1996 USISL Premier League season

• Ann Arbor Elites became the Michigan Madness.
• Arizona Cotton became the Arizona Phoenix.
• Montclair Standard Falcons moved to Fontana, CA and became the Fontana Falcons.
• Oklahoma City Slickers changed their name to the Oklahoma City Heat.
• San Francisco All-Blacks United changed their name to the San Francisco Bay Seals.
• Wichita Blue Angels changed their name to the Wichita Blue.

12 teams were added for the season.

Five teams folded after the 1995 season:

• Arkansas A's
• Columbia Heat
• Inland Empire Panteras
• North Bay Breakers
• Shasta Scorchers

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK

|showPKloss=n

|winpoints=3

|PKwinpoints=4

|res_col_header=Q

|team1=LBB|name_LBB=Lexington Bluegrass Bandits

|team2=MIC|name_MIC=Michigan Madness

|team3=DET|name_DET=Detroit Dynamite

|team4=MMB|name_MMB=Mid-Michigan Bucks

|team5=KAL|name_KAL=Kalamazoo Kingdom

|team6=WME|name_WME=Grand Rapids Explosion

|win_LBB=9|PKwin_LBB=1|loss_LBB=4|gf_LBB=32|ga_LBB=18

|win_MIC=8|PKwin_MIC=1|loss_MIC=5|gf_MIC=24|ga_MIC=28

|win_DET=7|PKwin_DET=1|loss_DET=6|gf_DET=34|ga_DET=19

|win_MMB=7|PKwin_MMB=1|loss_MMB=6|gf_MMB=24|ga_MMB=18

|win_KAL=5|PKwin_KAL=0|loss_KAL=9|gf_KAL=18|ga_KAL=22

|win_WME=0|PKwin_WME=0|loss_WME=7|gf_WME=6|ga_WME=21

|adjust_points_LBB=-3|hth_LBB=Detroit, Kalamazoo, Lexington, and Michigan were all penalized 3 points.

|adjust_points_MIC=-3|hth_MIC=LBB

|adjust_points_DET=-3|hth_DET=LBB

|adjust_points_MMB=-3|hth_MMB=LBB

|note_WME= Grand Rapids did not have a home stadium this year, and played only road games.

|col_C=#ccccff|text_C=Division champion

|result1=C

|col_Q=#ccffcc|text_Q=Team qualified for playoff berth

|result2=Q|result4=Q|result5=Q

|update=complete|source=

}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK

|showPKloss=n

|winpoints=3

|PKwinpoints=4

|res_col_header=Q

|team1=ALS|name_ALS=Austin Lone Stars

|team2=OMA|name_OMA=Omaha Flames

|team3=SCB|name_SCB=Sioux City Breeze

|team4=DMM|name_DMM=Des Moines Menace

|team5=OCH|name_OCH=Oklahoma City Heat

|team6=WIC|name_WIC=Wichita Blue

|win_ALS=10|PKwin_ALS=0|loss_ALS=4|gf_ALS=41|ga_ALS=17

|win_OMA=8|PKwin_OMA=0|loss_OMA=6|gf_OMA=39|ga_OMA=22

|win_SCB=7|PKwin_SCB=2|loss_SCB=4|gf_SCB=26|ga_SCB=23

|win_DMM=7|PKwin_DMM=0|loss_DMM=7|gf_DMM=22|ga_DMM=21

|win_OCH=7|PKwin_OCH=0|loss_OCH=7|gf_OCH=22|ga_OCH=26

|win_WIC=5|PKwin_WIC=0|loss_WIC=8|gf_WIC=18|ga_WIC=33

|hth_6PT=Sioux City was penalized 6 points.

|adjust_points_SCB=-6|hth_SCB=WIC,6PT

|hth_WIC=The game between Sioux City and Wichita was postponed and could not be rescheduled before end of the season. The game was cancelled because it had no effect on the playoffs.

|col_C=#ccccff|text_C=Division champion

|result1=C

|col_Q=#ccffcc|text_Q=Team qualified for playoff berth

|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q

|update=complete|source=

}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK

|showPKloss=n

|winpoints=3

|PKwinpoints=4

|res_col_header=Q

|team1=RRD|name_RRD=Roanoke River Dawgs

|team2=JAC|name_JAC=Jackson Chargers

|team3=NAS|name_NAS=Nashville Metros

|team4=BIR|name_BIR=Birmingham Grasshoppers

|win_RRD=10|PKwin_RRD=0|loss_RRD=4|gf_RRD=48|ga_RRD=28

|win_JAC=7|PKwin_JAC=1|loss_JAC=6|gf_JAC=34|ga_JAC=24

|win_NAS=5|PKwin_NAS=2|loss_NAS=7|gf_NAS=34|ga_NAS=26

|win_BIR=4|PKwin_BIR=0|loss_BIR=10|gf_BIR=20|ga_BIR=33

|adjust_points_JAC=-3|hth_JAC=Jackson was penalized 3 points.

|adjust_points_NAS=-6|hth_NAS= Nashville was penalized 6 points.

|col_C=#ccccff|text_C=Division champion

|result1=C

|col_Q=#ccffcc|text_Q=Team qualified for playoff berth

|result2=Q|result3=Q

|update=complete|source=

}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK

|showPKloss=n

|winpoints=3

|PKwinpoints=4

|res_col_header=Q

|team1=COC|name_COC=Cocoa Expos

|team2=ORL|name_ORL=Orlando Lions

|team3=FLS|name_FLS=Florida Strikers

|team4=WFF|name_WFF=West Florida Fury

|team5=MIA|name_MIA=Miami Tango

|team6=SFF|name_SFF=South Florida Future

|win_COC=9|PKwin_COC=1|loss_COC=4|gf_COC=45|ga_COC=22

|win_ORL=8|PKwin_ORL=1|loss_ORL=5|gf_ORL=25|ga_ORL=28

|win_FLS=6|PKwin_FLS=1|loss_FLS=7|gf_FLS=31|ga_FLS=33

|win_WFF=5|PKwin_WFF=0|loss_WFF=9|gf_WFF=29|ga_WFF=36

|win_MIA=4|PKwin_MIA=0|loss_MIA=10|gf_MIA=29|ga_MIA=37

|win_SFF=0|PKwin_SFF=0|loss_SFF=14|gf_SFF=17|ga_SFF=63

|adjust_points_COC=-3|hth_COC=Cocoa, Florida, and Orlando were all penalized 3 points.

|adjust_points_ORL=-3|hth_ORL=COC

|adjust_points_FLS=-3|hth_FLS=COC

|col_BYE=#FFBF00|text_BYE=Bye into semifinals as defending champion.

|result1=BYE

|col_Q=#ccffcc|text_Q=Team qualified for playoff berth

|result3=Q|result4=Q

|update=complete|source=

}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK

|showPKloss=n

|winpoints=3

|PKwinpoints=4

|res_col_header=Q

|team1=SPO|name_SPO=Spokane Shadow

|team2=SFB|name_SFB=San Francisco Bay Seals

|team3=CSS|name_CSS=Colorado Springs Stampede

|team4=SEA|name_SEA=Puget Sound Hammers

|team5=WVF|name_WVF=Willamette Valley Firebirds

|team6=BEL|name_BEL=Bellingham Orcas

|win_SPO=11|PKwin_SPO=1|loss_SPO=2|gf_SPO=34|ga_SPO=17

|win_SFB=10|PKwin_SFB=0|loss_SFB=4|gf_SFB=35|ga_SFB=15

|win_CSS=8|PKwin_CSS=1|loss_CSS=5|gf_CSS=20|ga_CSS=12

|win_SEA=8|PKwin_SEA=0|loss_SEA=6|gf_SEA=31|ga_SEA=23

|win_WVF=5|PKwin_WVF=0|loss_WVF=9|gf_WVF=21|ga_WVF=31

|win_BEL=3|PKwin_BEL=0|loss_BEL=11|gf_BEL=17|ga_BEL=50

|adjust_points_SPO=-3|hth_SPO=Colorado Springs and Spokane were both penalized 3 points.

|adjust_points_CSS=-3|hth_CSS=SPO

|col_C=#ccccff|text_C=Division champion

|result1=C

|col_Q=#ccffcc|text_Q=Team qualified for playoff berth

|result2=Q|result4=Q

|update=complete|source=

}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK

|showPKloss=n

|winpoints=3

|PKwinpoints=4

|res_col_header=Q

|team1=CCR|name_CCR=Central Coast Roadrunners

|team2=SDG|name_SDG=San Diego Top Guns

|team3=ARI|name_ARI=Arizona Phoenix

|team4=TUC|name_TUC=Tucson Amigos

|team5=FON|name_FON=Fontana Falcons

|team6=SCG|name_SCG=Southern California Gunners

|win_CCR=11|PKwin_CCR=1|loss_CCR=2|gf_CCR=38|ga_CCR=16

|win_SDG=8|PKwin_SDG=1|loss_SDG=5|gf_SDG=28|ga_SDG=22

|win_ARI=7|PKwin_ARI=0|loss_ARI=7|gf_ARI=32|ga_ARI=31

|win_TUC=7|PKwin_TUC=0|loss_TUC=7|gf_TUC=24|ga_TUC=29

|win_FON=5|PKwin_FON=0|loss_FON=9|gf_FON=31|ga_FON=32

|win_SCG=3|PKwin_SCG=0|loss_SCG=11|gf_SCG=19|ga_SCG=28

|adjust_points_CCR=-3|hth_CCR=Central Coast and San Diego were both penalized 3 points

|adjust_points_SDG=-3|hth_SDG=CCR

|col_C=#ccccff|text_C=Division champion

|result1=C

|col_Q=#ccffcc|text_Q=Team qualified for playoff berth

|result2=Q|result3=Q

|update=complete|source=

}}

Central Coast received a bye to the PDL Semifinals as the defending champion.

The top four teams from every division except the Southwest earn playoff spots. With Central Coast already receiving a bye, the top two teams from the Southwest Division will play each other, however if Central Coast is in the top two, then the third place team receives a playoff spot. The Division winners would then face each other in the Conference finals.

{{8TeamBracket|nowrap=y

|RD1=Division Semifinals

|RD2=Division Finals

|RD1-group1=North Central Division

|RD1-group2=Central Division

|RD1-seed1=NC1

|RD1-team1={{Flagicon|Michigan}} Michigan Madness

|RD1-score1=

|RD1-seed2=NC4

|RD1-team2={{Flagicon|Michigan}} Mid-Michigan Bucks

|RD1-score2=0

|RD1-seed3=NC2

|RD1-team3={{Flagicon|Michigan}} Detroit Dynamite

|RD1-score3=0

|RD1-seed4=NC3

|RD1-team4={{Flagicon|Michigan}} Kalamazoo Kingdom (AET)

|RD1-score4=1

|RD1-seed5=C1

|RD1-team5={{Flagicon|Nebraska}} Lincoln Brigade

|RD1-score5=0

|RD1-seed6=C4

|RD1-team6={{Flagicon|Iowa}} Des Moines Menace

|RD1-score6=4

|RD1-seed7=C2

|RD1-team7={{Flagicon|Nebraska}} Omaha Flames

|RD1-score7=5

|RD1-seed8=C3

|RD1-team8={{Flagicon|Iowa}} Sioux City Breeze

|RD1-score8=3

|RD2-seed1=NC1

|RD2-team1={{Flagicon|Michigan}} Mid-Michigan Bucks (AET/PSO)

|RD2-score1=0 (1)

|RD2-seed2=NC3

|RD2-team2={{Flagicon|Michigan}} Kalamazoo Kingdom

|RD2-score2=0 (0)

|RD2-seed3=C4

|RD2-team3={{Flagicon|Iowa}} Des Moines Menace

|RD2-score3=6

|RD2-seed4=C2

|RD2-team4={{Flagicon|Nebraska}} Omaha Flames

|RD2-score4=0

}}

{{football box

|event= North Division Playoffs

|round = Semifinals

|date = August 2, 1996

|time =

|team1 ={{flagicon|Michigan}} Michigan Madness

|score = 2–3 (OT)

|report=

|team2 ={{flagicon|Michigan}} Mid-Michigan Bucks

|goals1 =

• Dennis Brose {{goal|30|pen.}}
• {{goal}}

|goals2 =

• {{goal|10}} Andrew Guest
• {{goal|10}} {{golden goal|100}} Scott Wieger

|aet =

|stadium = Soisson-Rapacz-Clason Field
Kalamazoo, Michigan

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

{{football box

|round = Semifinals

|date = August 2, 1996

|time =

|team1 ={{flagicon|Michigan}} Kalamazoo Kingdom

|score = 4–5

|report= https://mlive.newsbank.com/search?text=bandits&date_from=august+3%2C+1996&date_to=&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=123DD2ED27BA8D93

|team2 ={{Flagicon|Kentucky}} Lexington Bluegrass Bandits

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|penalties1=

|penaltyscore=

|penalties2=

|aet = y

|stadium = Soisson-Rapacz-Clason Field
Kalamazoo, Michigan

|attendance = 1,142

|referee =

}}

----

{{football box

|round =North Division Final

|date = August 3, 1996

|time =

|team1 ={{Flagicon|Kentucky}} Lexington Bluegrass Bandits

|score = 0–1 (OT)

|report=

|team2 ={{flagicon|Michigan}} Mid-Michigan Bucks

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|penalties1=

• {{penmiss}}
• {{penmiss}}
• {{penmiss}}
• {{penmiss}}
• {{penmiss}}

|penaltyscore=0–1

|penalties2=

• {{penmiss}}
• {{penmiss}}
• {{penmiss}}
• {{pengoal}} Tim Ritchey
• {{penmiss}}

|aet = y

|stadium =Soisson-Rapacz-Clason Field
Kalamazoo, Michigan

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

{{football box

|event= South Division Playoffs

|round = Semifinals

|date = August 2, 1996

|time = 5:30 PM

|team1 ={{flagicon|Texas}} Austin Lone Stars

|score =1–0 (OT)

|report=

|team2 ={{flagicon|Iowa}} Des Moines Menace

|goals1 =

• Chris Veselka {{golden goal|101}}

|goals2 =

|aet =

|stadium = Tranquility Park
Omaha, Nebraska

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

{{football box

|round = Semifinals

|date = August 2, 1996

|time = 7:05 PM

|team1 ={{Flagicon|Nebraska}} Omaha Flames

|score =3–1

|report= https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/891665042/

|team2 ={{flagicon|Iowa}} Sioux City Breeze

|goals1 =

• Paul Lekics {{goal|29:10}}
• Johnny Torres {{goal|53:52|pen.}}
• Johnny Anderson {{goal|88:59}}
• Mark Haston {{sent off|0}}
• Josh Bahr {{yel}}
• Kieth DeFini {{yel}}

|goals2 =

• {{sent off|2|50|86}} Brandon Jenkins
• {{goal|85:16}} Chris Reid

|aet =

|stadium = Tranquility Park
Omaha, Nebraska

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

----

{{football box

|round = South Division Final

|date = August 3, 1996

|time =

|team1 ={{Flagicon|Nebraska}} Omaha Flames

|score = 3–2 (OT)

|report=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/356824453/

|team2 ={{flagicon|Texas}} Austin Lone Stars

|goals1 =

• Johnny Torres {{goal|37:32}}
• Brian Adams {{goal|46}}
• Marc Madeley {{sent off|0|60}}
• Mike Bustos {{golden goal|99}}

|goals2 =

• {{goal|7:58}} {{sent off|0|65}} Gabe Jones
• {{goal|49}} Chris Veselka

|aet =

|stadium =Tranquility Park
Omaha, Nebraska

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

{{6TeamBracket|nowrap=y

|RD1=Division Semifinals

|RD2=Division Finals

|RD1-group1=Southeast Division

|RD1-group2=Mid-South Division

|RD1-seed1=SE1

|RD1-team1={{Flagicon|Florida}} Cocoa Expos

|RD1-score1=5

|RD1-seed2=SE4

|RD1-team2={{Flagicon|Florida}} Miami Tango

|RD1-score2=2

|RD1-seed3=SE2

|RD1-team3={{Flagicon|Florida}} South Florida Future

|RD1-score3=0

|RD1-seed4=SE3

|RD1-team4={{Flagicon|Florida}} West Florida Fury

|RD1-score4=4

|RD1-seed5=MS1

|RD1-team5={{Flagicon|Ohio}} Cincinnati Riverhawks

|RD1-score5=7

|RD1-seed6=MS4

|RD1-team6={{Flagicon|Alabama}} Alabama Saints

|RD1-score6=4

|RD1-seed7=MS2

|RD1-team7={{Flagicon|Mississippi|1996}} Jackson Chargers (AET)

|RD1-score7=1

|RD1-seed8=MS3

|RD1-team8={{Flagicon|Kentucky}} Lexington Bluegrass Bandits

|RD1-score8=0

|RD2-seed1=SE1

|RD2-team1={{Flagicon|Florida}} Cocoa Expos

|RD2-score1=3

|RD2-seed2=SE3

|RD2-team2={{Flagicon|Florida}} West Florida Fury

|RD2-score2=1

|RD2-seed3=MS1

|RD2-team3={{Flagicon|Ohio}} Cincinnati Riverhawks

|RD2-score3=0

|RD2-seed4=MS2

|RD2-team4={{Flagicon|Mississippi|1996}} Jackson Chargers

|RD2-score4=3

|RD3-seed1=SE1

|RD3-team1={{Flagicon|Florida}} Cocoa Expos

|RD3-score1=2

|RD3-seed2=MS2

|RD3-team2={{Flagicon|Mississippi|1996}} Jackson Chargers

|RD3-score2=1

}}

{{football box

|event= Eastern Conference Play In

|round = Play-In

|date = August 2, 1996

|time = 8:00 PM

|team1 ={{flagicon|Virginia}} Roanoke River Dawgs

|score =1–2 (OT)

|report= https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/920163353/

|team2 ={{flagicon|Tennessee}} Nashville Metros

|goals1 =

• Ian Spooner {{goal|35}}

|goals2 =

• {{goal|83}} Ken Hoey
• {{golden goal|99}} Doug Schenke

|aet =

|stadium = Victory Stadium
Roanoke, Virginia

|attendance = 1,010

|referee =

}}

{{football box

|round = Play-In

|date = August 3, 1996

|time =

|team1 ={{flagicon|Florida}} West Florida Fury

|score =3–4

|report=

|team2 ={{flagicon|Florida}} Florida Strikers

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|penalties1=

|penatyscore=

|penalties2=

|aet = y

|stadium =
Pensacola, Florida

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

----

{{football box

|round= Semifinal

|date = August 9, 1996

|time = 8:00 PM

|team1 ={{flagicon|Florida}} Florida Strikers

|score = 0–1

|report=

|team2 ={{flagicon|Tennessee}} Nashville Metros

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

• {{goal}} Tony Siikala

|aet =

|stadium =The Sports Club
Jackson, Mississippi

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

----

{{football box

|round =Eastern Conference Final

|date = August 10, 1996

|time =

|team1 ={{Flagicon|Mississippi|1996}} Jackson Chargers

|score = 3–2 (OT)

|report=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/183036315/

|team2 = Nashville Metros

|goals1 =

• Sheldon Bennett {{goal|23}}
• Dwayne Demmin {{goal|47}}
• Mickey Trottman {{golden goal|98:50}}

|goals2 =

• {{goal|4}} Pasi Kinturi
• {{goal|44:25}} Tony Siikala

|aet =

|stadium =The Sports Club
Jackson, Mississippi

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

{{8TeamBracket|nowrap=y

|RD1=Division Semifinals

|RD2=Division Finals

|RD3=Western Finals

|RD1-group1=Northwest Division

|RD1-group2=Southwest Division

|RD1-seed1=NW1

|RD1-team1={{Flagicon|Washington}} Spokane Shadow

|RD1-score1=2

|RD1-seed2=NW4

|RD1-team2={{Flagicon|Washington}} Puget Sound Hammers

|RD1-score2=1

|RD1-seed3=NW2

|RD1-team3={{Flagicon|Washington}} Yakima Reds

|RD1-score3=1

|RD1-seed4=NW3

|RD1-team4={{Flagicon|Oregon}} Cascade Surge

|RD1-score4=0

|RD1-seed5=SW1

|RD1-team5={{Flagicon|California}} San Gabriel Valley Highlanders

|RD1-score5=bye

|RD1-seed6=

|RD1-team6=

|RD1-score6=

|RD1-seed7=SW2

|RD1-team7={{Flagicon|Arizona}} Tucson Amigos

|RD1-score7=bye

|RD1-seed8=

|RD1-team8=

|RD1-score8=

|RD2-seed1=NW1

|RD2-team1={{Flagicon|Washington}} Spokane Shadow

|RD2-score1=2

|RD2-seed2=NW2

|RD2-team2={{Flagicon|Washington}} Yakima Reds

|RD2-score2=0

|RD2-seed3=SW1

|RD2-team3={{Flagicon|California}} San Gabriel Valley Highlanders

|RD2-score3=2

|RD2-seed4=SW2

|RD2-team4={{Flagicon|Arizona}} Tucson Amigos

|RD2-score4=1

|RD3-seed1=NW1

|RD3-team1={{Flagicon|Washington}} Spokane Shadow

|RD3-score1=0

|RD3-seed2=SW1

|RD3-team2={{Flagicon|California}} San Gabriel Valley Highlanders

|RD3-score2=1

}}

{{football box

|event= South Division Playoffs

|round = Semifinals

|date = August 2, 1996

|time = 5:30 PM PDT

|team1 ={{flagicon|California}} San Diego Top Guns

|score =3–1

|report=

|team2 ={{flagicon|Arizona}} Arizona Phoenix

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|aet =

|stadium = San Luis Obispo High School
San Luis Obispo, California

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

{{football box

|round = Semifinals

|date = August 2, 1996

|time = 8:00 PM PDT

|team1 ={{flagicon|California}} Central Coast Roadrunners

|score =7–0

|report=

|team2 ={{flagicon|Arizona}} Tucson Amigos

|goals1 =

• Joe Munoz {{goal|3:20}}
• Marc Rohrer {{goal|16:45}}
• Bryan Taylor {{goal|20:44||35}}
• Mario Sanchez {{goal}} {{goal}}
• Mike Matson {{goal}}

|goals2 =

• {{sent off|0|43}} Donny Duetch

|aet =

|stadium = San Luis Obispo High School
San Luis Obispo, California

|attendance = 1,200

|referee =

}}

----

{{football box

|round = South Division Final

|date = August 3, 1996

|time =

|team1 ={{flagicon|California}} Central Coast Roadrunners

|score = 3–2

|report=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/809711592/

|team2 ={{flagicon|California}} San Diego Top Guns

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|aet =

|stadium =San Luis Obispo High School
San Luis Obispo, California

|attendance =1,100

|referee =

}}

{{football box

|event= North Division Playoffs

|round = Semifinals

|date = August 10, 1996

|time = 5:30 PM PDT

|team1 ={{flagicon|Washington}} Spokane Shadow

|score =2–1

|report= https://www.newspapers.com/image/574798902/?terms=San%20Francisco%20Bay%20Seals%09

|team2 ={{flagicon|Washington}} Puget Sound Hammers

|goals1 =

• Tim Seely {{goal|63}}
• Zane Higgins {{goal|83}}

|goals2 =

• {{goal|70}} Ian Russell

|aet =

|stadium = Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane, Washington

|attendance = 1,712

|referee =

}}

{{football box

|round = Semifinals

|date = August 10, 1996

|time =

|team1 ={{flagicon|California}} San Francisco Bay Seals

|score =2–1

|report= https://www.newspapers.com/image/574798902/?terms=San%20Francisco%20Bay%20Seals%09

|team2 ={{flagicon|Colorado}} Colorado Springs Stampede

|goals1 =

• Troya Cowell {{goal|7}}
• Marco Bonaccorsi {{goal|30}}

|goals2 =

• {{goal|42}} Haugland

|aet =

|stadium = Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane, Washington

|attendance =

|referee =

}}

----

{{football box

|round =North Division Final

|date = August 11, 1996

|time = 6:00 PM PDT

|team1 ={{flagicon|Washington}} Spokane Shadow

|score = 2–3

|report= [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/574810965/ Report Part 1] [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/574810996/ Report Part 2]

|team2 ={{flagicon|California}} San Francisco Bay Seals

|goals1 =

• Stuart Saunders {{goal|7}}
• Chad Brown {{goal|80}}

|goals2 =

• {{goal|43||81}} Chris McDonald
• {{goal|55}} Mike Black

|aet =

|stadium = Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane, Washington

|attendance = 1,408

|referee = Neil Pinski

}}

Six teams entered the Premier Six Tournament in Cocoa, Florida the weekend of August 16–18. Each of the five division playoff champions qualified for the tournament, along with the host Cocoa Expos. The teams were seeded in this order, based on their regular season points:

• 1. Central Coast Roadrunners
• 2. San Francisco Bay Seals
• 3. Cocoa Expos
• 4. Omaha Flames
• 5. Jackson Chargers
• 6. Mid-Michigan Bucks.

The Central Coast Roadrunners played the bottom two seeds (Jackson and Mid-Michigan). The San Francisco Seals played the #4 and #6 seeds (Omaha and Mid-Michigan). The Cocoa Expos played and #4 and #5 seeds (Omaha and Jackson).

In order to determine the two teams to qualify for the finals, the league used the following point system during the Premier Six Tournament:

• Win = 3 points
• Shootout win = 2 points
• Shootout loss = 1 point
• Bonus points: Each team scoring three or more goals in regulation or overtime received one extra point.

{{football box

|date = August 16, 1996

|time = 4:00 PM EST

|team1 ={{flagicon|California}} San Francisco Bay Seals (CA)

|goals1 = {{ubl|Chris McDonald {{Goal|64}}|Ken Folan {{Goal|86}}}}

|goals2 = {{ubl|{{Goal|3}} Paul Lekics|{{Goal|52}} Keith DeFini}}

|score = 2-2 OT

|report =

|team2 ={{Flagicon|Nebraska}} Omaha Flames (NE)

|stadium = Cocoa Expo Sports Center, Cocoa, Florida

| attendance =

| referee =

|penalties1= {{ubl|Ken Folan {{penmiss}}|Marquis White {{penmiss}}|Shane Watkins {{pengoal}}|Chris McDonald {{penmiss}}|Mike Black {{penmiss}}}}

|penaltyscore= 1-2

|penalties2= {{ubl|{{pengoal}} Keith DeFini|{{pengoal}} John Anderson|{{penmiss}} Paul Lekics|{{penmiss}} Judd Willmann}}

}}

{{football box

|date = August 16, 1996

|time = 6:00 PM EST

|team1 ={{flagicon|California}} Central Coast Roadrunners (CA)

|goals1 = Bryan Taylor {{Goal}} {{Goal}} {{Goal}}

|goals2 = {{ubl|{{sent off|0|60}} Alan Placek|{{sent off|0|90}} Doug Consigny}}

|score = 3-0

|report =

|team2 ={{flagicon|Michigan}} Mid-Michigan Bucks (MI)

|stadium = Cocoa Expo Sports Center, Cocoa, Florida

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{football box

|date = August 16, 1996

|time = 8:00 PM EST

|team1 ={{flagicon|Florida}} Cocoa Expos (FL)

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{Goal|50}} Sheldon Bennett

|score = 0-1

|report =

|team2 ={{Flagicon|Mississippi|1996}} Jackson Chargers (MS)

|stadium = Cocoa Expo Sports Center, Cocoa, Florida

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{football box

|date = August 17, 1996

|time = 4:00 PM EST

|team1 ={{flagicon|California}} Central Coast Roadrunners (CA)

|goals1 = {{ubl|Marc Rohrer {{Goal|45}}|Bryan Taylor {{Goal|92}}}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|42}} Dwyane Demmin

|score = 2-1 OT

|report =

|team2 ={{Flagicon|Mississippi|1996}} Jackson Chargers (MS)

|stadium = Cocoa Expo Sports Center, Cocoa, Florida

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{football box

|date = August 17, 1996

|time = 6:00 PM EST

|team1 ={{flagicon|California}} San Francisco Bay Seals (CA)

|goals1 = {{ubl|Chris McDonal {{Goal|58||72||76}} |Shane Watkins {{Goal|86}}}}

|goals2 =

|score = 4-0

|report =

|team2 ={{flagicon|Michigan}} Mid-Michigan Bucks (MI)

|stadium = Cocoa Expo Sports Center, Cocoa, Florida

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{football box

|date = August 17, 1996

|time = 8:00 PM EST

|team1 ={{flagicon|Florida}} Cocoa Expos (FL)

|goals1 = {{ubl|Steve Freeman {{Goal}}|Eddie Enders {{Goal}}|Chris Brady {{Goal}}|Steve Freeman {{Goal}}}}

|goals2 = {{ubl|{{Goal}} Paul Lekics {{sent off}}|{{sent off}}|{{sent off}}}}

|score = 4-1

|report =

|team2 ={{Flagicon|Nebraska}} Omaha Flames (NE)

|stadium = Cocoa Expo Sports Center, Cocoa, Florida

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{football box

|date = August 18, 1996

|team1 ={{flagicon|California}} Central Coast Roadrunners (CA)

|goals1 = Bryan Taylor {{Goal|48}}

|goals2 =

|score = 1-0

|report =

|team2 ={{flagicon|California}} San Francisco Bay Seals (CA)

|stadium = Cocoa Expo Sports Center, Cocoa, Florida

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

• MVP: Bryan Taylor

• MVP: Pasi Kinturi
• Points leader: Pasi Kinturi
• Goals leader: Pasi Kinturi
• Assists leader: Steve Freeman
• Rookie of the Year: Bryan Taylor
• Goalkeeper of the Year: Michael LaBerge
• Defender of the Year: Dwyane Demmin
• Coach of the Year: Nuno Piteira
• Organization of the Year: Central Coast Roadrunners
• All League
• Goalkeeper: Michael LaBerge
• Defenders: Steve Freeman, Dwyane Demmin, Zane Higgins, Jeremy Oetman
• Midfielders: Jude Beller, Toni Siikala
• Forwards: Pasi Kinturi, Chris McDonald, Dennis Brose, Bryan Taylor

[http://www.socceramerica.com/article/16369/usisl-1996-postseason-awards.html USISL: 1996 Postseason Awards]

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.rsssf.org/usadave/usisl.html United Soccer Leagues (RSSSF)]

{{USL seasons}}

{{1996 in American soccer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1996 Usisl Premier League Season}}

Category:USL League Two seasons

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