Cliff Notes on the News

Cliff Notes on the News

Veteran San Diego news director and reporter Cliff Albert shares his thoughts on the latest news and stories each weekday at 7:22am. Full Bio

 

Kicking Around the History and Politics of Football in San Diego

The  story about the San Diego Loyal soccer team is ending on a sad note.

Their story began four years ago when soccer fans were happy to have the San Diego Loyal, even if they were in the second division professional soccer league.

But now that the top professional Major League Soccer league has decided to bring a team to San Diego, the owners of the San Diego Loyal, making the announcement that they are forced to shut down.

You have to wonder if things would have all been different or maybe not have happened at all had it not been what the owners of the American style football team that called San Diego home for more than 50 years, had not decided to abandon San Diego and move to L-A.

With the Chargers gone and Qualcomm falling apart, a fierce political battle developed over a plan for what was called Soccer City in Mission Valley versus San Diego State’s proposal for a project that included a college football stadium, an expansion of the campus along with housing and retail.

While the Soccer City proposal lost, the new Snapdragon Stadium became a reality and the new home of the Aztec football team, and also large enough and well suited to attract an MLS team that will be playing there starting in 2025.

So soccer fans in San Diego will have their soccer, SDSU now has a top level football stadium and the Chargers will probably one day be long forgotten, unless the NFL decides to finally get smart and bring a team back.

(Photo reporting partner 10 News)


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content