Photo Credit Major League Soccer
As announced in the past days, San Diego officially become the 30th team to make its debut in Major League Soccer in 2025. Something that Commissioner Don Garber saw and liked was how America’s Finest City is a gateway between the United States and Mexico and being one of his favorite targets.
This city’s vibrant youth soccer scene, its history, producing professional players, multicultural diversity found across its neighborhoods, welcomes this new franchise to make its debut in 2025.
An amazing ownership group and its one-of-a-kind efforts, played a big role in making San Diego the ideal candidate for getting the nod as the next team in MLS.
It was formally announced Thursday morning at Snapdragon Stadium that San Diego was to become the 30th team in Major League Soccer. This club will make Snapdragon Stadium its permanent home on the campus of San Diego State University as well share with NWSL’s San Diego Wave that already has smashed a number of attendances records.
The ownership group contains an eclectic mix of across the world with each prong sharing a unified vision for top flight soccer in San Diego.
As Egypt born entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist Mohamed Mansour being at the forefront as well the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation (being the first Native American tribe with an ownership stakein professional soccer in the United States), as well as a number of celebrities such as San Diego Padres infielder Manny Machado being part of the investor group.
In addition of Right to Dream founder Tom Veron, starting in Ghana in 1999 and expanding globally with a much-acclaimed player development methodology and providing a youth focused outlook framing in San Diego.
“With partners like this, with the experience and the passion for the sport of soccer and football, and our passion for the city of San Diego, there will be no stopping the success of this club,” said Sycuan tribal chairman Cody Martinez, whose community has roots of 12,000-plus years in San Diego.
With a most celebratory mood, the spirit of competition emerging, this new club will make its debut one year before the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada and the third year of the Apple-MLS partnership.
Somehow, I do foresee a very top of the line competition as well rivalry with the LA Galaxy and LAFC elevating the competition up a notch in years to come. As Padres Infielder Manny Machado stated, “Looking forward to bringing a championship here”
With the sprint toward 2025 officially underway, Mansour offered a reminder about what is beginning. The sport already has deep roots in San Diego, and they’re simply building off them with a vision of what’s to come.
“This soccer club is your soccer club. It belongs to this city. We are merely custodians,” said Mansour. “It’s your community and this soccer club is going to be here in San Diego for a long, long time.”
Source: Major League Communications
