The San Diego Loyal SC remains on top of the reformatted USL Championship Group B standings following last Saturday’s scoreless draw against the Sacramento Republic FC at Torero Stadium.
The nil-nil deadlock advanced the Loyal’s 2020 season record to three wins, one loss and two ties for 11 standings points. The Loyal leads Phoenix Rising (3-1-1) by one standings points and is two standings points ahead of the LA Galaxy II (3-1-0). Orange County FC (3-2-1) and the Las Vegas Lights (0-2-1) bring up the rear in the five-team division.
The top two teams in the division standings qualify for the postseason playoffs.
The Loyal controlled possession for most of the match, creating a handful of dangerous plays, but could not find the final touch to find the back of the net. The hosts put on some pressure late in the first half.
Sacramento Republic FC goalkeeper Rafael Diaz, playing from his knees, blocked a shot by Jack Metcalf from inside the penalty box in the 44th minute; Diaz made a diving save on a low left-footted roller by Tumi Moshobane a minute later.
The Republic (1-1-3, six points in Group A) created a several scoring chances. Loyal goalkeeper Jon Kempin made a point-blank save in the 29th minute on a quick header by Cam Iwasa while Sam Werner sent a header just wide of the left post in the 50th minute off a cross by Kharlton Belmar.
“I thought we played really well, actually. for most of the game, there were a few moments when we broke down defensively but in those moments we defended really well,” Loyal manager Landon Donovan said. “I think our only fault tonight was not creating better chances and getting into good spots. I think we had the game under control where we wanted it to be and we need to be better now at creating more chances.
“I focus on performance and obviously, we want to win but our performance was really good for a large part of the game, so, you can live with a point. At the end of it, we defended very well and we are still building and progressing and we’re getting to where we want to be. We’re not there and we are working to get there every week.”
The Loyal was scheduled to play at the LA Galaxy II on July 29 but the match was postponed after covered individuals scheduled to be involved in the match tested positive for COVID-19, as part of weekly routine testing.
The Loyal is scheduled to play a road match at the Las Vegas Lights on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Cashman Field in a Group B match.
This will be the third time in seven games the teams have met on the season.
“We played them twice now, so, we know them very well,” Donovan said. “It will be a very good game. The first time that they came here, I thought they were a much better team. We were not that night in March. And then our game last weekend, I thought we were pretty good, so we need to build on that performance and tonight could have been better.
“But obviously, is going to be difficult because the heat is a challenge. This will be the first time traveling this far by bus and we got to make sure we are going with all that in stride and make the best out of it. We’ve been excellent on the road this year and I expect the same thing.”
Local locos
The San Diego Loyal’s Wednesday matches on its revised 2020 season schedule will broadcast locally on KSWB-TV FOX 5 San Diego, along with ESPN+.
Select matches determined by the USL Championship will broadcast nationally on ESPN networks.
Three matches remain on FOX 5 San Diego’s broadcast schedule:
•Aug.12 home vs. Orange County SC at 7 p.m.
•Sept. 9 away at LA Galaxy II at 7 p.m.
•Sept. 30 home vs. Phoenix Rising at 5 p.m.
For more information on the Loyal’s revised 2020 schedule, visit sdloyal.com.
Team of the week
Loyal defender Grant Stoneman and forward Francis Atuahene were both included on the USL Championship’s Team of the Week for Week 3.
Stoneman recorded his first goal in the USL Championship, and was solid on the back line, completing 90 of 97 passes, winning three of four duels and registering two clearances as the Loyal defeated Real Monarchs SLC July 11 on the road.
Atuahene scored both goals on four shots as the Loyal claimed its first victory in club history in the lone game of Week 2 on March 11 against Tacoma Defiance prior to the season suspension.
San Diego 1904 FC elects to forgo NISA fall season
San Diego 1904 FC has elected to forgo the upcoming National Independent Soccer Association fall season in order to concentrate on the 2021 spring season.
The NISA’s fall season was scheduled to start in early September for the league’s Western Conference teams.
The San Diego team, a founding member of the league, participated in the inaugural NISA Fall Showcase in 2019.
“We understand that this is a decision that will disappoint many, but it’s something we must do for the long-term viability of the club,” said Alex Gontran, manager and co-founder of 1904 FC, in a team statement.
“COVID-19, like for many other teams and businesses, has impacted us greatly. Playing during the pandemic, behind closed doors, creates a significant financial burden to the club and we need to spend our resources wisely.
“Our plan for the fall is to continue with the vision of the club, which is to find the best young local footballers, develop them and get them ready for Europe. Last season, we were NISA’s youngest team with an average age of 22 and close to 70 percent of the players from San Diego.
“We want to play, but it’s difficult right now. Our goal this fall will be to continue to scout and give local players an opportunity to play at the next level. A handful of professional contracts will be available this spring and we plan to sign San Diego players to the pro team.”
1904 FC played just two games during the NISA’s 2020 spring season before the league suspended play due to the pandemic.
Gontran said the team is determined to remain a part of the greater San Diego community.
“From the beginning, this club has felt unconditional love from this city,” he said. “In San Diego, football is king. There are players. There are supporters. There is love for the game.
Being able to play in front of (fans) for the first-time last fall was a blessing and only the beginning. We want to thank you for being at the center of shaping the club’s culture and history.”
The NISA continues to grow with the recent addition of the UPSL champion Maryland Bobcats.
Surf Cup postponed to September as youth soccer schedule pushed back
The effort to bring youth sports in San Diego County back to the competition level continues but progress remains slow going during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
As with youth baseball, youth soccer has returned to the practice field this summer but no actual games are still allowed to be played.
The situation continues to be monitored amid the fluidity of these uncertain times.
Schedules continue to be amended.
The Surf Cup, which aspires to bring the best teams in the world together each year, has announced a postponement of this year’s tournament to September.
Younger teams (birth years 2007-13) are now scheduled to play Sept. 19-20, followed by older teams (birth years 2002-06) Sept. 25-27.
The younger division tournament, which is scheduled at the Surf Sports Park in Del Mar, carries a three-game guarantee.
Showcase games in the older divisions carry a three-game guarantee. Boys matches are scheduled at the SoCal Sports Complex in Oceanside; girls matches are scheduled at the Surf Sports Park in Del Mar.
The mega-tournament, which has been in place for more than 30 years and serves as a platform for top tier college recruiting, also will hold additional events.
The Surf College Cup is scheduled Nov. 27-29 for age groups 2001-06 at the Surf Sports Park (girls) and SoCal Sports Complex (boys) and a new 2007-08 age group at Ryan Park and 4S Ranch (semifinals and finals at the Surf Sports Park).
The Surf Jr. College Cup is scheduled Dec. 5-6 at Surf Sports Park for age groups 2009-13.
The Surf Challenge takes the soccer schedule into 2021 with games Jan. 16-18 at Surf Sports Park for age groups 2007-13.
“Despite COVID-19, the demand for Surf Cup in 2020 has never wavered,” tournament directors explained in a press release. “We believe it is our responsibility and our number one priority to service our soccer community and in doing so we must remain flexible. This is an unusual move for us, but this is also an unusual period of time.”
The Surf Cup has generated some impressive numbers with an annual economic impact of $120 million, $7 million in charitable contributions, 200,000 youth participants, 1,500 college coaches and scouts, 490,000 attendees per year and 155,000 hotel rooms booked.
Still kicking
Additionally, the Nexen Manchester City Cup tournament has been moved to Labor Day Weekend. Sept. 5-7, to accommodate teams after the original Memorial Day Weekend dates had to be rescheduled.
Age groups in the youth showcase event include 2002-13 birth years (U8-19).
The tournament announced it will return to its original Memorial Day Weekend dates in 2021.
Due to the rescheduled dates, teams will be playing based on 2020/2021 age groups that will allow players on teams in September to qualify for the same team in May 2021.
“The health and safety of the players, coaches and families are our top priority and at this time we encourage everyone to stay safe and stay home, thus the decision to reschedule the event,” Surf Cup Sports tournament director Michelle Chesters explained. “While we all were looking forward to hosting this year’s event over Memorial weekend, the decision to move the event to Labor Day was the right decision. We look forward to hosting the event with Manchester City FC over Labor Day weekend and seeing all the teams back on the pitch soon.”
For more information, visit the website at mancitycup.com.
