SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Professional soccer is coming to San Diego, thanks to the efforts of one of the game’s most influential players, Landon Donovan.
Donovan and investor Warren Smith have partnered to help launch a new USL Championship team in San Diego, according to Sports Illustrated.
The new USL franchise is expected to begin play in 2020 or 2021, with the team set to play its first three seasons at the University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium.
Donovan confirmed the details of SI’s article, tweeting: “I couldn’t be more excited about this new challenge and the opportunity to bring professional soccer to America’s Finest City!”
I couldn’t be more excited about this new challenge and the opportunity to bring professional soccer to America’s Finest City! Thank you to @TheWarrenSmith for your vision, guidance and passion. Let’s go San Diego!!!!! ⚽️⚽️⚽️ #USLSD #SoccerinSanDiego https://t.co/KxQbEKUzh1
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) June 19, 2019
The USL, which launched in 2011, currently has 36 teams in the U.S. and Canada. Several teams in the league are directly affiliated with MLS clubs.
Donovan, who came out of retirement this year to play for the San Diego Sockers of the Major Arena Soccer League, had been one of the key figures in the effort to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to San Diego via the SoccerCity project.
However, the SoccerCity initiative fell at the polls in November 2018.
