Bakersfield Brigade
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| Bakersfield Brigade | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Bakersfield Brigade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nickname(s) | The Legion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Founded | 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ground | Bakersfield Christian HS Stadium (Capacity 4,422) |
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| Chairman |  Jeff Thorn |
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| Manager | Francisco Gomez |
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| League | USL Premier Development League | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | in progress | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Bakersfield Brigade are an American soccer team, founded in 2005. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, and plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference against teams from Calabasas, Costa Mesa, Fresno, Glendora, La Mirada, Lancaster, San Francisco, San Jose and Ventura.
They play their home games in the stadium on the campus of Bakersfield Christian High School in the city of Bakersfield, California. The team's colors are black, red and white.
The Brigade is coached by 8-year MLS veteran Francisco Gomez. Gomez was a member of the U-17 and U-20 US national team, and played in the 2000 MLS Cup game for Kansas City Wizards.
Former US national team star and ESPN broadcaster Eric Wynalda is a current member of the Brigade squad.
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[edit] 2008 Roster
as at June 7, 2008
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[edit] Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
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| 2005 | 4 | USL PDL | 5th, Southwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2006 | 4 | USL PDL | 7th, Southwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2007 | 4 | USL PDL | 8th, Southwest | Did not qualify | 1st Round |
| 2008 | 4 | USL PDL | in progress | Did not qualify |
[edit] Competition History
The Brigade made their debut in PDL competition in 2005 under head coach Jay Gore, but lost their first competitive game 1-0 to the visiting California Gold. During their first season, Brigade were generally better on the road than they were at home, registering victories over San Diego, Nevada and Southern California Seahorses. Brigade missed out on qualifying for the post-season, finishing 5th in the division and ranked 32nd nationally, despite a comprehensive last-day victory over California Gold. Their season top scorer was CSU Bakersfield striker Lyle Martin, who notched up 5 goals.
2006 was a similar story. A strong season start saw the Brigade register victories over San Diego and Southern California Seahorses, but inconsistency at home in the mid-season again ended the team's playoff hopes fairly early, following five defeats in six games at their home home at Bakersfield Christian High School. Brigade finished the season in 7th place; Lyle Martin again led the team's offense, registering 9 goals and 2 assists.
2007 saw a change in leadership and a change in goalkeeper - Jay Gore was replaced by 8-year MLS veteran Francisco Gomez as head coach, USMNT legend Eric Wynalda came on board as an advisor, and shot-stopper Kyle Reynish was drafted by Real Salt Lake; early season, the Brigade's new team seemed to be working, with season-opening victories over Fresno Fuego and Orange County Blue Star bringing them a first ever US Open Cup qualification. Sadly, Brigade's cup dreams ended with a first round 2-0 defeat to USL-1 side Portland Timbers. Similarly, a late-season collapse ended Brigade's playoff hopes quickly - the team suffered six defeats in seven games, including a 5-0 demolition away to Los Angeles Storm, despite Wynalda taking to the field himself for 24 minutes in the Storm return fixture. Brigade finished the season in 8th place; top scorer Santiago Aguilera Navarro scored an impressive 8 goals and 5 assists.
[edit] Notable former players
- Desmond Brooks
- Lyle Martin
- Kyle Reynish
[edit] Coaches
- Jay Gore 2005-06
- Francisco Gomez 2007-date
[edit] Stadia
- Stadium at Bakersfield Christian High School, Bakersfield, California 2005-date
[edit] Average Attendance
- 2007: 806 (7th highest in PDL)
- 2006: 697 (10th highest in PDL)
- 2005: 434
[edit] External links
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