Cal FC

History

Cal FC started to play in the La Gran Liga de Oxnard in 2009. The team was composed mainly of players whom Michael Friedman previously coached at clubs or on a college team. The team developed over the seasons to include players from SDSU and other colleges. Critical to the team's creation and continued success were the Barrera brothers, Danny and Diego. (Friedman previously coached Barrera on a U12 AYSO team). Their addition elevated the team and brought in higher level players and off-season pros looking to get a workout. They achieved great successes in the La Gran Liga and dominated other teams.

In 2012 the team entered into the USASA Region IV. The team placed 2nd over the well respected Doxa Italia club and Cal FC earned a berth into the USOC.

The team received attention in the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, when the club upset 2012 PDL Champions Kitsap 3-1, the USL Pro side Wilmington Hammerheads 4–0 and Major League Soccer side Portland Timbers 1–0 before losing to Seattle Sounders FC 5–0 in the fourth round of the tournament.

Cal FC became the first amateur team to beat an MLS club without needing penalty kicks, as well as the first from the USASA to do so (Dallas Roma F.C. had previously defeated Chivas USA in the 2006 tournament via penalty kicks).

Cal FC, Doxa Italia, and PSA battled it out over the next few years. In 2013 Cal failed to Qualify for USOC after losing to Doxa Italia in the USASA Region IV tournament. Cal FC qualified for the 2014, 2015, and 2016 editions of the tournament.

On August 21, 2018, Cal FC announced their intention to join the second-division United Soccer League by 2020. However, on November 15, 2018, Cal FC was listed among the founding members of the professional NPSL Founders Cup. However on July 24, 2019, the Founders Cup officially re-branded to the "Members Cup" with Cal FC removed as a participant.

Notable players

:Players noted below have played professionally.

• United States Eder Arreola
• Israel Orr Barouch
• United States Danny Barrera
• United States Diego Barrera
• El Salvador Derby Carrillo
• United States Pablo Cruz
• El Salvador Richard Menjivar
• United States Oscar Sorto

References

References

1. (April 9, 2018). "Press Release Michael Friedman, @Cal_FC President Cal FC Announces Keith Costigan as Manager Keith comes to Cal FC with an impressive resume both on and off the field.".
2. (May 7, 2012). "Eric Wynalda's Cal FC joins PSA Elite from Region IV to complete 2012 US Open Cup field {{!}} TheCup.us - Full Coverage of US Open Cup Soccer".
3. (May 16, 2012). "2012 US Open Cup First Round: Cal FC knocks out PDL champ Kitsap Pumas, 3-1 {{!}} TheCup.us - Full Coverage of US Open Cup Soccer".
4. (May 23, 2012). "2012 US Open Cup Round 2: Eric Wynalda's Cal FC stuns host Wilmington Hammerheads".
5. (May 31, 2012). "Cal FC upsets Timbers 1–0 in US Open Cup match". Associated Press.
6. Arnold, Geoffrey. (May 30, 2012). "Amateur squad shocks Portland Timbers in U.S. Open Cup". The Oregonian.
7. Itel, Dan. (May 30, 2012). "USOC RECAP: Timbers fall 1–0 to Cal FC in extra time". Major League Soccer.
8. Curley, Joe. (May 30, 2012). "T.O.-based Cal F.C. upsets MLS' Timbers". Ventura County Star.
9. Evans, Simon }}{{Dead link. (June 2023). "Timber! Portland felled by amateurs in cup upset". Reuters.
10. French, Scott. (May 31, 2012). "OPEN CUP: Cal FC stuns Timbers". ESPN LA.
11. "Cal FC is doing things in the U.S. Open Cup again".
12. (December 30, 2013). "al-fc-stuns-doxa-italia-twice-to-unofficially-qualify-from-usasa-region-iv".
13. "Extra-Time and Penalty Shootout Wins Highlight Results in First Round of 2015 U.S. Open Cup".
14. "Thirty-Six Slots Awarded to Open Division Teams for 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup".
15. (August 21, 2018). "Professional soccer coming to Thousand Oaks". Cal FC.
16. (November 15, 2018). "Eleven founding members to launch new league in association with National Premier Soccer League". National Premier Soccer League.
17. (July 24, 2019). "NPSL Founders Cup Relaunched as NPSL Members Cup".