San Diego Gauchos
Encyclopedia
San Diego Gauchos were an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues
Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, until 2006, when the team was sold to new owners, and the franchise was disbanded.
The Gauchos played their home games at Torero Stadium
on the grounds of the University of San Diego
in the city of San Diego, California
. The team's colors were blue, white and yellow.
, 19 July 2006
San Diego joined the USL D-3 Pro League as an expansion franchise in 2002 and enjoyed a very successful first year in competition, finishing the regular season with a 10-7-3 record, second in the Western Conference behind Utah Blitzz
, and into the post season at the first attempt. The Gauchos also made a brief foray into the US Open Cup, beating USASA
amateur side Mexico SC 2-0 in the first round before losing heavily to A-League
mainstays Minnesota Thunder
6-1 in the second round. The Gauchos defeated the Arizona Sahuaros
3-0 in the first round of the playoffs, before falling 1-0 to Utah in the quarter finals. Nevertheless it was a very promising first season; future MLS star Herculez Gomez
was the Gauchos' top scorer, with 17 goals, while goalkeeper Daniel Sirota posted an impressive 1.36 GAA average.
Despite having finished 2002 on a high, 2003 was a difficult season for the Gauchos, who slumped to a 3-13-1 record, and finished dead last in the Western Conference. Their only wins came over California Gold
, 3-2 on the opening day of the season; Nevada Wonders
, a sluggish 1-0 home victory in June; and over Gold again, a 2-0 win in mid-July off goals from Kristofer Larsen and Akbar Zareh-Mendez. The majority of the rest of the season was a struggle; they lost often to non-conference opponents, and even found makeup games against lower-division teams trying. They lost 3-0 to Fresno Fuego
at home in mid May, were hammered 4-0 by Utah Blitzz
, received five of the best from Western Mass Pioneers
on the road in June, and received a 5-1 shellacking from an Orange County Blue Star
team that boasted Jurgen Klinsmann
and future MLS star Robbie Rogers
in their starting eleven.
The Gauchos rallied considerably in 2004, finishing the year in second place, with a much-improved 9-9-2 record, and into the post-season for the second time. They won their opening game of the season, 2-1 over BYU Cougars, and recorded an astonishing 3-2 victory over Orange County Blue Star
in June, coming back from 2 goals down to take the win on a Herculez Gomez
hat trick, despite both teams having been reduced to nine men by full time! In the same vein, they also won a heart-stopping 3-2 classic against the Southern California Seahorses
, with Herculez scoring in injury time. The Gauchos still occasionally found themselves on the receiving end of a large scoreline: they lost 5-2 to Fresno Fuego
in their second regular season game, were battered 6-2 by Utah Blitzz
at home in May, and surprisingly lost 5-1 to the Seahorses in the return fixture of their cross-league makeup series. The Gauchos also made their second trip to the US Open Cup this year, but unexpectedly lost to PDL side Boulder Rapids Reserve
in the second round 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 tie in regulation time. Herculez Gomez
was by far the Gauchos best player, scoring 14 goals for the season.
Despite the better on-field performances, during the 2004 off-season the team's management made the decision to self-relegate themselves to the USL Premier Development League
for 2005.
in July - and then had the ignominy of having points deducted by the league for fielding an ineligible player, meaning they finished the season dead last in the West with just 2 points, 12 points behind the next-worst team, California Gold
. Some of the Gaucho's defeats were blowouts: they lost 4-0 to BYU Cougars in May, lost 6-2 at home to the all-conquering Orange County Blue Star
in June, and dropped 3 on the road at the Southern California Seahorses
. They were also involved in two consecutive 3-3 ties with California Gold
and Bakersfield Brigade
, the latter of which saw the Gauchos concede a demoralizing 87th minute equalizer. Dustin Hammond was the Gauchos top scorer for the season, with 5 goals, while Oscar Espinoza contributed 2 assists
2006 saw a general improvement in the Gauchos' play. They began the year disappointingly, with three straight heavy defeats, conceding five goals to Fresno Fuego
on the opening day, and conceding another four when Fresno came down for the return fixture two weeks later. However, they enjoyed a brief run of form in late May and early July, rattling off two wins and a tie, including a satisfying 3-1 win over California Gold
that included a Isaias Bardales hat trick. Gold were the Gauchos' whipping boys in 06, with the San Diego team winning 2-0 and 6-0 in their other encounters, the latter of which featured a Dustin Guerrero hat trick and a brace from Dagoberto Nogales-Gallegos. Unfortunately for the Gauchos, the run down the home stretch saw them suffer five straight defeats, including an astonishing 7-4 loss at home to the San Fernando Valley Quakes
. The Gauchos finished the year 8th in the Southwest Division, 20 points behind divisional champions Southern California Seahorses
. Dustin Guerrero was the Gauchos' top scorer, with 5 goals.
Following the conclusion of the 2007 season the Gauchos were sold to new owners, who decided to dispense with the men's soccer team, and concentrate their efforts on their USL W-League
franchise, the San Diego Gauchos Women, which was to be re-branded as the San Diego Sunwaves
.
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, until 2006, when the team was sold to new owners, and the franchise was disbanded.
The Gauchos played their home games at Torero Stadium
Torero Stadium
The Torero Stadium is a 6,000-seat stadium in San Diego, California that is primarily used for soccer and American football. It was built in 1961...
on the grounds of the University of San Diego
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic university in San Diego, California. USD offers more than sixty bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs...
in the city of San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. The team's colors were blue, white and yellow.
Final Squad
vs Southern California SeahorsesSouthern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses is an American soccer team based in La Mirada, California, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home...
, 19 July 2006
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 2nd, Western | Quarterfinals | 2nd Round |
| 2003 | 3 | USL Pro Select League | 3rd, Western | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2004 | 3 | USL Pro Soccer League | 2nd, Western | Quarterfinals | 2nd Round |
| 2005 | 4 | USL PDL | 8th, Southwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2006 | 4 | USL PDL | 8th, Southwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
USL D-3 Pro League/Pro Select League
Utah Blitzz
Utah Blitzz was a professional soccer team in the USL Second Division. It withdrew following the 2004 season, after winning the championship.-Year-by-year:...
, and into the post season at the first attempt. The Gauchos also made a brief foray into the US Open Cup, beating USASA
USASA
The United States Adult Soccer Association is a national organization and sanctioning body for amateur soccer in the United States...
amateur side Mexico SC 2-0 in the first round before losing heavily to A-League
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
mainstays Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
6-1 in the second round. The Gauchos defeated the Arizona Sahuaros
Arizona Sahuaros
Arizona Sahuaros is an American soccer team based in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1989, the team is member of the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
3-0 in the first round of the playoffs, before falling 1-0 to Utah in the quarter finals. Nevertheless it was a very promising first season; future MLS star Herculez Gomez
Herculez Gomez
Herculez Gomez Hurtado is an American soccer player who currently plays for Estudiantes Tecos in the Primera División de México.-Early life:...
was the Gauchos' top scorer, with 17 goals, while goalkeeper Daniel Sirota posted an impressive 1.36 GAA average.
Despite having finished 2002 on a high, 2003 was a difficult season for the Gauchos, who slumped to a 3-13-1 record, and finished dead last in the Western Conference. Their only wins came over California Gold
California Gold
Not to be confused with the television series California's GoldCalifornia Gold was an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and...
, 3-2 on the opening day of the season; Nevada Wonders
Nevada Wonders
Nevada Wonders were an American soccer team, founded in 2003. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2005, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.They played their home games in...
, a sluggish 1-0 home victory in June; and over Gold again, a 2-0 win in mid-July off goals from Kristofer Larsen and Akbar Zareh-Mendez. The majority of the rest of the season was a struggle; they lost often to non-conference opponents, and even found makeup games against lower-division teams trying. They lost 3-0 to Fresno Fuego
Fresno Fuego
Fresno Fuego is an American soccer team based in Fresno, California, United States. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at Chukchansi...
at home in mid May, were hammered 4-0 by Utah Blitzz
Utah Blitzz
Utah Blitzz was a professional soccer team in the USL Second Division. It withdrew following the 2004 season, after winning the championship.-Year-by-year:...
, received five of the best from Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers is an American soccer team based in Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
on the road in June, and received a 5-1 shellacking from an Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
team that boasted Jurgen Klinsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann is a German football manager and former player who is currently the coach of the United States Men's National Team. As a player, Klinsmann played for several prominent clubs in Europe and was part of the West German team that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the German one that...
and future MLS star Robbie Rogers
Robbie Rogers
Robbie Rogers is an American soccer player who currently plays for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer and the United States men's national soccer team.-Youth and College:...
in their starting eleven.
The Gauchos rallied considerably in 2004, finishing the year in second place, with a much-improved 9-9-2 record, and into the post-season for the second time. They won their opening game of the season, 2-1 over BYU Cougars, and recorded an astonishing 3-2 victory over Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
in June, coming back from 2 goals down to take the win on a Herculez Gomez
Herculez Gomez
Herculez Gomez Hurtado is an American soccer player who currently plays for Estudiantes Tecos in the Primera División de México.-Early life:...
hat trick, despite both teams having been reduced to nine men by full time! In the same vein, they also won a heart-stopping 3-2 classic against the Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses is an American soccer team based in La Mirada, California, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home...
, with Herculez scoring in injury time. The Gauchos still occasionally found themselves on the receiving end of a large scoreline: they lost 5-2 to Fresno Fuego
Fresno Fuego
Fresno Fuego is an American soccer team based in Fresno, California, United States. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at Chukchansi...
in their second regular season game, were battered 6-2 by Utah Blitzz
Utah Blitzz
Utah Blitzz was a professional soccer team in the USL Second Division. It withdrew following the 2004 season, after winning the championship.-Year-by-year:...
at home in May, and surprisingly lost 5-1 to the Seahorses in the return fixture of their cross-league makeup series. The Gauchos also made their second trip to the US Open Cup this year, but unexpectedly lost to PDL side Boulder Rapids Reserve
Boulder Rapids Reserve
Colorado Rapids U23's was an American soccer team based in Boulder, Colorado, United States. Founded in 2000 as part of the development system for the Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...
in the second round 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 tie in regulation time. Herculez Gomez
Herculez Gomez
Herculez Gomez Hurtado is an American soccer player who currently plays for Estudiantes Tecos in the Primera División de México.-Early life:...
was by far the Gauchos best player, scoring 14 goals for the season.
Despite the better on-field performances, during the 2004 off-season the team's management made the decision to self-relegate themselves to the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
for 2005.
USL Premier Development League
The Gauchos had a torrid time in the PDL in 2005. They won just one game all season - a 3-0 victory over Nevada WondersNevada Wonders
Nevada Wonders were an American soccer team, founded in 2003. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2005, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.They played their home games in...
in July - and then had the ignominy of having points deducted by the league for fielding an ineligible player, meaning they finished the season dead last in the West with just 2 points, 12 points behind the next-worst team, California Gold
California Gold
Not to be confused with the television series California's GoldCalifornia Gold was an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and...
. Some of the Gaucho's defeats were blowouts: they lost 4-0 to BYU Cougars in May, lost 6-2 at home to the all-conquering Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
in June, and dropped 3 on the road at the Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses is an American soccer team based in La Mirada, California, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home...
. They were also involved in two consecutive 3-3 ties with California Gold
California Gold
Not to be confused with the television series California's GoldCalifornia Gold was an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and...
and Bakersfield Brigade
Bakersfield Brigade
Bakersfield Brigade was an American soccer team based in Bakersfield, California, United States. Founded in 2005, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The...
, the latter of which saw the Gauchos concede a demoralizing 87th minute equalizer. Dustin Hammond was the Gauchos top scorer for the season, with 5 goals, while Oscar Espinoza contributed 2 assists
2006 saw a general improvement in the Gauchos' play. They began the year disappointingly, with three straight heavy defeats, conceding five goals to Fresno Fuego
Fresno Fuego
Fresno Fuego is an American soccer team based in Fresno, California, United States. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at Chukchansi...
on the opening day, and conceding another four when Fresno came down for the return fixture two weeks later. However, they enjoyed a brief run of form in late May and early July, rattling off two wins and a tie, including a satisfying 3-1 win over California Gold
California Gold
Not to be confused with the television series California's GoldCalifornia Gold was an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and...
that included a Isaias Bardales hat trick. Gold were the Gauchos' whipping boys in 06, with the San Diego team winning 2-0 and 6-0 in their other encounters, the latter of which featured a Dustin Guerrero hat trick and a brace from Dagoberto Nogales-Gallegos. Unfortunately for the Gauchos, the run down the home stretch saw them suffer five straight defeats, including an astonishing 7-4 loss at home to the San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
. The Gauchos finished the year 8th in the Southwest Division, 20 points behind divisional champions Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses is an American soccer team based in La Mirada, California, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home...
. Dustin Guerrero was the Gauchos' top scorer, with 5 goals.
Following the conclusion of the 2007 season the Gauchos were sold to new owners, who decided to dispense with the men's soccer team, and concentrate their efforts on their USL W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
franchise, the San Diego Gauchos Women, which was to be re-branded as the San Diego Sunwaves
San Diego Sunwaves
San Diego Sunwaves were an American women's soccer team, founded in 2005, which played in the USL W-League for three years, until 2007, when they left the league and the franchise was terminated....
.
Stadia
- Stadium at Southwest Senior High SchoolSouthwest Senior High SchoolSouthwest Senior High , in San Diego, California, United States, is a high school established in 1975. Part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, it serves all socioeconomic communities of San Diego , as well as some students living in Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and San Ysidro. The school...
, San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
2003 - Stadium at Southwestern CollegeSouthwestern College (California)Southwestern College is a public, two-year community college located in the city of Chula Vista, California. Southwestern College's football stadium hosts Bonita Vista High School's football games...
, Chula Vista, CaliforniaChula Vista, CaliforniaChula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the seventh largest city in Southern California, the fourteenth largest city in the State of California, and the seventy seventh largest city in the U.S....
2004-05 - Balboa StadiumBalboa StadiumBalboa Stadium is a football and soccer stadium located in San Diego, California. The original stadium was built in 1914 as part of the many buildings erected for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition located in Balboa Park. Originally called City Stadium, and designed by the Quayle Brothers...
, San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
2004 (1 game) - Stadium at Sweetwater High SchoolSweetwater High School (National City, California)Sweetwater Union High School is a secondary school located in National City, California, United States. Established in 1921, it is one of the oldest high schools in San Diego County...
, National City, CaliforniaNational City, CaliforniaNational City is a city in San Diego County, California. The population was 58,582 at the 2010 census, up from 54,260 at the 2000 census. National City is the second oldest city in San Diego County and has a historic past.-History:...
2005 - Stadium at Torrey Pines High SchoolTorrey Pines High SchoolTorrey Pines High School is a high school in the North County Coastal area of San Diego, California. The school is named after the Torrey Pine tree that grows in the area...
, San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
2005 (1 game) - Torero StadiumTorero StadiumThe Torero Stadium is a 6,000-seat stadium in San Diego, California that is primarily used for soccer and American football. It was built in 1961...
, San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
2006 - Stadium at Otay Ranch High SchoolOtay Ranch High SchoolOtay Ranch High School is a high school established in 2003 with 97 classrooms. It is located in Chula Vista, California. Otay Ranch High School primarily serves the Chula Vista developments of Otay Ranch and Rancho Del Rey.-History:...
, Chula Vista, CaliforniaChula Vista, CaliforniaChula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the seventh largest city in Southern California, the fourteenth largest city in the State of California, and the seventy seventh largest city in the U.S....
2006 (2 games) - Stadium at Mar Vista Middle School, San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
2006 (1 game)