The Bakersfield Brigade have announced today that they have retained the rights of Kyle Gookins for their upcoming 2006 season.
Kyle Gookins played for the Brigade in their inaugural 2005 season and ended the season with 2 goals and 1 assist. Kyle has signed on for another season under coach, Jay Gore. “Gookins is what I consider a “seasoned” player, one who has been around the game for quite a while and can play more than one position on the field . . . that’s strength we can definitely use in our upcoming season,” stated Brigade coach Jay Gore.
Early in the Brigade 2005 season, Kyle started up front as a forward for the Brigade but as the season moved into July, Kyle’s strength and ability to shut down striking opponents allowed the Brigade to move him into the backfield where he finished the season with a strong defensive showing. “Having put Kyle in the backfield towards the end of the season, without a doubt, contributed to us wining our last 3 games of the season, with two of those games being on the road,” stated General Manager Joe Jimenez. “We’re very excited about having Kyle back for another season,” added Jimenez.
In other Brigade news, the team began airing their 30 minute infomercial “Inside the 18” with host Pep Fernandez this week, on both local cable networks. Inside the 18 was developed in an effort to help expand soccer awareness within the Greater Bakersfield community, as its’ focus is not all about Brigade soccer, but soccer in general. The first of several 30 minute segments planned over the next few months includes information pertaining to the Brigade’s inaugural year; current season ticket promotions; what’s in store for the 2nd season; and a wrap up of several Youth team tournament results over the Thanksgiving holiday season. For additional information on times to catch Inside the 18, visit the Brigade website.
The Brigade is a PDL soccer team, playing within the United Soccer Leagues’ PDL Southwestern Conference which is made up of nine teams throughout California.
