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2023 San Diego Loyal SC season

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San Diego Loyal SC
2023 season
OwnerAndrew Vassilanis
ManagerNate Miller
USL ChampionshipWestern Conference: 3rd
League Standings: 6th
USLC PlayoffsWestern Conference Quarterfinals
U.S. Open CupThird Round
Top goalscorerLeague: Ronaldo Damus (15)
All: Ronaldo Damus (15)
Highest home attendance5,671 (3 times)
Lowest home attendance3,214 (August 9, against Loudoun United FC)
Average home league attendance4,754
Biggest win5-0 (July 14, against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC)
Biggest defeat0-2 (Twice, against Oakland Roots SC and Charleston Battery)
← 2022

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.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Spain ESP Koke Vegas
2 FW United States USA Morgan Hackworth
3 DF United States USA Elijah Martin
4 DF Mexico MEX Carlos Guzmán
5 DF United States USA Grant Stoneman
6 MF England ENG Charlie Adams
7 MF United States USA Blake Bodily
8 FW Haiti HAI Ronaldo Damus
9 FW United States USA Evan Conway
10 MF United States USA Alejandro Guido
11 FW South Africa RSA Tumi Moshobane
13 DF United States USA Camden Riley
14 FW United States USA Adrien Pérez
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF United States USA Joe Corona
16 DF Tanzania TAN Jackson Kasanzu
17 MF United States USA Collin Martin
18 FW New Zealand NZL Elliot Collier
20 MF United States USA Nick Moon
21 DF Ghana GHA Ebenezer Ackon
23 DF Israel ISR Michael Chilaka
30 MF United States USA Simon Sagal
50 MF United States USA Xavi Gnaulati
60 GK United States USA Duran Ferree
61 MF United States USA Isaiahs Gutierrez
63 GK Mexico MEX Christian Velasco
70 MF United States USA Jake Basinet

Competitions

[edit]

USL Championship

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Main article: 2023 USL Championship season
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
Source: USL Championship Standings
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 Yellow card 28'
Kasanzu 42'
Ackon Yellow card 66'		 Report Carroll Yellow card 54'
Matthews Yellow card 59'		 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 41'
Cicerone Yellow card 61'
Lopez Yellow card 67'
Donovan Yellow card 80'		 Report Martin Yellow card 26'
Kasanze Yellow card 34'
Bodily Yellow card 40'
Collier Yellow card 69'
Guido Yellow card 75'		 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 63'
Fernandez 90+4' (o.g.)		 Report Dyer Yellow card 60'
Corrales Yellow card 62'
da Costa 65'		 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 9'
Moreno Yellow card 29'
Swartz Yellow card 33'
Rivas Yellow card 45'+1'
Yearwood Yellow card 57'		 Report Martin Yellow card 11'
Conway 45'+1'
Damus Yellow card 68'
Stoneman Yellow card 90'+5'		 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 42' Report Dennis Yellow card 89' 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 Yellow card 7'
Guido Yellow card 45'
Perez Yellow card 60'
Moshobane 61'		 Report Calvillo Yellow card 9'
Zacarías 13'
Clarhaut Yellow card 23'
Pávkovics Yellow card 56'
Kostyshyn 65'
Borelli Yellow card 82'
Lyons Yellow card 88'
Herrera Yellow card 90+6'		 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 Yellow card 18'
Iloski Yellow card 59'
Richards Yellow card 59'
Partida Yellow card 60'
Doghman Yellow card 80'
McNulty Yellow card 86'
Powers Yellow card 86'
Casiple Yellow card 89'
Osundina 90'+6'		 Report Moshobane 15'
Corona 19' (pen.) Yellow card 49'
Moon Yellow card 59' Yellow-red card 90'+5'
Riley Yellow card 81'		 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 35'
Adams Yellow card 61'
Corona 90+3' (pen.)		 Report Ricketts Yellow card 19'
Coronado 26'
François 31'
Ruiz 39'
Davila Yellow card 90+5'		 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 7' Yellow card 20'
Hackshaw Yellow card 35'
Klimenta Yellow card 64'
Peláez 90'+5'		 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 3', Yellow card 12' Yellow-red card 20'
Zouhir 5', Yellow card 39'
Taintor 16', Yellow card 70'
Abu Yellow card 85'
Hayes Yellow card 90+2'		 Report Moon Yellow card 22' Yellow-red card 90+6'
Stoneman Yellow card 45+1'
Damus 75', 90+5'
Conway 79'		 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 69' (pen.)
Guido Yellow card 79'
Adams Yellow card 90'+4'		 Report Viader 29'
López Yellow card 39'
Donovan Yellow card 67'
Keko Yellow card 90'+2'		 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 10'
Miller Yellow card 54'
Riley Yellow card 66'
Pérez 73'
Moshobane Yellow card 74'		 Report Taintor Yellow card 45'
Adeniran 47' (pen.)
Manley 67'
Batista Yellow card 83'
Marcina Yellow card 88'		 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 68'
Griffin Yellow card 75'
Osumanu 90'+1'		 Report Riley Yellow card 13'
Perez 42'
Martin Yellow card 64'
Adams Yellow card 90'		 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 Yellow card 7'
King Yellow card 14'
Diz Pe Yellow card 57'
Rissi Red card 58'
Quinn 66' 82' (pen.)
Lindley Yellow card 90'+12'		 Report Adams 32'
Perez Yellow card 39'
Conway 54'
Damus Yellow card 74'
Martin Yellow card 89'		 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
  • Edwards Yellow card 67'
  • Lapert Yellow card 84'
 Report
  • Perez Yellow card 12'
  • Conway 18'
  • Martin Yellow card 26'
  • Conway Yellow card 28'
  • Conway 61'
  • Riley Yellow card 90+3'
 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 Red card 15'
Beckford Yellow card 20'
Mahoney Yellow card 21'
Echevarria Yellow card 88'
Wheeler Yellow card 90'+1'		 Report Perez 1'
Bodily 9', 30'
Stoneman Yellow card 18'
Martin Yellow card 40'
Conway Yellow card 41'
Moshobane 45'+3'
Riley Yellow card 67'
Collier 70'
Corona Yellow card 79'		 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 41'
Riley Yellow card 45'
Moshobane Yellow card 67'
Guido Yellow card 90'
Damus 90'+2'		 Report Musa Yellow card 16'
Agren Yellow card 89'
Echevarria Yellow card 90'+5'		 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 8'
Martin Yellow card 35'
Stoneman Yellow card 50'
Damus Yellow card 59'		 Report Casiple Yellow card 45'+1'
Scott Yellow card 49'
Amang 52', 78', Yellow card 53'
Iloski Yellow card 60'
Shutler Yellow card 85'
Osundina 90'+5'		 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 Yellow card 7'
Stoneman Yellow card 83'
Bodily 86'
Conway 90'		 Report Landry Yellow card 20'
Garay Yellow card 28'
Turner Yellow card 40'
ElMedkhar 56'
Fauroux Yellow card 86'
Rocha Yellow card 85'		 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 soccer ball with red X 7
Conway Yellow card 17'
Martin Yellow card 61'
Adams Yellow card 90'+2'		 Report da Costa 23'
Molloy Yellow card 44'
Smith Yellow card 84'		 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 4'
Guido Yellow card 27'
Moshobane 55'
Stoneman Yellow card 90'+2'
Kasanze Yellow card 90'+8'		 Report Colonna 9'
Rivas Yellow card 41'
Swartz Yellow card 53'
Ryden Yellow card 88'
Moreno 90'+1'		 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 Yellow card 38'
Ricketts 49'
Pinzón 73' (pen.)		 Report Adams Yellow card 16'
Damus 32'
Moshobane 34', 77'
Guzmán Yellow card 55'
Corona Yellow card 84'
Conway Yellow card 90+4'		 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 45'+1', 47'
Ycaza Yellow card 45'+3'
Dodson Yellow card 70'		 Report Stoneman Yellow card 66'
Damus Yellow card 71'
Guzmán Yellow card 76'		 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 5'
Charpie Yellow card 22'
Gibson Yellow card 73'
Serrano Yellow card 75'
Perez Yellow card 87'		 Report Conway Yellow card 78' 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 27'
Guido Yellow card 62'
Guzmán Yellow card 89'		 Report Rios 16'
Jiménez Yellow card 39'		 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 17'
Damus 19', 25' Yellow card 90'+2'
Adrien Perez Yellow card 28' 44'
Guido Yellow card 84'		 Report Tamacas 13'
Donasiyano Yellow card 46'
Klimenta 82'		 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 Yellow card 45'+2'
Mitrano Yellow card 85'
Zali Yellow card 90'+4'		 Report Riley Yellow card 45'
Moshobane 56'
Perez 85'		 Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Alex Billeter

USL Cup Playoffs

[edit]
Main article: 2023 USL Championship Playoffs
October 22, 2023 (2023-10-22) 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]
Main article: 2023 U.S. Open Cup
April 5 Second Round San Diego Loyal SC (USLC) California 2–0California Albion San Diego (NISA)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) Washington (state) 5–4California San Diego Loyal SC (USLC)Tukwila, Washington
7:00 PM PDT
Report
Stadium: Starfire Sports
Attendance: 3,728
Referee: Cristian Campo Hernández

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "'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.
  3. ^ Murphy, Kate (Oct 20, 2023). "San Diego Loyal chases USL championship in its final season". Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  4. ^ City News Service (2023-10-23). "San Diego Loyal ends four-season run with overtime playoff loss". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  5. ^ Krasovic, Tom (2022-12-02). "Landon Donovan is no longer SD Loyal's coach". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ USLChampionship Staff (2023-08-24). "USL to Transfer San Diego Franchise Rights". USL Championship. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  16. ^ Rueter, Jeff. "San Diego Loyal folding after 2023 USL season". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  17. ^ Zeigler, Mark (2023-10-08). "Loyal beat longtime nemesis, secure home playoff game". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ Sarabia, Steven (2023-11-17). "Phoenix Rising celebrates their 2023 USL Championship with fans at CityScape". Arizona Family. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  21. ^ "Roster". Orange County Soccer Club. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  22. ^ USLChampionship Staff (2023-01-09). "USL Championship Unveils 2023 Regular Season Schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
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