Turlock Express head coach/owner Art Pulido created the professional indoor soccer team by blending a few experienced indoor players with former college athletes and local Sunday league players.
The results have been positive: Second place in the six-team Western Conference of the Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL).
"I knew we would be good, but I wasn't sure how good," said Pulido, who coached the Express for five years in the Premier Division, the PASL's leading amateur division. "It's a high level of play and other teams have more experience. We have a team with a lot of young players."
For this level of indoor competition, Pulido calls upon the experience of Mexican Indoor National Team player, the Express's leading scorer and midfielder Jorge Quiroz (6 goals, 16 assists in 7 matches), former California Cougars defender Juan Flores and midfielder Uriel Robledo.
Quiroz -- who helped the México City indoor team Sidekicks to a second-place finish this season -- believes Turlock is a good start for more pro teams to sprout in Fresno and Sacramento.
"I see a big future for the sport in northern California," he said in a phone call from México City. "There's a lot of good players with a lot of talent. Some teams need a little more organization, but yes, certainly, I do see a future for professional indoor soccer."
Quiroz, 30, started playing indoor soccer in México City at 15. In comparison, he said the PASL is more competitive than teams in his country.
"There are many more dominant players on certain teams over here," said Quiroz, "but in the PASL, almost anyone can be beaten at any time."
Against well-experienced players on teams like defending champion San Diego Sockers, Tijuana Revolución, the Tacoma Stars, Anaheim Bolts and Phoenix Monsoon, the Express has built itself to a 7-3 record.
"We fill our arena in Turlock with fans, about 300 at our home matches, and that makes a big difference," said Pulido, who in 2005 led the Turlock Tornados youth team to the quarterfinals of the Copa Coca Cola at the Home Depot Center.
"I think one of the key reasons the Cougars folded was because the Stockton Arena was just too big to fill and make any money."
Pulido owns and operates the 13,000-square-foot Turlock Indoor Soccer facility that hosts at least 180 amateur teams a week in various leagues. He also owns the pro shop, which means low overhead for equipment for the Express.
"We charge $10 per person to the matches, and the players themselves each sell 10 tickets," he said.
Flores, a 6-foot defender from Jalisco, sees that the community has adopted the Express as its own.
"This is a real good team. To this point, we have the results, so it shows the people we can play. The stands are full whenever we play at home," he said. "I know it's our first year in the pros, but I've been with the Express for four years total when we competed in the Premier Division,"
"People didn't expect us to do well because it's our first season in the pros, but we have a lot of talent," added Arturo Pulido Jr., a former midfielder at California State University, Stanislaus.
The PASL -- which was established in 2008 and has affiliations with the Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League and Liga Mexicana de Fútbol Rápido -- has a $3,000 salary cap for the players per game. Pulido's top pay is $300.
And with the full house at the home matches, a growing popularity and the possibility of making the playoffs, Pulido, Flores, Quiroz and many of the players are already looking forward to next season.
"Fans love it because it's faster, it's physical and very emotional," added Flores.
Turlock's next home match is Feb. 17 against Tijuana (4-4) at 7:35 p.m. There are six regular-season matches remaining. Three Western Division teams qualify for the postseason.
The Turlock Indoor Soccer facility is located at 500 S. Center Street in Turlock.
Details: (209) 634-5181.
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