If there was any doubt about the local appetite for an MLS franchise, San Diego FC’s brand announcement event on Friday proved why the Southern California market was the ideal choice.
Hours before the event’s 7:30 p.m. start time, long lines of supporters — around 8,000, according to Tom Penn, the club’s chief executive — snaked around Snapdragon Stadium, home of the NWSL’s San Diego Wave and future home of San Diego FC as the franchise prepares for its first season in 2025. Fans were dressed in the colours of their favourite Premier League and La Liga clubs, as well as the Wave and San Diego Loyal.
While San Diego FC is content with distancing themselves from public feuds with the Loyal, even going as far as Penn publicly wishing the club good luck for their upcoming USL Championship playoff game at the event, the Loyal have announced this season will be their last in response to the announcement of San Diego FC as the latest MLS franchise.
The Loyal, co-owned by USMNT and MLS legend Landon Donovan, had been one of the USL’s more successful franchises, with one of the league’s most fervent and passionate fanbases. The club reached the postseason in 2020 — its first year in the league — and 2021, and will face Phoenix Rising in the USL Championship conference…
