Golden Gate Gales
Full nameSan Francisco Golden Gate Gales
Nickname(s)Gales
Founded1967
Dissolved1967
StadiumCandlestick Park
Capacity59,942
OwnerGeorge Fleharty
Head coachErnst Happel,
Ferenc Puskás
LeagueUnited Soccer Association
19672nd of Western Division

The San Francisco Golden Gate Gales were an American soccer team that played in the United Soccer Association (USA). The team was based in San Francisco, California and played their home games at the Candlestick Park. The team folded when the USA merged with the National Professional Soccer League to form the North American Soccer League.

History

In 1966 several groups of entrepreneurs were exploring the idea of forming a professional soccer league in United States. One of these groups, United Soccer Association (USA) led by Jack Kent Cooke, selected 12 cities for team locations and George Fleharty, owner of the Ice Follies, was awarded the San Francisco franchise. The USA originally planned to start play in the spring of 1968; however the rival National Professional Soccer League, which secured a TV contract from CBS, announced it was ready to launch in 1967. Not wanting to let the rival league gain an advantage, the USA decided to launch early. Not having secured any player contracts, the league imported teams from Europe, Brazil, and Uruguay. The Dutch team ADO Den Haag were brought over to represent the city of San Francisco.[1][2]

The Gales opened the season at home against the Vancouver Royals[a] with a 6-1 win in front of crowd of 8,177.[3] The Gales finished the season in second place with a record of 5 wins, 3 ties and 4 losses while drawing an average home league attendance of 5,422.[4]

Following the 1967 season the United Soccer Association teams began to build clubs for the next season. Retired Hungarian soccer player Ferenc Puskás was brought in to coach the Gales and began to assemble and train players.[5] However, in December 1968 the United Soccer Association and the National Professional Soccer League merged to form the North American Soccer League. The Gales closed their franchise to yield to bay region to the Oakland Clippers and the owners bought an interest in the Vancouver Royals.[6]

Year-by-year

Year League W L T Pts Regular Season Playoffs
1967 USA 5 4 3 13 2nd(t), Western Division Did not qualify

Notes

  1. ^ The English team Sunderland A.F.C. had been brought over to represent Vancouver

References

  1. ^ Seese, D.J. (2015). The Rebirth of Professional Soccer in America: The Strange Days of the United Soccer Association. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781442238954.
  2. ^ Thompson, Dave (2015). Soccer FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Clubs, the Players, and the Rivalries. Backbeat Books. ISBN 9781617136252.
  3. ^ "Cougars Open With Tie". The Owosso Argus-Press. May 27, 1967. p. 13. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "North American Soccer League". RSSSF. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  5. ^ "Soccer guest is remolding Gales". Mid Cities Daily News. November 15, 1967. p. 6. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  6. ^ "Pro League To Operate 2 Divisions". The Vancouver Sun. January 5, 1968. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
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