Over the last two years, the San Fernando Valley Quakes have established themselves as the #3 soccer franchise in the greater Los Angeles area - after Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA - and as one of the most exciting amateur soccer teams in the United States.
The brainchild of former professional soccer player Mat Davis, the Quakes joined the USL Premier Development League in 2006, and immediately made an impact. On the field, the team, led by then-head coach Ali Khosroshahin, missed qualifying for the PDL playoffs in their inaugural season by just one point, and made a splash in the Southwest Division, beating seasoned opponents and providing the people of the San Fernando Valley with an exciting, quality sports entertainment product. As well as their regular season endeavors, the Quakes tied with MLS powerhouse Los Angeles Galaxy 2-2 in an exhibition game at Granada Hills High School, and only lost 3-2 to the Chivas USA reserve team in a scrimmage at the Home Depot Center.
Off the field, the Quakes’ attendance figures were in the top 20% for the PDL, and the organization enjoyed a great deal of positive coverage from the local media. After the season’s conclusion, Quakes midfielder Kamani Hill moved to play for VfL Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga, and has since played for the senior US Men’s National Team - watching the Quakes is like getting a glimpse of America’s soccer stars of the future!
At the end of 2006 the Quakes management made the decision to sign a community partnership with the West Valley Soccer League and Real SoCal Soccer Club, to enhance the overall value of the franchise. Real SoCal is one of the largest and most successful youth soccer clubs in Southern California, with over 700 competitive youth players, while the West Valley Soccer League is a well-established and respected competition which attracts over 3,000 youth players each year.
With this partnership, the Quakes now enjoys a built-in fan base of over 3,000 families, as well as the expertise and manpower of one of the largest local youth soccer organizations that holds several youth national championships. Finally, management also signed a joint marketing agreement with Chivas that includes mutual promotion as well as a series of exhibition games in the San Fernando Valley and local clinics.
The 2007 season was even better for the Quakes. With new head coach Juan Florez leading the way, the Quakes qualified for the post-season for the first time, off the back of a 10-game undefeated streak, and a season-long undefeated home records. Although the Quakes lost in the first round of the playoffs, it still stands as a remarkable achievement for a second-year franchise, and firmly establishes the San Fernando Valley Quakes as one of the best amateur teams in the United States.
