Wikipedia

2023 San Diego Loyal SC season

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.

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

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

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During the offseason, the Loyal experienced a coaching change when coach Landon Donovan made the move to the front office. He was later 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

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

Competitions

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USL Championship

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Regular season

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Main article: 2023 USL Championship season
Standings
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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
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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
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On January 9, 2023, the USL Championship staff released the schedule for all 24 teams.[22]

All times are in Pacific Time.

March
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March 11 1 San Diego Loyal SC 1–0 Detroit City FC San Diego, California
8:00 PM Conway   28'
Kasanzu   42'
Ackon   66'		 Report Carroll   54'
Matthews   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   61'
Lopez   67'
Donovan   80'		 Report Martin   26'
Kasanze   34'
Bodily   40'
Collier   69'
Guido   75'		 Stadium: Heart Health Park
Attendance: 9,088
Referee: Malik Badawi
April
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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   60'
Corrales   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   29'
Swartz   33'
Rivas   45'+1'
Yearwood   57'		 Report Martin   11'
Conway   45'+1'
Damus   68'
Stoneman   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   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   7'
Guido   45'
Perez   60'
Moshobane   61'		 Report Calvillo   9'
Zacarías   13'
Clarhaut   23'
Pávkovics   56'
Kostyshyn   65'
Borelli   82'
Lyons   88'
Herrera   90+6'		 Stadium: Torero Stadium
Attendance: 4,414
Referee: Katja Koroleva
May
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May 6 9 Orange County SC 1-2 San Diego Loyal Irvine, California
7:00 PM Villanueva   18'
Iloski   59'
Richards   59'
Partida   60'
Doghman   80'
McNulty   86'
Powers   86'
Casiple   89'
Osundina   90'+6'		 Report Moshobane   15'
Corona   19' (pen.)   49'
Moon   59'   90'+5'
Riley   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   61'
Corona   90+3' (pen.)		 Report Ricketts   19'
Coronado   26'
François   31'
Ruiz   39'
Davila   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'   20'
Hackshaw   35'
Klimenta   64'
Peláez   90'+5'		 Report Stadium: Pioneer Stadium
Attendance: 3,584
Referee: Calin Radosav
June
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June 3 13 San Antonio FC 3–3 San Diego Loyal SC San Antonio, Texas
7:00 PM Oluwaseyi   3',   12'   20'
Zouhir   5',   39'
Taintor   16',   70'
Abu   85'
Hayes   90+2'		 Report Moon   22'   90+6'
Stoneman   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   79'
Adams   90'+4'		 Report Viader   29'
López   39'
Donovan   67'
Keko   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   54'
Riley   66'
Pérez   73'
Moshobane   74'		 Report Taintor   45'
Adeniran   47' (pen.)
Manley   67'
Batista   83'
Marcina   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   75'
Osumanu   90'+1'		 Report Riley   13'
Perez   42'
Martin   64'
Adams   90'		 Stadium: Highmark Stadium
Attendance: 6,107
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
July
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July 1 17 Indy Eleven 2–2 San Diego Loyal SC Indianapolis, Indiana
3:55 PM Dambrot   7'
King   14'
Diz Pe   57'
Rissi   58'
Quinn   66'   82' (pen.)
Lindley   90'+12'		 Report Adams   32'
Perez   39'
Conway   54'
Damus   74'
Martin   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   67'
  • Lapert   84'
 Report
  • Perez   12'
  • Conway   18'
  • Martin   26'
  • Conway   28'
  • Conway   61'
  • Riley   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   15'
Beckford   20'
Mahoney   21'
Echevarria   88'
Wheeler   90'+1'		 Report Perez   1'
Bodily   9', 30'
Stoneman   18'
Martin   40'
Conway   41'
Moshobane   45'+3'
Riley   67'
Collier   70'
Corona   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   45'
Moshobane   67'
Guido   90'
Damus   90'+2'		 Report Musa   16'
Agren   89'
Echevarria   90'+5'		 Stadium: Torero Stadium
Attendance: 5,057
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
August
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August 5 21 San Diego Loyal 1-3 Orange County SC San Diego, California
7:00 PM Conway   8'
Martin   35'
Stoneman   50'
Damus   59'		 Report Casiple   45'+1'
Scott   49'
Amang   52',   78',   53'
Iloski   60'
Shutler   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   7'
Stoneman   83'
Bodily   86'
Conway   90'		 Report Landry   20'
Garay   28'
Turner   40'
ElMedkhar   56'
Fauroux   86'
Rocha   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   7
Conway   17'
Martin   61'
Adams   90'+2'		 Report da Costa   23'
Molloy   44'
Smith   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   27'
Moshobane   55'
Stoneman   90'+2'
Kasanze   90'+8'		 Report Colonna   9'
Rivas   41'
Swartz   53'
Ryden   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   38'
Ricketts   49'
Pinzón   73' (pen.)		 Report Adams   16'
Damus   32'
Moshobane   34', 77'
Guzmán   55'
Corona   84'
Conway   90+4'		 Stadium: H-E-B Park
Attendance: 3,006
Referee: Natalie Simon
September
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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   45'+3'
Dodson   70'		 Report Stoneman   66'
Damus   71'
Guzmán   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   22'
Gibson   73'
Serrano   75'
Perez   87'		 Report Conway   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   62'
Guzmán   89'		 Report Rios   16'
Jiménez   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
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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'   90'+2'
Adrien Perez   28'   44'
Guido   84'		 Report Tamacas   13'
Donasiyano   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   45'+2'
Mitrano   85'
Zali   90'+4'		 Report Riley   45'
Moshobane   56'
Perez   85'		 Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Alex Billeter

USL Cup Playoffs

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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

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Main article: 2023 U.S. Open Cup
April 5 Second Round San Diego Loyal SC (USLC)   2–0  Albion San Diego (NISA)San Diego, California
7:00 PM PDT
Report
  • Mitchell   25'
  • Gboe   74'
  • Patti   90'+2'
 Stadium: SDSU Sports Deck
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Ricardo Fierro
April 26 Third Round Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)   5–4  San Diego Loyal SC (USLC)Tukwila, Washington
7:00 PM PDT
Report
Stadium: Starfire Sports
Attendance: 3,728
Referee: Cristian Campo Hernández

References

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  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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