandsen on December 10. FC Gold Pride acquired Camille Abily from the Los Angeles Sol in exchange for midfielder Tina DiMartino, the club's top 2009 draft pick, the 14th overall pick in the 2010 draft, and the rights to a 2009 international discovery player.

In the 2010 WPS Draft, the team selected 2009 Hermann Trophy winner Kelley O'Hara, New Zealand international Ali Riley, and 2008 U-20 World Cup champions Becky Edwards and Kaley Fountain, among others. After the Los Angeles Sol folded, FC Gold Pride acquired Marta, Kiki Bosio, and Lindsay Browne in the 2010 WPS Dispersal Draft. The club also signed former Sol goalkeeper Brittany Cameron as a free agent.

The 2010 season saw FC Gold Pride start strong and maintain momentum throughout. Despite the departure of Solveig Gulbrandsen and a trade sending Kaley Fountain to the Atlanta Beat, the Pride dominated the regular season and won their first WPS Championship on September 26, 2010, defeating the Philadelphia Independence 4–0. Three players received end-of-season honors: Marta was named Player of the Year and won the Golden Boot for the second consecutive season; Nicole Barnhart was named Goalkeeper of the Year; and Ali Riley was named Rookie of the Year. On November 16, 2010, after the season ended, it was announced that FC Gold Pride had folded and would not return for the 2011 season. The club's team captains were Leslie Osborne in 2009, Rachel Buehler from 2009 to 2010, and Camille Abily in 2010. All-time records include only competitive matches, counting wins and draws.