After a successful rookie season competing in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), where Albion San Diego reached the championship game, the team, led by head coach Diego Gomez, takes on Chattanooga FC this Sunday at Canyon Crest Academy to open the regular season play. Albion last played on April 5 at the SDSU Sports Deck versus USL Championship side San Diego Loyal and completed a preseason schedule that included games against Xolos de Tijuana of Liga MX and LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer.

“We want to keep improving each week and go as far as possible in the playoffs,” said Gomez. “It all starts with having a solid regular season and developing the chemistry needed in order to make each other the best players possible.”

Chattanooga FC made it to the semifinals last season as the second seed before being eliminated at home by the eventual champion Michigan Stars. While Chattanooga no longer has the services of forward Ian Cerro, who now plays the USL Championship for Rio Grande Valley, or of goalkeeper Alec Redington, who now plays for Gold Star FC Detroit, the team still has 2022 Golden Boot winner Markus Naglestad and recently signed goalkeeper Jean Antoine.

“The league has very talented teams that will force us to be prepared and ready to perform at the highest level,” Gomez added. “I know the fans are excited to see what we have to offer as we get ready for the season to start and to make them proud.”

Albion will play a total of 24 matches this season with 13 of those being at Canyon Crest Academy including three of the first four and a six-game stretch starting on Aug. 8 against Club de Lyon and ending on Sept. 10 versus Chattanooga FC. Albion ends the regular season with three-straight road matches against LA Force, Maryland Bobcats, and Flower City Union. The kickoff for Sunday’s regular-season opener is at 5 p.m.

Photo by David Frerker