Bakersfield Brigade
 |
|
| Full name | Bakersfield Brigade |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Legion |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Dissolved | 2009 |
| Stadium |
Bakersfield Christian High School Bakersfield, California |
| Capacity | 4,422 |
| Owner |
 Jeff Thorn
|
| Head Coach |
Jay Gore
|
| League | USL Premier Development League |
| 2009 | 10th, Southwest did not qualify for playoffs |
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 (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.
The team played its home games in the stadium on the campus of Bakersfield Christian High School. The team's colors were black and white.
The team also fielded a team in the USL’s Super-20 League, a league for players 17 to 20 years of age run under the United Soccer Leagues umbrella.
Former US national team star and Fox Soccer Channel broadcaster Eric Wynalda is a past member of the Brigade squad.
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 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.
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