SDFC had some problems in the stands in the home opener, but certain measures may have resolved the issues.

In San Diego FC’s season-opener against St. Louis City a discriminatory chant in the stands put a bit of a damper on the festivities. This infamous chant, commonly referred to as the “goalkeeper chant,” has been a huge problem in Mexican soccer for years.

The Mexican national team has even faced repressions like fines and fans being banned from attending games because of it. There is a huge Mexican presence in San Diego FC’s fan base and this translated into the chant being used in the season-opener.

These type of sanctions also have the potential to also be applied to SDFC or any other MLS team.

Manager Mikey Varas, sporting director Tyler Heaps, and several players called out the chant after that game. SDFC took several measures to prevent the chant from being used in the second-ever home game against Columbus Crew.

This pamphlet is in every seat tonight at Snapdragon Stadium, asking fans not to do the infamous chant.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/BW4VYj54ch

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 16, 2025

This campaign started in the week leading up to this game with an official statement from the club. A flyer was paced in each seat at Snapdragon Stadium with a message that said “Not here, our club is for everyone, bring your energy, no discriminatory goalkeeper chants”. The flyer also said, “Violators will be ejected,” and also said all of this in Spanish.

The flyer was also featured facsimile signatures by SDFC CEO Tom Penn and Supporter Union President Miguel Barajas. It is important to note that SDFC’s main supporters group “La Frontera, never participated in this chant and was very vocal against it.

Before the match, head coach Mikey Varas, CEO Tom Penn and midfielder Anibal Godoy also said a message to the fans encouraging not to use this chant.

Anibal Godoy, head coach Mikey Varas and CEO Tom Penn all said a message to fans to not say the discriminatory chant.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/f0Vt7bC2dW

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 16, 2025

There was a very healthy crowd of 30,018 spectators at the match against Columbus Crew, and the atmosphere was electric as well. The discriminatory chant was used about two times in the game, but there were much less people participating in it.

The first time it was used, it was barely noticeable, while the other time came right at the final whistle. The club still put a warning on the screen when it was used at the final whistle.

The problem was almost completely neutralized in this second game with all the efforts by SDFC front office, social media, fans and players.

Head coach Mikey Varas talked about the atmosphere in Saturday’s game. “San Diego is such a special place. The vibe in this city is extraordinary. Like I said from the beginning, this is a city that champions respect”, said Varas.

“These type of changes will take time to get 100-percent, but I think we made a really good step in the right direction. At the end of the day I know the reflection of the city and the people. The vast, vast majority of the people of San Diego are 100-percent aligned with this idea of championing respect, love compassion and diversity.”

This is certainly an achievement from everyone involved in this campaign against the discriminatory chant. At its best, the atmosphere has been nothing short of incredible at Snapdragon Stadium for San Diego FC games.

The next home game is projected to be sold-out with LAFC visiting the Mission Valley fortress on March 29.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.