San Diego Zest FC
File:Logo.sdzestorg.png | |||
Full name | San Diego Zest FC | ||
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Founded | 2016 | ||
Ground | Multiple[1] | ||
Owners | San Diego Sports Authority | ||
Head Coach | Jaewoo Kim | ||
League | Premier Development League | ||
2017 | 7th, Southwest Division Playoffs: DNQ | ||
Website | Club website | ||
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San Diego Zest FC is an American soccer team in San Diego, California, United States. The club was founded in 2016 and is owned and operated by San Diego Sports Authority, a sports management company. They compete in the Southwest Division of the Premier Development League. San Diego Zest FC plays its matches at James Madison High School's George Hoagland Stadium. The team colors are Orange and Navy.
History
The San Diego Zest FC was established in 2016 by a sports management company called San Diego Sports Authority, hereafter SDSA, located at San Diego, CA. The project was started in 2014 with aim of developing the local community soccer level and providing Japanese soccer players the path to pro in the U.S. On January 21, 2016, the Premier Development League announced that it had awarded the franchise to San Diego Zest FC, starting with the 2016 season.[2] "San Diego has for a long time been a target city for the PDL, we are very excited the outstanding leadership of the San Diego Sports Authority will be the group that brings the league to a great soccer city, and are looking forward to working with the club for many years to come.” said league director Todd Eason.
2016: Inaugural Season
- San Diego Zest FC had a very successful inaugural season campaign. They finished with a 8–1–5 record, which resulted in a 2nd place finish in the Southwestern Division and clinching a berth into the PDL playoffs. They lost in a very close match to FC Golden State Force 2–3 in overtime.
- Zest FC was led by its two stars, UCLA's DF/MF Erik Holt, and Chico State's FW Matthew Hurlow-Paonessa. Holt was named to PDL's All-Western Conference team, scoring 2 goals and playing very well in the playoffs.[3] Hurlow-Paonessa was a scoring phenomenon for Zest FC, scoring 9 goals and contributing an assist during his campaign.
- Hurlow-Paonessa became the first player to sign with a professional soccer club in San Diego Zest FC’s history, agreeing to his first professional contract with Phoenix Rising FC.[4]
2017: Second Season
- On February 22, 2017, San Diego Zest FC officially clinched a berth for the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as a result from their very successful inaugural season. They lost to LA Wolves FC in the opening round 2–4 in their U.S. Open Cup debut. Zest FC was not able to carry its high performance from its inaugural season, finishing with a 3–9–2 record in its 2nd season.
Introduced Women's Team To Compete in 2018
- On May 22, 2017, San Diego Zest FC announced the founding of an all woman's team to compete in the Women's Premier Soccer League, WPSL, starting in the 2018 season.The sister club of the San Diego Zest will hope to emulate the same success their founding team who are competing in their second season as members of the USL PDL.
New Ownership of Montenegrin Third Division Club FK Adria
- On October 4, San Diego Zest FC announced its new ownership of Montenegro soccer club, FK Adria, launched and started competing in the Montenegrin Third League in the 2017–2018 season. FK Adria, named after the Adriatic Sea, has a mission to groom people to be successful individuals, even after their playing careers have ended, at the international level by implementing a vision that includes what the team calls "character-building through soccer.
Partnership with Los Angeles Galaxy San Diego
- San Diego Zest FC announced a new partnership with Los Angeles Galaxy San Diego on November 17th. Zest FC and LA Galaxy San Diego are committed to benefiting each other through cooperation and developing good sportsmanship within the athletes while promoting enthusiasm within the community locally, nationally, and internationally through soccer.
U.S. Pro Soccer Combine in Japan
- San Diego Zest FC hosted a 2-Day U.S. Pro Soccer Combine on December 16th and 17th in Fukuoka, Japan. Four clubs from USL including Charleston Battery, Richmond Kickers, North Carolina FC and Nashville SC. attended for scouting Asian talents. Several players from the combine were invited to each club's second tryout.
Year-by-year
Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
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2016 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Southwest | Divisional Playoff | Did not enter |
2017 | 4 | USL PDL | 7th, Southwest | Did not qualify | First Round |
Head Coaches
- Cem Tont (2016–2017) [5]
- Jaewoo Kim (2018–present)
Notable Former Players
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.
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Average Attendance
- 2016: 365
- 2017: 293
External links
References
- ^ http://www.sandiegozestfc.us/schedule-2/
- ^ "PDL Awards Franchise to San Diego". Premier Development League (PDL). January 21, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ^ Staff, PDL (2016-07-29). "2016 PDL All-Western Conference Team". USL PDL. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
- ^ Communications, Phoenix Rising FC (2016-12-16). "Phoenix Rising FC Bolster Attack With Signing of Matthew Hurlow-Paonessa". Phoenix Rising FC | Arizona's Highest Level Professional Soccer Team. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
- ^ San Diego Zest Coaching Staff Archived 2016-06-29 at the Wayback Machine