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The Sacramento Gold was an American soccer club based in Sacramento, California that was a member of the American Soccer League. They were original called the Sacramento Spirits when founded in 1976. During their final months of existence in the 1980 season they were known as the Sacramento Spirit.

History

In the team's inaugural season they failed to qualify for the ASL playoffs. In the 1977 season the Spirits won the West Division and made it to the ASL championship game. During the 1978 season the Spirits' ASL membership was canceled for failing to fulfill the obligations of the ASL constitution.^[1] They were replaced by a new team owned by local cabinet manufacturer, John Andreotti. Less than two weeks later the "new" franchise was named the Sacramento Gold and inherited the Spirits' 2–4–0 record, players, and remaining schedule.^[2]^[3] In 1979 Sacramento won the ASL title. For their part, the Gold ceased operations on July 16, 1980.^[4] In a situation similar to 1978, the Gold was replaced by the Spirit, however this time it was the club's boosters that assumed the responsibility of running the club.^[5]^[6] In the 1980 season the Sacramento club won the American Conference and reached the ASL title game for the third time in four years.

Coaches

Dick Ott (1976)^[7]
Bernard Hartze (1976)^[8]
Bob Ridley (1976–77)
Bill Williams (1979–80)

Yearly Awards

ASL Coach of the Year

1977 - Bob Ridley

ASL Rookie of the Year

1977 - Mal Roche
1978 - Emilio John

ASL All-Star Team

ASL Leading Points Scorer

1979 - Ian Filby (45 Points)

Year-by-year

Year	Division	League	Reg. Season	Playoffs	U.S. Open Cup
1976	2	ASL	5th, West	Did not qualify	Did not enter
1977	2	ASL	1st, West	Final	Did not enter
1978	2	ASL	4th, Western	Did not qualify	Did not enter
1979	2	ASL	2nd, Western	Champion	Did not enter
1980	2	ASL	1st, American	Final	Did not enter

Honors

American Soccer League Champions (1): 1979
Runners-up (2): 1977, 1980
Participations in CONCACAF Champions' Cup: 1980

References

^ "ASL Spirits collapse". San Francisco Examiner. June 16, 1978. p. 65. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
^ Johnson, Kent (June 16, 1978). "Spirits Die, New ASL Club Born". Sacramento Bee. p. AA1. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
^ "Gold Fails". Sacramento Bee. June 23, 1978. p. C2. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
^ Graswich, R.E. (July 17, 1980). "Gold Fails In Bailout Try, Ceases Operation". Sacramento Bee. p. F1. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
^ Graswich, R.E. (July 23, 1980). "ASL Accepts Boosters To Run Soccer Team". Sacramento Bee. p. D1. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
^ "ASL Team Christened The 'Spirit'". Sacramento Bee. July 30, 1980. p. C1. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
^ "Dick Ott appointed pro soccer coach". The Journal News (Hamilton, Ohio). January 22, 1976. p. 19. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
^ Weinstein, Leo (July 28, 1976). "ASL Spirits' coach fired". San Francisco Examiner. p. 51. Retrieved November 30, 2018.