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Syracuse Pulse
Nickname(s)The Pulse
Founded2021
Dissolved2022
(merged with Flower City Union)
Stadium Lazer Stadium
Capacity2,000
PresidentSamir Belhseine
Head CoachPeter Fuller
League National Independent Soccer Association
United Women's Soccer
Website Club website

Syracuse Pulse, initially AC Syracuse Pulse, was an American professional soccer club based in Syracuse, New York. The Pulse fielded a men's team in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), the third tier of the US soccer pyramid, during the 2022 season before merging with the Flower City Union.

History

Founding

In May 2021, an ownership group led by local businessman Samir Belhseine announced an application to join the National Independent Soccer Association for 2022. [1] The team, initially just called AC Syracuse, announced plans to develop an academy system along with a women's soccer team that would compete in United Women's Soccer. The team also announced a fan-vote for the community to pick the club mascot, with the top 32 names at the end of the voting submission window entered into a bracket and a winner announced at the New York State Fair. [2]

On October 26, the team was officially accepted into NISA after being approved by the league's Board of Governors. [3] The team also announced its new team nickname Syracuse Pulse and logo the same day in a local press conference. [4] Former C.F. União assistant manager and Cayman Islands youth national team manager Cláudio Garcia was announced as the first-ever team manager, but was replaced before the season by former Chattanooga FC coach Peter Fuller. [5]

2022 Season

The Pulse entered their inaugural season in a rushed fashion; the club's first training session was March 19, just seven days before their first league match. Nevertheless, they won that inaugural game over Upstate New York rival Flower City Union. [6]

The Pulse finished the 2022 season 7-4-11, good for sixth place and the last playoff spot. [7] They were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round, 2-0, by eventual league champions Michigan Stars FC. [8]

Merger

On January 17, 2023, Syracuse Pulse ceased to exist as a separate club after they merged with fellow expansion team Flower City Union based in Rochester, New York. The combined club plays home matches in both cities; for home games in Syracuse the club plays under the name Salt City Union with its own logo and color scheme. [9]

Ground

AC Syracuse Pulse played their home games at Lazer Stadium on the campus of Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, New York.

Planned Women's Team

On December 10, 2021, the United Women's Soccer league announced that the a new Pulse women's team had been accepted into the league for the 2022 season. [10] Syracuse native and former UWS player Brooke Barbuto was also announced as the team's first head coach. In May 2022, the league announced that the Pulse would not be playing after all "due to unforeseen circumstances". [11]

Proposed Moroccan Academy

Ahead of its inaugural season, team management from The Pulse and NISA visited Morocco, Belhseine's home country, in November 2021 on a humanitarian mission. [12] In a joint press conference the team announced a partnership with the city of Laayoune to open an academy to promote and develop football in the Sahara region. [13]

References

  1. ^ Reinhardt, Eric (21 May 2021). "Syracuse group announces NISA pro soccer club to begin play in 2022". Central New York Business Journal. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  2. ^ Johnson, Steve (21 May 2021). "AC Syracuse to join NISA professional soccer league in 2022". WSYR. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  3. ^ "NISA Board Approves AC Syracuse Pulse Application". www.nisasoccer.com. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  4. ^ Waters, Mike (28 October 2021). "Syracuse Pulse: New franchise hopes soccer has a pulse in Syracuse". syracuse. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Welcome Coach Peter Fuller to The Syracuse Pulse". syracusepulse.com. Syracuse Pulse. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  6. ^ Pignatello, Connor (29 April 2022). "Pro soccer returns: What to know about the Syracuse Pulse before their home opener Sunday". syracuse.com. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  7. ^ "MEDIA ALERT : 2022 NISA Playoff Seeding, Host Venues Set". nisaofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Media Alert : Michigan Stars FC and ALBION San Diego Propel Themselves Into NISA Semi-Finals". nisaofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  9. ^ Lewis, Michael (January 17, 2023). "A Unique Union: Flower City, Syracuse Pulse join forces as NISA team will play in both cities". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  10. ^ "AC Syracuse Pulse joins United Women's Soccer". United Women's Soccer. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  11. ^ "UWS welcomes FC Berlin". uwssoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  12. ^ "AC Syracuse Takes NISA on Humanitarian Mission to Morocco". www.nisasoccer.com. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  13. ^ "Opening of U.S. AC Syracuse Academy in Moroccan Sahara | The North Africa Post". northafricapost.com. 20 November 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.