USL's San Diego Loyal to fold after 2023 season

USL club San Diego Loyal, co-owned and founded by Landon Donovan, will "cease operations" following the 2023 season. The decision was made "after a near- and long-term stadium solution in the market did not materialize," and it comes as an MLS franchise is expected to begin play in San Diego in 2025. The Loyal started "exploring paths to build its own stadium" as early as 2020, their first season, with pushes for a $15M to $20M "modular stadium." There was "little sign" that the Loyal were a "club in turmoil given on-field form and community support." The situation is "eerily parallel" to former USL club St. Louis FC, who "ceased operations following the announcement of St. Louis City SC's impending entry into MLS" (THE ATHLETIC, 8/24).



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