Landon Donovan’s San Diego Loyal SC announces it will fold at the end of the season as an MLS club arrives in 2025

Just weeks ago, San Diego Loyal SC – a club competing in the USL Championship, America’s second-division league – took on Borussia Dortmund in an international friendly. Today, the club has announced that they will be folding at the end of the year.

In an emotional statement, the club’s chairman – Andrew Vassiliadis revealed that the club had conducted an extensive search for a stadium and training facilities after their lease for the stadium at the University of San Diego had expired.

‘Over the last six months [we] have been looking at all viable options up and down the coast for us to find solutions for academy, for training facilities, for stadiums,’ Vassiliadis said. ‘From [the city of] Oceanside down to the [USA-Mexico] border, we’ve looked at everything and left no stone unturned.

‘Unfortunately, after looking at all of that, I have come to the conclusion that this will be the last season for San Diego Loyal.’

In a statement, USL Deputy CEO Justin Papadakis said, ‘Having a modern, commercially viable stadium solution is vital to our clubs’ long-term success and is a pillar of the USL’s growth strategy.’

The club’s chairman, Andrew Vassiliadis revealed the decision in an emotional statement

The club was founded in 2019 by Landon Donovan, who became the club’s first manager

‘Despite collectively pursuing multiple potential options with SD Loyal’s leadership in the San Diego area, an appropriate stadium solution has not materialized.’ 

The club was founded in 2019 by Warren Smith and former USMNT star Landon Donovan – with the club’s first match coming on March 7, 2020. 

This decision comes as San Diego begins preparing to welcome a Major League Soccer franchise to the city. 

Announced in May, a yet-to-be-named expansion franchise was given to ownership group of Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour as well as the Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay Nation of indigenous people.

That team has already agreed to play at the 35,000 seat Snapdragon Stadium on the campus of San Diego State University. Snapdragon also hosts San Diego Wave FC of the NWSL.

Donovan was announced as the club’s first manager and vice president of soccer operations. 

He finished his time as manager in 2022 when he was promoted to full time Director of Soccer Operations. Donovan had a record of 39-17-29 in that timespan before Nate Miller took over.

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