2023 San Diego Loyal SC season
2023 season | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Owner | Andrew Vassilanis | |||
Manager | Nate Miller | |||
USL Championship | Western Conference: 3rd League Standings: 6th | |||
USLC Playoffs | Western Conference Quarterfinals | |||
U.S. Open Cup | Third Round | |||
Top goalscorer | League: Ronaldo Damus (15) All: Ronaldo Damus (15) | |||
Highest home attendance | 5,671 (3 times) | |||
Lowest home attendance | 3,214 (August 9, against Loudoun United FC) | |||
Average home league attendance | 4,754 | |||
Biggest win | 5-0 (July 14, against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC) | |||
Biggest defeat | 0-2 (Twice, against Oakland Roots SC and Charleston Battery) | |||
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The 2023 San Diego Loyal SC season was San Diego Loyal SC's fourth, and last, season of existence and their fourth season in the USL Championship (USLC), the second division in the American soccer system.
After the announcement of a new MLS expansion franchise, called San Diego FC, the club announced they would cease operations at the end of the season, citing stadium struggles.[1] With supporter groups running with the catchphrase, "Bury Us With The Cup",[2][3] the Loyal would qualify for the USL Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference, and played in what would end up being their final match in the Western Conference Quarterfinals on October 22 at Torero Stadium, in a 4–3 loss in extra time to Phoenix Rising FC.[4]
Season summary
[edit]During the offseason, the Loyal experienced a coaching change when coach Landon Donovan made the move to the front office. He was latter replaced by Nate Miller.[5]
As a member of the USL Championship, the San Diego Loyal entered the U.S. Open Cup in the second round on April 5, matched up against third division club Albion San Diego, a member of the National Independent Soccer Association.[6] After winning 2–0 at home,[7][8] the Loyal would be matched up against the Seattle Sounders FC, a member of Major League Soccer, the highest division in soccer.[9][10] After forcing added extra time away in Washington with a stoppage time goal by defender Kyle Adams, the Loyal would eventually lose 5-4 via a stoppage time penalty kick goal by Sounders' forward Fredy Montero.[11][12][13]
On August 24, 2023, owner Andrew Vassilanis released a statement that he would shut down the team,[14] and the USL announced that it would transfer the franchise rights of the Loyal due to an inability to find a "viable near- and long-term stadium solution", with the 2023 season set to be the club's last.[15] The team had searched for a venue to replace Torero Stadium but were unable to find suitable facilities in San Diego County; a plan to relocate to Santa Barbara was also considered, but negotiations failed to produce a solution. The announcement came three months after Major League Soccer's newest expansion franchise, San Diego FC, was announced.[16]
The Loyal qualified for the USLC Playoffs with a 16-9-9 record, securing home advantage for the first round of the playoffs on October 8.[17] Despite winning home advantage, they played their final match in the Western Conference Quarterfinals on October 22 at Torero Stadium in a 4–3 extra time loss to Phoenix Rising FC,[18][19] who would eventually win the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs.[20]
Roster
[edit]- As of July 25, 2024[21]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Competitions
[edit]USL Championship
[edit]Regular season
[edit]Standings
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sacramento Republic FC | 34 | 18 | 6 | 10 | 51 | 26 | +25 | 64 | Playoffs |
2 | Orange County SC | 34 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 46 | 39 | +7 | 57 | |
3 | San Diego Loyal SC | 34 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 61 | 43 | +18 | 57 | |
4 | San Antonio FC | 34 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 63 | 38 | +25 | 56 | |
5 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | 34 | 16 | 13 | 5 | 49 | 42 | +7 | 53 |
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
Results summary
[edit]Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
34 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 61 | 43 | +18 | 57 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 32 | 20 | +12 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 23 | +6 |
Match results
[edit]On January 9, 2023, the USL Championship staff released the schedule for all 24 teams.[22]
All times are in Pacific Time.
March
[edit]March 11 1 | San Diego Loyal SC | 1–0 | Detroit City FC | San Diego, California |
8:00 PM | Conway ![]() Kasanzu ![]() Ackon ![]() | Report | Carroll ![]() Matthews ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 5,671 Referee: Ricardo Fierro |
March 19 2 | San Diego Loyal SC | 3–0 | Phoenix Rising FC | San Diego, California |
3:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 5,114 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
March 25 3 | Sacramento Republic FC | 1-0 | San Diego Loyal | Sacramento, California |
7:00 PM | Fernandes ![]() Cicerone ![]() Lopez ![]() Donovan ![]() | Report | Martin ![]() Kasanze ![]() Bodily ![]() Collier ![]() Guido ![]() | Stadium: Heart Health Park Attendance: 9,088 Referee: Malik Badawi |
April
[edit]April 1 4 | Phoenix Rising FC | 2–2 | San Diego Loyal SC | Phoenix, Arizona |
7:30 PM | Report | Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium Attendance: 10,437 Referee: Elton Garcia |
April 8 5 | San Diego Loyal | 2-1 | FC Tulsa | San Diego, California |
2:00 PM | Conway ![]() Fernandez ![]() | Report | Dyer ![]() Corrales ![]() da Costa ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 4,412 Referee: Corbyn May |
April 15 6 | New Mexico United | 1-1 | San Diego Loyal SC | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
6:00 PM | Hamilton ![]() Moreno ![]() Swartz ![]() Rivas ![]() Yearwood ![]() | Report | Martin ![]() Conway ![]() Damus ![]() Stoneman ![]() | Stadium: Isotopes Park Attendance: 11,233 Referee: Eric Tattersall |
April 23 7 | San Diego Loyal | 1-0 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | San Diego, California |
3:00 PM | Perez ![]() | Report | Dennis ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 4,814 Referee: Alexis Da Silva |
April 29 8 | San Diego Loyal SC | 1–2 | El Paso Locomotive FC | San Diego, California |
7:00 PM | Corona ![]() Guido ![]() Perez ![]() Moshobane ![]() | Report | Calvillo ![]() Zacarías ![]() Clarhaut ![]() Pávkovics ![]() Kostyshyn ![]() Borelli ![]() Lyons ![]() Herrera ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 4,414 Referee: Katja Koroleva |
May
[edit]May 6 9 | Orange County SC | 1-2 | San Diego Loyal | Irvine, California |
7:00 PM | Villanueva ![]() Iloski ![]() Richards ![]() Partida ![]() Doghman ![]() McNulty ![]() Powers ![]() Casiple ![]() Osundina ![]() | Report | Moshobane ![]() Corona ![]() ![]() Moon ![]() ![]() Riley ![]() | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 4,616 Referee: Elijio Arreguin |
May 13 10 | San Diego Loyal SC | 2–3 | Rio Grande Valley FC | San Diego, California |
7:00 PM | Perez ![]() Adams ![]() Corona ![]() | Report | Ricketts ![]() Coronado ![]() François ![]() Ruiz ![]() Davila ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 5,671 Referee: Brandon Stevis |
May 20 11 | Miami FC | 2–3 | San Diego Loyal SC | Miami, Florida |
4:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Riccardo Silva Stadium Attendance: 1,538 Referee: Melvin Rivas |
May 27 12 | Oakland Roots SC | 2–0 | San Diego Loyal SC | Hayward, California |
7:00 PM | Rodriguez ![]() ![]() Hackshaw ![]() Klimenta ![]() Peláez ![]() | Report | Stadium: Pioneer Stadium Attendance: 3,584 Referee: Calin Radosav |
June
[edit]June 3 13 | San Antonio FC | 3–3 | San Diego Loyal SC | San Antonio, Texas |
7:00 PM | Oluwaseyi ![]() ![]() ![]() Zouhir ![]() ![]() Taintor ![]() ![]() Abu ![]() Hayes ![]() | Report | Moon ![]() ![]() Stoneman ![]() Damus ![]() ![]() Conway ![]() | Stadium: Toyota Field Attendance: 7,043 Referee: Thomas Snyder |
Note: 225th USL league match |
June 9 14 | San Diego Loyal SC | 1-1 | Sacramento Republic FC | San Diego, California |
7:00 PM | Damus ![]() Guido ![]() Adams ![]() | Report | Viader ![]() López ![]() Donovan ![]() Keko ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 5,082 Referee: Corbyn May |
June 14 15 | San Diego Loyal SC | 2–2 | San Antonio FC | San Diego, California |
7:00 PM | Guido ![]() Miller ![]() Riley ![]() Pérez ![]() Moshobane ![]() | Report | Taintor ![]() Adeniran ![]() Manley ![]() Batista ![]() Marcina ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 4,217 Referee: Ricardo Fierro |
June 24 16 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 2–1 | San Diego Loyal SC | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
4:00 PM | Showunmi ![]() Griffin ![]() Osumanu ![]() | Report | Riley ![]() Perez ![]() Martin ![]() Adams ![]() | Stadium: Highmark Stadium Attendance: 6,107 Referee: Nabil Bensalah |
July
[edit]July 1 17 | Indy Eleven | 2–2 | San Diego Loyal SC | Indianapolis, Indiana |
3:55 PM | Dambrot ![]() King ![]() Diz Pe ![]() Rissi ![]() Quinn ![]() ![]() Lindley ![]() | Report | Adams ![]() Perez ![]() Conway ![]() Damus ![]() Martin ![]() | Stadium: Michael A. Carroll Stadium Attendance: 9,082 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
July 8 18 | Hartford Athletic | 0-2 | San Diego Loyal | Hartford, Connecticut |
4:00 PM |
| Report |
| Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 5500 Referee: Alexis Da Silva |
July 14 19 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | 0-5 | San Diego Loyal | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
6:00 PM | Williams ![]() Beckford ![]() Mahoney ![]() Echevarria ![]() Wheeler ![]() | Report | Perez ![]() Bodily ![]() Stoneman ![]() Martin ![]() Conway ![]() Moshobane ![]() Riley ![]() Collier ![]() Corona ![]() | Stadium: Weidner Field Attendance: 8,023 Referee: Eric Tattersall |
July 30 20 | San Diego Loyal | 2-0 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | San Diego, California |
3:00 PM | Corona ![]() Riley ![]() Moshobane ![]() Guido ![]() Damus ![]() | Report | Musa ![]() Agren ![]() Echevarria ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 5,057 Referee: Elijio Arreguin |
August
[edit]August 5 21 | San Diego Loyal | 1-3 | Orange County SC | San Diego, California |
7:00 PM | Conway ![]() Martin ![]() Stoneman ![]() Damus ![]() | Report | Casiple ![]() Scott ![]() Amang ![]() ![]() ![]() Iloski ![]() Shutler ![]() Osundina ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 4,217 Referee: Malik Badawi |
August 9 22 | San Diego Loyal | 2–1 | Loudoun United FC | San Diego, CA |
7:00 PM | Chilaka ![]() Stoneman ![]() Bodily ![]() Conway ![]() | Report | Landry ![]() Garay ![]() Turner ![]() ElMedkhar ![]() Fauroux ![]() Rocha ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 3,214 Referee: Brad Jensen |
Aug 12 23 | San Diego Loyal SC | 0-1 | Memphis 901 FC | San Diego, CA |
6:00 PM | Corona ![]() Conway ![]() Martin ![]() Adams ![]() | Report | da Costa ![]() Molloy ![]() Smith ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 4,524 Referee: Sergii Demianchuk |
Aug 19 24 | San Diego Loyal SC | 2-2 | Memphis 901 FC | San Diego, California |
6:30 PM | Perez ![]() Guido ![]() Moshobane ![]() Stoneman ![]() Kasanze ![]() | Report | Colonna ![]() Rivas ![]() Swartz ![]() Ryden ![]() Moreno ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 4,982 Referee: Abdou Ndiaye |
August 26 25 | Rio Grande Valley FC | 2–3 | San Diego Loyal SC | Edinburg, Texas |
5:00 PM | Nodarse ![]() Ricketts ![]() Pinzón ![]() | Report | Adams ![]() Damus ![]() Moshobane ![]() Guzmán ![]() Corona ![]() Conway ![]() | Stadium: H-E-B Park Attendance: 3,006 Referee: Natalie Simon |
September
[edit]September 3 26 | San Diego Loyal SC | 3–0 | Birmingham Legion | San Diego |
3:00 p.m. | Report | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 4,224 Referee: Joshua Encarnación |
September 9 27 | Charleston Battery | 2-0 | San Diego Loyal SC | Mount Pleasant, South Carolina |
4:30 PM | Trager ![]() Ycaza ![]() Dodson ![]() | Report | Stoneman ![]() Damus ![]() Guzmán ![]() | Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex Attendance: 3,691 Referee: Gerald Flores |
September 16 28 | Louisville City FC | 1-0 | San Diego Loyal SC | Louisville, Kentucky |
4:30 PM | Harris ![]() Charpie ![]() Gibson ![]() Serrano ![]() Perez ![]() | Report | Conway ![]() | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 11,121 Referee: Nabil Bensalah |
September 20 29 | Monterey Bay FC | 2–3 | San Diego Loyal SC | Seaside, California |
7:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Cardinale Stadium Attendance: 3,427 Referee: Melvin Rivas |
September 30 30 | San Diego Loyal SC | 1–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | San Diego, California |
7:00 PM | Perez ![]() Guido ![]() Guzmán ![]() | Report | Rios ![]() Jiménez ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 5,107 Referee: Deshun Beard |
September 30 31 | San Diego Loyal SC | 4–1 | Monterey Bay FC | San Diego, California |
7:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 5,671 Referee: Benjamin Meyer |
October
[edit]October 4 32 | El Paso Locomotive FC | 0–0 | San Diego Loyal SC | El Paso, Texas |
7:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Southwest University Park Attendance: 6,792 Referee: Gerald Flores |
October 7 33 | San Diego Loyal SC | 4–2 | Oakland Roots SC | San Diego, California |
7:00 PM | Corona ![]() Damus ![]() ![]() Adrien Perez ![]() ![]() Guido ![]() | Report | Tamacas ![]() Donasiyano ![]() Klimenta ![]() | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 5,671 Referee: Matthew Thompson |
October 14 34 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 0-2 | San Diego Loyal SC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:00 PM | Jiménez ![]() Mitrano ![]() Zali ![]() | Report | Riley ![]() Moshobane ![]() Perez ![]() | Stadium: Cashman Field Referee: Alex Billeter |
USL Cup Playoffs
[edit]October 22, 2023 Quarterfinals | San Diego Loyal SC | 3–4 (a.e.t.) | Phoenix Rising FC | San Diego, California |
7:30 pm PDT | Report | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 5,671 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic |
U.S. Open Cup
[edit]April 5 Second Round | San Diego Loyal SC (USLC) ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | San Diego, California |
7:00 PM PDT | Report | Stadium: SDSU Sports Deck Attendance: 1,200 Referee: Ricardo Fierro |
April 26 Third Round | Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) ![]() | 5–4 | ![]() | Tukwila, Washington |
7:00 PM PDT |
| Report | Stadium: Starfire Sports Attendance: 3,728 Referee: Cristian Campo Hernández |
References
[edit]- ^ Zeigler, Mark (2023-08-24). "San Diego Loyal to shut down; owner asks fans to 'celebrate and not mourn' pro soccer team over final games". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "'Bury Us With The Cup': San Diego Loyal eyes a first-ever championship in its bittersweet final days". ESPN.com. 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Murphy, Kate (Oct 20, 2023). "San Diego Loyal chases USL championship in its final season". Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ City News Service (2023-10-23). "San Diego Loyal ends four-season run with overtime playoff loss". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Krasovic, Tom (2022-12-02). "Landon Donovan is no longer SD Loyal's coach". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Trujillo, Hector (2023-04-04). "Albion's Diego Gomez ready for 2023, starting with US Open Cup against SD Loyal". SDNews.com. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Coakley, Amber (2023-04-06). "San Diego Loyal SC advances to third round of U.S. Open Cup". FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Medel, Mathias (2023-04-08). "2023 US Open Cup Round 2: San Diego Loyal wins second straight "Stay Clasico" vs. ALBION San Diego". thecup.us. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Finley, Ryan (2023-04-25). "San Diego Loyal SC will face a Major League Soccer powerhouse on Wednesday night; here's why". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Henry Jr., Larry (2023-04-24). "U.S. Open Cup Preview: Sounders host Loyal, Louisville visits FC Cincy, and more - SBI Soccer". sbisoccer.com. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Chott, Tyler (2023-04-30). "2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Seattle Sounders survive multiple comebacks by San Diego Loyal, win OT thriller". thecup.us. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Hamaker, Charles (April 26, 2023). "Montero makes magic as Sounders pull away vs Loyal in US Open Cup round three". Converge Media. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Evans, Jayda (2023-04-26). "Sounders escape San Diego Loyal SC for 5-4 win in US Open Cup play". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Wilson, Jonathan (2023-08-24). "Landon Donovan's San Diego Loyal to shut down after 2023 season". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ USLChampionship Staff (2023-08-24). "USL to Transfer San Diego Franchise Rights". USL Championship. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Rueter, Jeff. "San Diego Loyal folding after 2023 USL season". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Zeigler, Mark (2023-10-08). "Loyal beat longtime nemesis, secure home playoff game". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Zeigler, Mark (2023-10-23). "'Not how it was supposed to end': OT goal sinks Loyal's season, ends club's run in San Diego". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Wilson, Bernie (2023-10-23). "The sun sets on Landon Donovan's San Diego Loyal soccer club after heartbreaking OT loss". AP News. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Sarabia, Steven (2023-11-17). "Phoenix Rising celebrates their 2023 USL Championship with fans at CityScape". Arizona Family. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Roster". Orange County Soccer Club. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ USLChampionship Staff (2023-01-09). "USL Championship Unveils 2023 Regular Season Schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved 2024-07-26.