Omar Nuño Scores Stunning Goal For California United Strikers Omar Nuño nets 25th-minute goal and Miguel Sanchez Rincon earns first NISA assist; California United Strikers Look to Bounce Back in Home Opener despite loss to 1904 FC in San Diego’s debut at SDCCU Stadium. California United Strikers invites fans to come cheer at their inaugural home opener against LA Force on Sunday, September 22 at 4 PM at Orange County Park’s Championship Stadium.

Match Report: California United Strikers and 1904 FC in Action Packed Match at SDCCU Stadium

SAN DIEGO, CA. (Saturday, September 14, 2019) – When the final whistle blew on the California United Strikers and 1904 FC match at SDCCU Stadium, the real winner was the beautiful game. With stellar moments of fast-and-furious action, these two new professional soccer teams entertained fans with high quality soccer.

Orange County’s new professional team were hosted by 1904 FC in San Diego’s inaugural home opener. It was California United Strikers’ second match in the NISA Showcase Season.

California United Strikers conceded three goals, losing to 1904 FC with a final score of 1-3. Although It was a disappointing defeat, the stunning goal from Omar Nuño in the 25th minute thrilled fans.

The match was action-packed from the start. 1904 FC opened the scoring first when Lorenzo “Tito” Ramirez rose to head the ball past California United Strikers’ defense off of a curling cross from Ernesto ‘Moe’ Espinoza in the 11’ minute. These two former Tijuana Xolos academy players worked well together to score the first goal in 1904’s history.

California United Strikers were unfazed by the opposition scoring first and came back quickly with a great, MLS-quality play in the 25’ when #9 Omar Sanchez turned and scored on a pass from Miguel Sanchez Rincon, Jr.. A product of Santa Rosa United, this was Sanchez’s first professional goal. Sanchez and Rincon, a Chivas Academy homegrown player, both turned professional after signing their first pro contracts with California United Strikers earlier this year.

At half time, the game was tied 1-1.

In the second half, California United Strikers came out strong, maintaining possession but San Diego rookie Billy Garton scored a decisive goal on a penalty kick in the 52th minute for 1904 FC.

1904’s defense looked strong as California United Strikers repeatedly attacked in an attempt to equalize. 1904’s Ramirez scored the third goal for his team minutes after the penalty was scored for a 3-1 lead.

With waves of offensive pressure, California United Strikers hit back in response, looking to rebound, but were unable to find the back of the net.

Multiple decisive offense attacks failed to earn an equalizer and California United Strikers hopes of a game-winner were slowly erased by a strong performance by 1904’s goalkeeper Jean Antoinne.

California United Strikers would fight to a 1-3 loss but a new rivarly was born and an I5 derby is in the future.

“I was disappointed obviously in the outcome, we had a bad ten minute stretch where we made mistakes and 1904 made us pay for them,” said California United Strikers Head Coach Don Ebert.

“We need to learn and improve, but we will get back on the training field and be ready for our first home game next Sunday,” said Ebert.

“We started a bit slow and 1904 scored the first goal, but we kept our heads up and got the goal back,” said forward Omar Nuño after the match. “We were pushing for a second goal but unfortunately it was half time. When we were in the locker room, we were confident that we would go out and get the result we wanted — but it did not happen.”

“We need to do a proper job,” said Nuño who felt that the mistake early in the second half when Cal United gave away the penalty was a moment he wished they could take back. “We need to take responsibility — and we will.”

“It was nice to see Omar Nuño score his first goal, it is always a relief for every striker to see that first one hit the back of the net,” said Ebert. “We just need to keep working on integrating him with the other players and getting him to work on his mobility and movement on and off the ball. When he learns that he will be a handful for any defense.”

“The skill level was quite impressive and I thought San Diego was the better team. 1904 put away their chances and we did have chances — we didn’t convert,” said Michael Collins, president and general manager of California United Strikers.

“The San Diego team attacked and attacked and they had the success,” said Collins who is a former professsional soccer player with an impressive 17-year career that includes the U.S.Men’s National team. “We are really trying to get an attacking and attractive brand of football in NISA, so we are always going to push to score as many goals as possible.”

“For some of the Cal United players, this was their second game and they have never played at home — we are expected a very electric crowd for our home opener,” said Collins who admits he is a soccer purist and was honored to have his team play in SDCCU Stadium which has a rich history of Cristiano Ronaldo scoring, as well as many others.

“I told the players tonight that it is a real honor for them to be able to play on the same pitch as some of the best players we have seen play in America,” said Collins. “It was a wonderful experience for Cal United Strikers.”

GOALS

• 25' - CAL - Omar Nuño | WATCH

Next Up: California United Strikers host LA Force in their Home Opener on Sunday, September 22 at 4 PM at the Championship Stadium at OC Great Park. Click for Ticket Information - Tickets are $10 for General Admission and $5 for Youth

First Match: California United FC traveled to play the Oakland Roots in NISA’s West Coast Inaugural game before a sold-out crowd of 3,500 on August 31, 2019. Final Score: 3-3.

2019 NISA Showcase Season

Game 4 of 30

SDCCU Stadium | San Diego, CA

Attendance: 2,838

Weather: 71 degrees and clear

California United Strikers Links

Watch: Full Match Highlights

Reaction: Head Coach Don Ebert

Score	1	2	F
California United Strikers  (0-1-1, 1 point)	1	0	1
1904 FC (1-0-0, 3 points)	1	2	3

California United Strikers: Kifi Cabrera, Gonzalo Salguero, Juan Pablo Ocegueda, Xavier Fuerte, Duncan Capriotti, Omar Nuño (Andy Contreras ’64), Abraham Villon, Miguel Sanchez-Rincon (Michael Bryant ’79), Evan Waldrep (Gustavo Villalobos 45’), Kevin Jeon (Christian Thierjung ’45), Chris Klute

Scoring Summary:

1904 — Lorenzo “Tito” Ramirez (Ernesto ‘Moe’ Espinoza 10) 11’

CAL  — Omar Nuño 9 (Miguel Sanchez-Rincon 12) 25’

1904 — Billy Garton 19 - 52’

1904 — Lorenzo “Tito” Ramirez

Referee: Samantha Martinzes

Assistant Referee: Denis Vargas

Assistant Referee: Ricardo Fierro

Fourth Official: Karen Callado

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California United Strikers Quote Sheet

California United Strikers Head Coach Don Ebert

On the California United Strikers vs. 1904 FC Match:

“I was disappointed obviously in the outcome, we had a bad ten minute stretch where we made mistakes and 1904 made us pay for them.”

On the loss:

“We need to learn and improve, but we will get back on the training field and be ready for our first home game next Sunday,” said Ebert.

On the California United Strikers’ Omar Nuño First Goal:

“It was nice to see Omar Nuño score his first goal, it is always a relief for every striker to see that first one hit the back of the net. We just need to keep working on integrating him with the other players and getting him to work on his mobility and movement on and off the ball. When he learns that he will be a handful for any defense.”

California United Strikers President and General Manager

Michael Collins

On the California United Strikers vs. 1904 FC Match:

“The skill level was quite impressive and I thought San Diego was the better team. 1904 put away their chances and we did have chances — we didn’t convert.”

On the New League NISA and 1904 FC:

“The San Diego team attacked and attacked and they had the win. We are really trying to get an attacking and attractive brand of football in NISA, so we are always going to push to score as many goals as possible.

On the California United Strikers upcoming Home Opener:

“For some of the Cal United Strikers’ players, this was their second game and they have never played at home — we are expected a very electric crowd for our home opener.”

On playing in historic SDCCU Stadium:

“I told the players tonight that it is a real honor for them to be able to play on the same pitch as some of the best players we have seen play in America,” said Collins. “It was a wonderful experience for Cal United Strikers.”

California United Strikers Forward Omar Nuño

On the California United Strikers vs. 1904 FC Match:

“We started a bit slow and 1904 scored the first goal, but we kept our heads up and got the goal back.”

On the going into the locker room at half time in the California United Strikers vs. 1904 FC Match:

“We were pushing for a second goal but unfortunately it was half time. When we were in the locker room, we were confident that we would go out and get the result we wanted — but it did not happen.”

On the loss:

“We need to do a proper job. We need to take responsibility — and we will.”

California United Strikers Captain Xavier Fuerte

On the California United Strikers vs. 1904 FC Match:

“It was a good game, good atmosphere here, we played well but we just couldn’t finish.”

On playing in historic SDCCU Stadium:

“It is an honor to play here in this stadium and to make history with San Diego. The NISA league is awesome.

On the San Diego Fans:

“I hope we have the same atmosphere but more fans and a better result next weekend in our home opener on Sunday, September 22.”

California United Strikers Defender Christopher Klute

On the California United Strikers vs. 1904 FC Match:

“It was a bad game for us, we came out slow and they got an early on us. We tied it up — which was good, but then we gave them two easy ones after that.”

One moment to take back:

“The first goal. 1904 had momentum after that and it kind of set the pace for them.”

On the California United Strikers upcoming Home Opener:

“We will go over our mistakes and bounce back. Everyone needs to come out to our home opener — so we can show them how good we are.”

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