San Diego is set to become the 30th Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise, joining the ranks of some of the most successful soccer teams in the United States. The announcement was made by MLS Commissioner Don Garber on October 21, 2020, and the new team is expected to begin play in 2022.
The new team will be owned by a group of investors led by FS Investors, which includes former professional soccer players Landon Donovan and Demba Ba. The group has already secured a site for a new stadium in San Diego’s Mission Valley area, and they plan to build a 30,000-seat stadium that will be the home of the new team.
The addition of the MLS franchise to San Diego is expected to bring a major economic boost to the city. It is estimated that the new team will generate over $2 billion in economic activity over the next 30 years, including jobs and increased tourism. Additionally, the team will bring more attention to San Diego’s vibrant soccer culture, which already includes several successful youth soccer clubs and a thriving college soccer scene.
The MLS expansion into San Diego is part of the league’s larger plan to grow its presence in the United States and Canada. The league currently has 24 teams in the U.S. and three in Canada, and plans to expand to 30 teams by 2022. The addition of San Diego as the 30th MLS franchise is an exciting development for soccer fans across the country, and it will undoubtedly bring more attention to the sport in the United States.
San Diego is set to become the 30th Major League Soccer franchise, and it is sure to be an exciting addition to the league. With a new stadium on the way and an estimated $2 billion economic boost for the city, this move is sure to be a great success for both San Diego and the MLS.
