2019–20 California United Strikers FC season
Club's inaugural season in the National Independent Soccer Association
California United Strikers FC 2019–20 NISA soccer season
The 2019–20 California United Strikers FC season was the club's inaugural season in the National Independent Soccer Association , a newly established third division soccer league in the United States .
Overview
Since 2017, Cal United had attempted to join two professional leagues, the North American Soccer League and National Premier Soccer League's proposed professional league (beginning with the NPSL Founders Cup tournament), with neither effort taking form.[ 1] [ 2]
The Strikers finished the fall season in second place with a 2-3-1 (9 pts) record, clinching a spot in the West Coast Championship against LA Force .[ 3] [ 4] [ 5]
In early July 2019, prior to the NISA season kicking off, the team beat 30-time Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala champions C.S.D. Municipal , 3–1, in the latter's pre-season tour of the United States.[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9]
On April 27, 2020, following a stoppage of play and subsequent extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic , NISA announced the cancellation of the 2020 Spring season.[ 10] [ 11]
Players
As of March 1, 2020[ 12]
Staff
Transfers
In
#
Pos.
Player
Signed from
Details
Date
Source
18
MF
Kevin Jeon Orange County FC
Free transfer
August 2, 2019
[ 13] [ 14]
24
DF
Chris Klute California United FC II
Free transfer
August 2, 2019
[ 13] [ 15]
11
MF
Abraham Villon California United FC II
Free transfer
August 2, 2019
[ 13] [ 16]
6
MF
Duncan Capriotti L.A. Wolves FC
Free transfer
August 2, 2019
[ 13] [ 17]
10
FW
Gustavo Villalobos FC Golden State
Free transfer
August 2, 2019
[ 13] [ 18]
5
DF
Xavier Ikaika Fuerte California United FC II
Free transfer
August 5, 2019
[ 19]
2
DF
Gonzalo Salguero California United FC II
Free transfer
August 5, 2019
[ 20]
7
DF
Adan Coronado California United FC II
Free transfer
August 5, 2019
[ 21]
8
MF
Kyle O'Brien California United FC II
Free transfer
August 6, 2019
[ 22]
20
DF
Unattached
Free transfer
August 6, 2019
[ 23]
1
GK
Kifi Cabrera California United FC II
Free transfer
August 6, 2019
[ 24]
16
MF
Christian Thierjung Tulsa Roughnecks
Free transfer
August 7, 2019
[ 25]
4
DF
Juan Pablo Ocegueda California United FC II
Free transfer
August 7, 2019
[ 26]
17
FW
California United FC II
Free transfer
August 7, 2019
[ 27]
7
FW
Cristian Gordillo California United FC II
Free transfer
August 8, 2019
[ 28]
19
MF
Michael Sullivan Unattached
Free transfer
August 8, 2019
[ 29]
12
FW
Miguel Sánchez Rincón California United FC II
Free transfer
August 8, 2019
[ 30]
15
MF
Evan Waldrep Phoenix Rising FC
Free transfer
August 12, 2019
[ 31] [ 32]
3
DF
James McGhee Colorado Mesa Mavericks
Free transfer
August 12, 2019
[ 33] [ 34] [ 35]
14
FW
Grand Canyon Antelopes
Free transfer
August 12, 2019
[ 36]
0
GK
Steven Barrera Ventura County Fusion
Free transfer
August 13, 2019
[ 37]
9
FW
FC Arizona
Free transfer
August 13, 2019
[ 38]
21
DF
Beto Navarro Fresno FC
Free transfer
August 13, 2019
[ 39]
13
FW
Michael Bryant Orange County FC
Free transfer
August 29, 2019
[ 40]
30
GK
Jonathan Waterberg TOP Oss
Free transfer
January 16, 2020
19
MF
Shane Kaemerle Strikers FC - Irvine
Free transfer
February 19, 2020
[ 41]
33
DF
Kevin Garcia-Lopez Las Vegas Lights FC
Free transfer
February 24, 2020
[ 42]
29
MF
Tony Lopez Rot-Weiss Walldorf
Free transfer
February 25, 2020
[ 43]
14
MF
Alec Sundly 1. FCA Darmstadt
Free transfer
February 26, 2020
[ 44]
23
MF
Shinya Kadono Loudoun United FC
Free transfer
February 26, 2020
[ 45]
Out
Friendlies
Competitions
Details for the 2019 NISA Fall season were announced July 25, 2019.[ 47]
Standings
Results summary
Overall
Home
Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
7
3
3
1
17
10
+7
12
3
1
0
11
2
+9
0
2
1
6
8
−2
Matches
Fall Playoff
NISA Spring Season
Details for the 2020 NISA Spring season were announced January 27, 2020.[ 48]
Standings
Updated to match(es) played on March 8, 2020. Source:
NISAofficial.com (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Results summary
Overall
Home
Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
2
1
1
0
1
0
+1
4
1
0
0
1
0
+1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Matches
U.S. Open Cup
Cal United will enter the 2020 U.S. Open Cup with the rest of the National Independent Soccer Association teams in the Second Round.[ 51] [ 52] USL Championship side Orange County SC .[ 53]
Squad statistics
As of Match played 8 March 2020
Appearances and goals
Goal scorers
Disciplinary record
References
^ "Out of Their League: California United Strikers drop out of NPSL, Founders Cup" . www.frontrowsoccer.com . Retrieved December 21, 2019 .^ Kivlehan, Chris (June 11, 2019). "Miami FC, Cal United Accepted Into NISA, Pro Soccer For Baton Rouge & Other News From NISA Board of Governors Meeting" . Midfield Press . Archived from the original on September 16, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019 . ^ "CALIFORNIA UNITED ADVANCE TO NISA CHAMPIONSHIP • SoccerToday" . SoccerToday . October 27, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2020 .^ "NISA West Coast Championship" . www.nisaofficial.com . Retrieved January 2, 2020 .^ "CALIFORNIA UNITED STRIKERS ARE NISA WEST COAST CHAMPIONS • SoccerToday" . SoccerToday . November 11, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2020 .^ "GIRA POR ESTADOS UNIDOS" . rojos (in Spanish). Retrieved January 2, 2020 .^ "Municipal confirma cinco amistosos en Estados Unidos – Guatevision" (in Spanish). Retrieved January 2, 2020 .^ Municipal, C. S. D. (July 6, 2019). "#GiraEU | #PretemporadaRoja FINAL Termina el encuentro entre @CalUtdStrikers y el CSD Municipalpic.twitter.com/SuVjMGDm9d" . @Rojos_Municipal (in Spanish). Retrieved January 2, 2020 . ^ Coronado, Oscar (July 6, 2019). "#GiraEU | El equipo de @Rojos_Municipal perdió ante @CalUtdStrikers 1-3 en partido de preparación en Estados Unidos. Goles estadounidenses: Evan Waldrep, Cristian Gordillo y Xavier Fuerte. Descontó Luis de León. @PublinewsGT / @Deportes_PNpic.twitter.com/aupGfY7dqv" . @OCoronado_PN (in Spanish). Retrieved January 2, 2020 . ^ a b c d e "NISA OFFICIAL UPDATE" . nisaofficial.com . National Independent Soccer Association. Retrieved April 28, 2020 .^ Kennedy, Paul. "NISA cancels spring season, sets sights on August start to fall championship" . www.socceramerica.com . Retrieved April 28, 2020 . ^ "Roster" . Retrieved December 21, 2019 .^ a b c d e "DRUM ROLL PLEASE!! Introducing @CalUtdStrikers FIRST five signed professional players! Welcome to the Home of the Dream" . Twitter . Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Kevin Jeon was born and raised in Southern California and is a product of the Irvine @strikersfc youth academy who plays winger. He has experience playing with @CDsanturtziKE in Spain, Blau-Weiß Friesdorf in Germany, and @orangecountysc" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Chris KLUTE (pronounced clue-tee) joins us and is a native Texan who has a wealth of experience. He is a dynamic outside back who's as good going forward as playing defense. He has played for the @coloradorapids, @columbuscrewsc, and @timbersfc" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Abraham, aka: AB, is a midfielder born and raised in California who has had several stints with the US Youth National Team. He has played for several PDL teams and the USL side, @EnergyFC" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Duncan is a central midfielder, born and raised right here in Orange County, California. Growing up he went to RSM high school and has recently graduated with two masters degrees from @chapmanu" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "From Hollywood, CA Gustavo Villalobos Aka: "goose" comes to Cal United Strikers as a Forward with experience playing professionally for teams such as Pembroke Athleta, @roughnecksFC and @orangecountysc" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "SIGNED Ikaika Fuerte joining Cal United Strikers as a strong center back. Ikaika or as everyone else calls him, Xavier or X, grew up in Kauai and played for @hilovulcans" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "SIGNED Gonzalo joins Cal United Strikers! Signing his first pro contract, he grew up in Los Angeles, California. Known on the team as "Gonzo" he is one of our hardest working players and has a hell of a first touch" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Adan Coronado joins the Dream team! Prior to signing with Cal United Strikers, Adan comes from a lot of experience playing overseas with teams like Kickers Emden in Germany, FK Kom, Ottersberg, BSV Schwarz-Weiß Rehden II, and finishing with AZAL before arriving to us" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "SIGNED Kyle O,Brien joins Cal United Strikers! From Garden Grove, CA @kyleob attended Vanguard University earning numerous honors for @vulions including All-American & All-Conference Awards. He has played professionally with Pembroke Athleta FC and @hibernianfootballclub" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "SIGNED Cash London signs with Cal United Strikers. He grew up in Los Angeles, CA and plays for the Guyana National Team" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "SIGNED Kifi Cabrera with his professional contract signing! Kifi has grown up in Paramount, California and has earned ALL- @upsl honors and was First Team All CIF his junior and senior year of high school" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Welcome local talent, Christian Thierjung! Christian was born and raised in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Christian was drafted after college to the @sjearthquakes. Moving on to play with @nycosmos before signing with the @roughnecksfc" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Welcome to the team Juan Pablo Ocegueda aka "JP" Juan Pablo is from Riverside, CA and has a wealth of experience playing professionally. Growing-up, JP was a fixture with the youth teams within our United States National Team system" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Andy Contreras joins Cal United Strikers. Andy is from Santa Maria, CA and played at University of California Riverside and played for So Cal Sports Club in the NPSL" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Cristian Gordillo joins California United Strikers FC - he brings an extensive experience playing with First Division teams in Mexico like, @fcjuarezoficial, @AtletideSanLuis and @ClubNecaxa" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Michael Sullivan from Stanford, California joins the team. He is a technical and dynamic Midfielder who has had the opportunity to play in Hungary and now with Cal United Strikers. We are excited to see what he has in store for this season" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Welcome Miguel Rincon-Sanchez! Miguel is from Inglewood, CA. He played with the Chivas USA Academy in Carson, California, he then moved on to play in Mexico where he signed with @Chiapas_FC 2007-2010. He then signed with @Cruz_Azul_FC for the 2010-11 season" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Evan Waldrep a central midfielder from Peoria, AZ joins the team! Evan has played with clubs such as @fctucson and @phoenixrising he also played his collegiate years at @creighton1878 and @gcu - he has also played on the U18 and U20 Youth National Team" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "New chapter, new opportunity. The grind continues. Let's get it!" . Instagram . Evan Waldrep. Archived from the original . Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Blessed and thankful to have the opportunity to continue doing what I love by signing my first pro contract with @CalUtdStrikers #homeofthedream #NISA" . Twitter . James McGhee. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "James McGhee, a defender from Gilbert, Arizona joins the Dream team after finishing his senior year with @cmumavericks earning First Team All Conference and First Team All Region and 2nd Team All American" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ Cozzolino, Richie. "CMU Soccer Grad Signs Pro Contract" . westernslopenow.com . Western Slope Now. Retrieved January 4, 2020 . ^ "Welcome Jackson Jellah from Phoenix, Arizona! Jackson is a Forward who comes to the team after finishing up his senior year with Grand Canyon University - we can't wait to see him do his thing!" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Steven Barrera signs with Cal United Strikers! Following high school, Steven moved on to play four years at Cal State Los Angeles. In goal for the Golden Eagles, Barrera, the team captain, received CCAA Honorable Mention GK honors, 3rd Team NCAA All-West Region" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Signed Omar Nuño! Last season he was playing with @fcarizonasoccer in the NPSL and scored an impressive 15 goals for the team. Prior to that he played for @sonomacountysol where he received the Golden Boot Award after having scored 20 goals and had 8 assists in a season" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Bienvenido Beto Navarro! Born and raised in Delano, CA Beto has an impressive resume. Most recently he played for @ffcfoxes but Beto has played for other professional clubs like @orangecountysoccer and was also on the team when they were formerly knows as the OC Blues" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Welcome Michael Bryant! Michael went to @EC_MensSoccer for 3 seasons and received 2 x All Region award 3 x First Team All Conference and Conference Player of the Year in 2016. He transferred to Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho where he received an All Conference award" . Twitter . California United Strikers FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .^ "Cal United Strikers Sign 15 year old Shane Kaemerle" . www.calunitedstrikers.com . Retrieved February 20, 2020 .^ "WELCOME K E V I N G A R C I A - L O P E ZKevin is a natural right back. He played for South Bay Force Soccer Club and @PatsYouth before being recruited to play for @UCSBgauchos At UCSB, Kevin worked his way into the starting lineup and became captain 1/3" . @CalUtdStrikers . February 24, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020 .^ "Welcome Tony Lopez!!Tony is 1 of 75 Try Out Participants that made the team making him our 20th Southern California player on our roster. To read more about Tony Lopez click here" . @CalUtdStrikers . February 25, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020 .^ "Alec Sundly joins Cal United Strikers! Sundly played at @UCBerkeley from 2010-2013 and was drafted by the @NERevolution 32nd overall in the 2013 draft. He played professionally across the United States from Massachuttes, New York, Utah & now back home in California. 1/2" . @CalUtdStrikers . February 26, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020 .^ "WELCOME Shinya Kadono! Irvine native joins us after being drafted to DC United in 2019. From 2015-2019 Shinya played his collegiate career at UC Berkeley where he received many honors such as Pac – 12 Player of the week, All Pac-12 First Team, Berkeley's MVP in 2017 and 2018" . @CalUtdStrikers . February 26, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020 .^ Eftekhari, Art. "OCFC 2 SIGN CRISTIAN GORDILLO!" . ocfcsoccer.com . Orange County FC. Retrieved January 4, 2020 . ^ "NISA Announces Fall '19 Schedule" . National Independent Soccer Association . July 25, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019 .^ "Schedule" . National Independent Soccer Association . Retrieved February 1, 2020 .^ a b c d "NISA ANNOUNCES SUSPENSION OF SEASON FOR 30 DAYS" . nisaofficial.com . National Independent Soccer Association. Retrieved March 12, 2020 .^ a b c d "NISA EXTENDS SUSPENSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CDC GUIDELINES" . nisaofficial.com . National Independent Soccer Association. Retrieved March 20, 2020 .^ "LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP COMPETITION FORMAT ANNOUNCED" . Nisasoccer . December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019 .^ "RECORD-SETTING 100 TEAMS CONFIRMED FOR 2020 LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP, 107TH EDITION OF U.S. SOCCER'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP" . ussoccer.com . U.S. Soccer. Retrieved January 8, 2020 .^ "2020 U.S. OPEN CUP SECOND ROUND PAIRINGS AND HOST SCENARIOS" . Retrieved February 1, 2020 .^ "U.S. Soccer Temporarily Suspends 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Due to Covid-19 Outbreak" . www.ussoccer.com . Retrieved March 21, 2020 .
External links
Stadium Key personnel
Seasons
NISA Honors
West Coast Conference Champions (2019)
Current teams On hiatus Future teams Former teams Seasons Affiliated leagues
Full season Fall 2019 only Spring 2020 only
International
Club competitions National teams
International
Club competitions
