SAN DIEGO — After years of anticipation, San Diego FC is set to make its home debut on Saturday night, as it opens its doors to a sold-out Snapdragon Stadium. With fans eagerly awaiting a high-caliber professional sports team, the arrival of Major League Soccer’s latest team brings excitement to the soccer-hungry city.
San Diego FC, the newest and 30th franchise in MLS, kicks off its journey strong, having already announced its presence by defeating the reigning MLS Cup champions, LA Galaxy, on their turf last week. The upcoming home game marks a significant milestone, as the team christens Snapdragon Stadium, a new venue constructed on the site once occupied by the former homes of MLB’s Padres and the NFL’s Chargers.
For countless San Diego soccer enthusiasts, the advent of a top-tier soccer team in the city is a long-cherished dream now realized. With its ideal climate and strategic position on the Mexico border, San Diego is a natural home for soccer. However, despite these advantages, the city faced numerous unsuccessful attempts to secure a top North American league team. Now, for the first time, fans have a robust and financially backed team to rally behind.
Danish winger Anders Dreyer, known for his crucial goals in last week’s victory, expresses optimism about playing in this vibrant soccer community. “Hopefully it’s going to be a magical night, and we want to make it that for the fans and for the city,” Dreyer commented. “You can really feel the energy from the fans and the passion about now having a football team in San Diego. We need that 12th man at home.”
As San Diego FC gears up for its home turf debut against St. Louis SC, it’s expected to be an electrifying event, offering sports enthusiasts in the city a fresh team to support, filling the void left by previous professional teams. When the NFL’s Chargers relocated to Los Angeles in 2017, San Diego’s sports scene was left wanting, with the Padres as the sole representation among North America’s major pro sports. However, the addition of the NWSL’s San Diego Wave in 2022 signaled a shift in the city’s sports landscape.
In the U.S., every metropolitan area with a population exceeding 2.7 million supports at least two major league teams, but San Diego, with its distinct identity from its neighboring sport-saturated regions, had yet to meet this norm. The departure of the Chargers was partly attributed to the absence of a world-class soccer venue, illustrating a demand for quality sports facilities.
San Diego’s sports revival began with the demolition of the old Jack Murphy Stadium in 2021. The land was sold to San Diego State University, which then constructed Snapdragon Stadium, opening its doors in 2022. The idea of San Diego FC quickly morphed into a tangible reality following the facility’s completion, propelled by the involvement of Egyptian-born British billionaire Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, both of whom aimed to bring MLS to San Diego.
Their efforts led to securing MLS’s 30th team with a substantial $500 million expansion fee in May 2023. Just under two years later, a roster featuring stars like Mexican player Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, alongside Anders Dreyer, is eager to showcase their talent, sparking a renewed sporting spirit within the city.
