San Diego FC will be making their MLS debut this year after becoming the league’s 30th team.
The city has long been a hotbed for soccer, without having a long-term side in any national league. Now the MLS newcomers are looking to make an impact, having already landed a major signing to make their mark on the league.
San Diego FC roster
San Diego FC have been busy putting together a squad for their maiden MLS season. US Under -17 international Duran Ferree became their first signing in December 2023, but he isn’t expected to play a part in the first-team squad this season.
The club’s first and only Designated Player signing so far is Mexican international Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano, who played in Europe for PSV Eindhoven and Napoli.
The roster has been filled out with players from FC Nordsjaelland thanks to their links with the Right to Dream academy, while Northern Ireland international Paddy McNair adds Premier League experience.
Player | Position | Former team |
CJ dos Santos | GK | Inter Miami |
Jacob Jackson | GK | San Jose Earthquakes |
Pablo Sisniega | GK | San Antonio FC |
Christopher McVey | DF | D.C. United |
Hamady Diop | DF | Charlotte FC |
Paddy McNair | DF | West Bromwich Albion |
Franco Negri | DF | Inter Miami |
Heine Gikling Bruseth | MF | Orlando City |
Anibal Godoy | MF | Nashville SC |
Jasper Loffelsend | MF | Nashville SC |
Alex Mighten | MF | FC Nordsjaelland |
Jeppe Tverskov | MF | FC Nordsjaelland |
Manu Duah | MF | UC Santa Barbara |
Emmanuel Boateng | MF | New England Revolution |
Hirving Lozano | FW | PSV Eindhoven |
Tomas Angel | FW | Los Angeles FC |
Marcus Ingvartsen | FW | FC Nordsjaelland |
Anisse Saidi | FW | Philadelphia Union |
San Diego FC coaches
The club’s first head coach is Mikey Varas, who had a brief stint in charge of the USMNT as an interim boss for two games in 2024.
Varas is from the San Francisco Bay area and he worked his way up from an academy coach in Sacramento and Dallas to a role in the national setup. This will be his first job as a club head coach.
His support staff includes Frank Hjortebjerg, Kelvin Jones, Fuciano Fusco and Jason Grubb.
San Diego FC ownership
The team is owned by British-Egyptian businessman Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.
The Mansour Group also owns FC Nordsjaelland and the Right to Dream academy, creating a link with the MLS newcomers.
The club’s ownership group also includes San Diego Padres player Manny Machado and former Spanish international footballer Juan Mata.
San Diego FC stadium
San Diego FC will play at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, which is located within the campus of San Diego State University.
The stadium is the home of the university’s football team, but it was designed with aspects of a soccer-specific stadium. The San Diego Wave of the NWSL also play at the ground, which can host 34,248 people for soccer matches.
San Diego FC schedule
Opponent | Date | Time | Location |
LA Galaxy | February 23, 2025 | 7 PM ET | Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles |
St Louis City | March 1, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Real Salt Lake | March 8, 2025 | 9:30 PM ET | America First Field, Salt Lake City |
Columbus Crew | March 15, 2025 | 9:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Austin FC | March 23, 2025 | 3 PM ET | Q2 Stadium, Austin |
Los Angles FC | March 29, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Seattle Sounders | April 5, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Colorado Rapids | April 12, 2025 | 9:30 PM ET | Dick’s Sporting Goods Park |
Charlotte FC | April 19, 2025 | 7:30 PM ET | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte |
Real Salt Lake | April 26, 2025 | 7:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
FC Dallas | May 3, 2025 | 9 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
St Louis City | May 10, 2025 | 8:30 PM ET | Energizer Park, St Louis |
Colorado Rapids | May 14, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Sporting KC | May 17, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
LA Galaxy | May 24, 2025 | 4:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Seattle Sounders | May 28, 2025 | 8:30 PM ET | Lumen Field, Seattle |
Austin FC | May 31, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Minnesota United | June 14, 2025 | 8:30 PM ET | Allianz Field, Saint Paul |
Vancouver Whitecaps | June 25, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | BC Place, Vancouver |
FC Dallas | June 28, 2025 | 8:30 PM ET | Toyota Stadium, Dallas |
Houston Dynamo | July 5, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Chicago Fire | July 12, 2025 | 8:30 PM ET | Soldier Field, Chicago |
Toronto FC | July 16, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Vancouver Whitecaps | July 19, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Nashville SC | July 25, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Sporting KC | August 9, 2025 | 8:30 PM ET | Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City |
San Jose Earthquakes | August 17, 2025 | 7 PM ET | PayPal Park |
Portland Timbers | August 23, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Los Angeles FC | August 31, 2025 | TBD | BMO Stadium, Los Angeles |
Minnesota United | September 13, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Atlanta United | September 20, 2025 | 4:30 PM ET | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
San Jose Earthquakes | September 27, 2025 | 10:30 PM ET | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
Houston Dynamo | October 4, 2025 | 8:30 PM ET | Shell Energy Stadium, Houston |
Portland Timbers | October 18, 2025 | 9 PM ET | Providence Park, Portland |
Related Articles
MLS
Major League Soccer: 2025 schedule, teams, format, how to watch
The 2025 Major League Soccer season kicks off on February 21st, as the LA Galaxy look to defend their MLS Cup title.
bet365 News Team
Dec 26 2024
MLS
The 10 Longest-Serving Managers in MLS History
A look at the 10 managers with the longest tenures in Major League Soccer.
Rusty Gorelick
Jan 07 2025
