Chula Vista, CA – 19 games into the 2022 USL season and the San Diego Loyal continue their impressive form, sitting in third place in the Western Conference with a 10-5-4 record, the clubs best start in franchise history. The Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center (CVEATC) has been the home training facility of the San Diego Loyal since 2019, and continue to do so. With 14 games left to play in the 2022 USL season, the Loyal still have everything to play for as they try to make the USL playoffs for a second consecutive season.
During the off-season, the San Diego Loyal added some much-needed attacking players to their roster, signing forward Kyle Vassell from English League One side Cheltenham Town FC, and trading for forword Thomas Amang from Colorado Switchbacks FC. Kyle Vassell has recorded 10 goals and 2 assist since his signing, meanwhile, Thomas Amang has 7 goals and 2 assist in the same amount of time. Together the two new signing have scored 17 of the 39 team goals this season, adding a sense of prowess the SD Loyal have been lacking in the final third in recent years.
These signings helped the San Diego Loyal start the season off with a bang, defeating arch rivals LA Galaxy II 2-1 in the first game of the season, and steamrolling to a 6-2-2 record in their first ten games. During that same time, three Loyal players were named to the USL’s team of the week: Alejandro Guido (week 3), Tumi Moshobane (week 4), and Kyle Vassell (week 5). The club also made its first ever appearance in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, defeating cross town rival Albion San Diego 2-1, before falling in the third round to MLS side LA Galaxy 1-0.
The last 9 games played by the Loyal have seen them go 4-2-3. Alejandro Guido once again made the USL Team of the Week (week 17) with a 2-goal performance vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. The club also revealed its brand-new third kit presented by CHARLY, the “Siempre Leal” kit. The kit was inspired by San Diego’s Mexican and Mexican American population and border-town communities in the Baja California region, celebrating Mexican culture, strength and tradition.
With 14 matches remaining in the USL regular season, the San Diego Loyal currently sit in 3rd place in the USL’s Western Conference, 9 points from the top which is currently held by San Antonio FC. The team is coming off a 3-0 victory over second place Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Monday night, defeating them for the second time in two weeks. Next up is a Saturday evening home fixture vs Rio Grande Valley FC on 7/23.
The Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center would like to wish the San Diego Loyal the best of luck throughout the remainder of the 2022 USL season, as they try to bring home a much needed title to the City of San Diego.
Player Profile:
Alejandro Guido
Birthplace: Chula Vista, CA, USA
DOB: 3/22/1994
Position: Midfielder
Number: 10
Alejandro Guido was loaned to the Loyal from LAFC on Sept. 1, 2020. The midfielder instantly became an impact player, sparking an offense with his presence at midfield. Guido has made 19 appearances for the Loyal in the 2022 USL season and has recorded three goals and three assists during that time.
Guido grew up playing in local youth soccer leagues in southern San Diego and in Tijuana Mexico. He had trials and a short stint in Holland before signing with Club Tijuana of Liga MX. Guido eventually made his way onto Club Tijuana’s first team roster all the way from the Under-20 team.
Alejandro Guido has represented the United States at the U-17, U-18, U-20 AND U-23 levels.
(Pictures provided by sdloyal.com)
