Sacramento Gold (1976–1980)

Last updated

The Sacramento Gold was an American soccer club based in Sacramento, California that was a member of the American Soccer League. They were original called the Sacramento Spirits when founded in 1976. During their final months of existence in the 1980 season they were known as the Sacramento Spirit.

Contents

History

In the team's inaugural season they failed to qualify for the ASL playoffs. In the 1977 season the Spirits won the West Division and made it to the ASL championship game. During the 1978 season the Spirits' ASL membership was canceled for failing to fulfill the obligations of the ASL constitution. [1] They were replaced by a new team owned by local cabinet manufacturer, John Andreotti. Less than two weeks later the "new" franchise was named the Sacramento Gold and inherited the Spirits' 2–4–0 record, players, and remaining schedule. [2] [3] In 1979 Sacramento won the ASL title. For their part, the Gold ceased operations on July 16, 1980. [4] In a situation similar to 1978, the Gold was replaced by the Spirit, however this time it was the club's boosters that assumed the responsibility of running the club. [5] [6] In the 1980 season the Sacramento club won the American Conference and reached the ASL title game for the third time in four years.

Coaches

Yearly Awards

ASL Coach of the Year

ASL Rookie of the Year

ASL All-Star Team

ASL Leading Points Scorer

Year-by-year

YearDivisionLeagueReg. SeasonPlayoffsU.S. Open Cup
1976 2ASL5th, WestDid not qualifyDid not enter
1977 2ASL1st, WestFinalDid not enter
1978 2ASL4th, WesternDid not qualifyDid not enter
1979 2ASL2nd, WesternChampionDid not enter
1980 2ASL1st, AmericanFinalDid not enter

Honors

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983)</span> American soccer team (1977–1983)

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers was a professional soccer team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They competed in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1977 to 1983. They played their home matches at Lockhart Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rochester Lancers (1967–1980)</span> Soccer club

The Rochester Lancers were an American soccer team that competed in the American Soccer League (ASL) from 1967 until 1969, and in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1970 to 1980. The team was based in Rochester, New York, and played home games at Holleder Memorial Stadium. The Lancers won the 1970 NASL Championship and was the only NASL team to compete in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The Lancers could not sustain their early success, posting two winning records and a few playoff appearances before folding after the 1980 season.

The Cleveland Stars were an American soccer club based in Cleveland, Ohio and a member of the American Soccer League in 1972–73. Before the 1974 season, the name was changed to the Cleveland Cobras.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles Skyhawks</span> Former American professional soccer club

The Los Angeles Skyhawks was an American professional soccer club based in Los Angeles, California, that was a member of the American Soccer League. Founded as part of the American Soccer League's expansion to the west coast in 1976, they were the first professional sports team to be based in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. The ASL, under commissioner Bob Cousy, had expanded in an attempt to compete with the North American Soccer League. Coming into the league with the Skyhawks were the Oakland Buccaneers, Tacoma Tides, Sacramento Spirits, and the Utah Pioneers. These teams formed the Western Division, while the Eastern Division had the established teams New York Apollo, Connecticut Yankees, Rhode Island Oceaneers, Chicago Cats, New Jersey Americans, and Cleveland Cobras.

The New Jersey Americans were an American soccer club based in New Brunswick, New Jersey that was a member of the American Soccer League. The amateur team won the ASL championship in 1977, in its second year of existence.

Steve Ralbovsky is a Yugoslav-American former soccer player. He was the 1975 Hermann Trophy winner as the outstanding collegiate soccer player of the year. He then had an extensive professional career including time in the North American Soccer League and the American Soccer League II and III.

Michael John Cave was an English footballer who played as a midfielder.

Telmo Pires is a retired soccer player professionally in the North American Soccer League, American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. Born in Portugal, he earned one cap with the United States men's national soccer team in 1975.

Tom D. Reynolds is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played two seasons in the North American Soccer League, one in the Major Indoor Soccer League and at least four in the American Soccer League.

Mal Roche is an English retired football forward who played seven seasons in the American Soccer League and at least one in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He was the 1977 ASL Rookie of the Year and the 1980 ASL Leading Scorer.

"Gerald" Hylkema was a Dutch professional football forward who played three games in the North American Soccer League and several seasons in the American Soccer League.

George Gorleku is a retired soccer defender from Ghana. He played professionally in the American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League.

Ian Frederick Filby is an English retired professional footballer who played professionally as a forward for a number of clubs in England, South Africa and North America.

Rich Reice is a retired American professional soccer forward who played in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League, American Soccer League and United Soccer League.

Statistics of American Soccer League II in season 1978.

Statistics of American Soccer League II in season 1980.

The Philadelphia Fury were an American soccer team that competed in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1978 to 1980. The team was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and played their home games at Veterans Stadium. Included in the team's ownership group were rock musicians Rick Wakeman, Peter Frampton, Mick Jagger, and Paul Simon. During the team's three years of play in Philadelphia it never had a winning record, but qualified for, and advanced to the second round, of the 1979 playoffs. After the 1980 NASL season, the team was sold and moved to Montreal, rebranding as the Montreal Manic.

Bernard “Dancing Shoes” Hartze is a South African retired professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played in several leagues in South Africa and the United States. Early on, Hartze was given the nickname “Dancing Shoes” because of his deft dribbling skills and footwork.

The Buffalo Blazers were a soccer team in Buffalo, New York. They competed in the National Soccer League in 1976–1978 and 1980. They were one of only four American teams to have competed in the National Soccer League which was based in Canada.

Luis Marotte is an Uruguayan former footballer who played as a midfielder.

References

  1. "ASL Spirits collapse". San Francisco Examiner. June 16, 1978. p. 65. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  2. Johnson, Kent (June 16, 1978). "Spirits Die, New ASL Club Born". Sacramento Bee. p. AA1. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  3. "Gold Fails". Sacramento Bee. June 23, 1978. p. C2. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  4. Graswich, R.E. (July 17, 1980). "Gold Fails In Bailout Try, Ceases Operation". Sacramento Bee. p. F1. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  5. Graswich, R.E. (July 23, 1980). "ASL Accepts Boosters To Run Soccer Team". Sacramento Bee. p. D1. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  6. "ASL Team Christened The 'Spirit'". Sacramento Bee. July 30, 1980. p. C1. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  7. "Dick Ott appointed pro soccer coach". The Journal News (Hamilton, Ohio). January 22, 1976. p. 19. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  8. Weinstein, Leo (July 28, 1976). "ASL Spirits' coach fired". San Francisco Examiner. p. 51. Retrieved November 30, 2018.