Salinas Valley Samba
Encyclopedia
Salinas Valley Samba is an American soccer team based in Salinas, California
, United States
. Founded in 2004, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League
(NPSL), a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, in the Western Division.
The team plays its home games in the stadium on the campus of Watsonville High School
in nearby Watsonville, California
, where they have played since 2009. The team's colors are silver, black and white.
, the Sonoma County Sol
, the Sacramento Knights
, and the Idaho Wolves
. During their first season of play, the Samba finished the league in 5th place, five points behind the Utah Salt Ratz
, who ultimately finished the season as league champions.
The 2005 season saw the development of location-specific conferences as more teams were added to the league. This placed Salinas Valley in the Western Conference, with a majority of California teams (with the exception of the Las Vegas Strikers
and the Albuquerque Asylum
) The expansion of the league in 2006 brought further development of the conferences, as the Western Conference split into "Northwestern" and "Southwestern", and a Midwestern conference was added. The Salinas Valley Samba are currently in the Northwestern Conference.
The Samba finished the 2005 season in 4th place. Also in 2005 the Samba advanced to the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
before being defeated by the Seattle Sounders
.
In 2006, they finished the year in 6th place.
Yuri Morales
Nate Northup
Adam Smarte
Salinas, California
Salinas is the county seat and the largest municipality of Monterey County, California. Salinas is located east-southeast of the mouth of the Salinas River, at an elevation of about 52 feet above sea level. The population was 150,441 at the 2010 census...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2004, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League
National Premier Soccer League
The National Premier Soccer League is a United States soccer league recognized by the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA as a Division IV league...
(NPSL), a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, in the Western Division.
The team plays its home games in the stadium on the campus of Watsonville High School
Watsonville High School
Watsonville High School is a high school located in Watsonville, California in Santa Cruz County, and is part of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. This is an open campus school, thus students are able to leave and come back after lunch...
in nearby Watsonville, California
Watsonville, California
Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 51,199 according to the 2010 census.Located on the central coast of California, the economy centers predominantly around the farming industry. It is known for growing strawberries, apples, lettuce and a host...
, where they have played since 2009. The team's colors are silver, black and white.
History
The Samba joined the MPSL at the end of the inaugural 2003 season, along with the Albuquerque AsylumAlbuquerque Asylum
Albuquerque Asylum is an American soccer team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. Founded in 2004, the team is member of the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, the Sonoma County Sol
Sonoma County Sol
Sonoma County Sol is an American soccer team based in Santa Rosa, California, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division.The team plays its home games at...
, the Sacramento Knights
Sacramento Knights
Sacramento Knights were an indoor soccer team that played from 1993 to 2001 in ARCO Arena and were owned by the NBA's Sacramento Kings. The team played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1993 to 1997. The team then moved to the World Indoor Soccer League in 1998 after the CISL folded...
, and the Idaho Wolves
Idaho Wolves
Idaho Wolves were an American soccer team, founded in 2004. The team was a member of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, for just one season...
. During their first season of play, the Samba finished the league in 5th place, five points behind the Utah Salt Ratz
Utah Salt Ratz
Utah Salt Ratz were an American soccer team, founded in 2003. The team was a member of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2004, when the then-new Real Salt Lake franchise joined Major League Soccer.They played their home games at Juan Diego...
, who ultimately finished the season as league champions.
The 2005 season saw the development of location-specific conferences as more teams were added to the league. This placed Salinas Valley in the Western Conference, with a majority of California teams (with the exception of the Las Vegas Strikers
Las Vegas Strikers
Las Vegas Strikers were an American soccer team, founded in 2003. The team were a member of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, and play in the Southwest Conference....
and the Albuquerque Asylum
Albuquerque Asylum
Albuquerque Asylum is an American soccer team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. Founded in 2004, the team is member of the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
) The expansion of the league in 2006 brought further development of the conferences, as the Western Conference split into "Northwestern" and "Southwestern", and a Midwestern conference was added. The Salinas Valley Samba are currently in the Northwestern Conference.
The Samba finished the 2005 season in 4th place. Also in 2005 the Samba advanced to the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
before being defeated by the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
.
In 2006, they finished the year in 6th place.
Current roster
as at June 7, 2009Notable former players
Eli Delgado David EstradaDavid Estrada (soccer)
David Estrada is a Mexican-born American soccer player who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
Yuri Morales
Yuri Morales
Yuri Morales is a Puerto Rican footballer who plays for the United States national beach soccer team....
Nate Northup
Nate Northup
Nate Northup is an American soccer midfielder who plays for the Dirty Ducks in the amateur Monterey Peninsula Soccer League.-College:...
Adam Smarte
Adam Smarte
Adam Smarte is an Liberian soccer player who currently plays for Ventura County Fusion in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 4 | MPSL | 5th | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2005 | 4 | NPSL | 4th, Western | Did not qualify | Second Round |
| 2006 | 4 | NPSL | 6th, Northwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2007 | 4 | NPSL | 4th, Northwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | 4 | NPSL | 4th, Northwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 4 | NPSL | 6th, Western | Did not qualify | Did not enter |
Stadia
- "The Pit" at Salinas High SchoolSalinas High SchoolSalinas High School is a public high school established in Salinas, California. It is the first of four primary high schools of the Salinas Union High School District...
; Salinas, CaliforniaSalinas, CaliforniaSalinas is the county seat and the largest municipality of Monterey County, California. Salinas is located east-southeast of the mouth of the Salinas River, at an elevation of about 52 feet above sea level. The population was 150,441 at the 2010 census...
(2004-2008) - Stadium at Watsonville High SchoolWatsonville High SchoolWatsonville High School is a high school located in Watsonville, California in Santa Cruz County, and is part of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. This is an open campus school, thus students are able to leave and come back after lunch...
; Watsonville, CaliforniaWatsonville, CaliforniaWatsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 51,199 according to the 2010 census.Located on the central coast of California, the economy centers predominantly around the farming industry. It is known for growing strawberries, apples, lettuce and a host...
(2009-present)