San Francisco Seals (soccer) - History - Resurrection in The PDL

Resurrection in The PDL

Then, in 2006, after a six-year gap, the original club owners resurrected the team, this time as a franchise in the PDL as the San Francisco Seals. Their first year back in competition was fairly decent - four wins in their first six games, including a comprehensive 3-1 over California Gold - left the team well in contention for the playoffs as the second half of the campaign began. However, a disappointing run of results in the latter half of 2007, including a winless streak of 5 games from mid-June to early July saw the team slip down the table, eventually finishing 6th. The end of the season was enlivened by a staggering 8-1 victory over California Gold that featured a brace by Luke Sassano. Jose Diaz and Peruvian striker John Colan were the team's top scorers, notching 13 goals between them, while Shani Simpson contributed 4 assists.

2007 was a similar seesaw season of disappointing inconsistency for the Seals, when victory following defeat following victory following defeat all year long - this despite the presence of former Manchester City defender Danny Warrender marshalling the back line. The Seals did enjoy a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Orange County Blue Star in July, but failed to overcome their Bay Area rivals San Jose Frogs in their two-game series, losing 2-0 in San Jose in June, and losing 2-0 at home in their season finale. The Seals eventually finished a comfortable mid-table 6th; Anton Peterlin and Keith Ratzberg were joint top scorers with 3 goals each, while Richard Halvorsen registered 3 assists.

The Seals began 2008 in fine form, picking up four wins in their first six games, including 3-2 opening day victory over Fresno Fuego that featured a brace from Kellan Wilson, and a come-from-behind victory over Orange County Blue Star which again saw Wilson increase his goal tally by two. They only just missed out on qualifying for the US Open Cup, beaten by a similarly fast-starting Los Angeles Legends, but suffered a down-turn in form in June, picking up just one win (2-0 away to Southern California Seahorses) and suffering a desperate last-minute loss away at Los Angeles Legends. It was this inconsistency which ultimately cost the Seals a place in the post-season; after three back to back wins in July, including a nailbiting 3-2 win over Lancaster Rattlers, nerves set in; a 3-0 final day loss to San Jose Frogs when a win was required proved to be the ultimate nail in the coffin. They eventually finished the season in 4th, just two points out of the playoffs. Kellan Wilson and Peter Lovell were joint top scorers with six goals each.

In December 2008 the Seals announced that, due to the folding of their local competition the San Jose Frogs, and the state of the economy, they would not be fielding a PDL team in 2009.