The first-ever San Diego FC match at Snapdragon Stadium was a euphoric and positive celebration overall.

However, apart from the Hirving Lozano injury, there was also another sour topic that really dampened the night.

A discriminatory chant that was made popular in Mexican football culture was heard loudly and several times throughout the night. This chant, often referred to as the “goalkeeper chant,” is fans yelling out a homophobic slur when the opposing team clears a goal kick.

This chant has already been condemned by CONCACAF and Liga MX, as teams of fans who have done this have suffered repercussions. In Liga MX, there is even a protocol that can end the game being suspended if the chant is continuously heard.

San Diego FC Sporting Director Tyler Heaps on those chants. @EVT_News pic.twitter.com/27VLzk4HW9

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) March 2, 2025

This was disappointing to see in the first-ever MLS club match at Snapdragon Stadium, but it did not represent everybody there. Not everyone in the stadium participated, and SDFC’s main supporters’ group, ” La Frontera,” did not participate either.

Mikey Varas called out the chant at his post-game press conference, and he started the presser by speaking out about the chant in Spanish. “The Chant that was heard tonight is unacceptable. It’s outside of our values system. It doesn’t represent the players, myself, the club and it certainly doesn’t represent San Diego or Baja California. It’s not a reflection of who we are”, said Varas.

“I want to make sure that everyone knows that it was not from our main supporters’ group, La Frontera. They match the same values as us. they believe the same as us; they are our teammates.”

SDFC Sporting Director Tyler Heaps also talked about the unfortunate chant heard at Snapdragon Stadium. It’s totally against our values as a club and also who we are as people. One of our core values is being a good person, and I think that is what we will continue to stand behind. It’s totally unacceptable, and obviously, we, as a club, will make sure it does not continue, and it is something we are very strong with, ” said Heaps.

SDFC players were also asked about the subject in the post-game press availability. Paddy McNair said, “We don’t want that here.” While Anibal Godoy spoke out about the discriminatory chant in Spanish.

Anibal Godoy spoke out against the chant. “We try to be a family club with a very respectful culture”.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/5cqW50PWWl

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 2, 2025

“I think the show was beautiful until the end of the second half. It’s not our culture. We try to be a family club with a very respectful culture. Us as Latinos, I identify a lot with that. For me it is sad because we can be fined, we can be banned, we can play without fans, you never know. A stadium like this, a franchise like this doesn’t deserve that. Hopefully, for the next game, God willing, we don’t hear those chants because, for us, it is hurtful,” said Godoy.

The atmosphere overall was a spectacle at the Mission Valley fortress, and like many said, hopefully, this is not a common occurrence. There was a plea to fans on the big screen for the chant not to continue, but several fans ignored this. There was also an announcement made that the game could be suspended, which is one of several repercussions that this chant can have around the league.

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.