Major League Soccer (MLS) began in 1995 with 10 founding teams. Three decades later, the league has expanded to 30 clubs, and San Diego FC will join the fold for the 2025 season.

Expansion teams generate excitement for the league and the city but also bring a degree of uncertainty. The 1998 Chicago Fire is a notable exception, having won both the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup in their debut season. Some teams have had strong starts, such as Los Angeles FC in 2018 and St. Louis City SC in 2023, while others, like FC Cincinnati in 2019, have faced immense challenges during their inaugural season.

Where will San Diego FC fit on this Spectrum?

Recent MLS history has included a range of expansion team performances. In its debut season, the Carlos Vela-led LAFC finished with a 16-9-9 record before being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. St. Louis made history by finishing atop the Western Conference with 17 wins, the most by an expansion team, but they also faced an early exit.

Eight MLS expansion teams have made the playoffs in their first season. Conversely, teams like Cincinnati and Austin FC endured difficult first seasons. Cincinnati, in particular, had a historically poor showing in 2019, finishing with a league-worst 24 points and conceding a record 75 goals.

DraftKings lists San Diego’s MLS Cup odds at +6500, tied with seven others. The new team, as expected, is viewed as long shots. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF, led by their new but inexperienced coach, Javier Mascherano, are the favorites (+370). They are closely followed by LAFC (+600) and the defending champions, the LA Galaxy, at +850.

Head coach Mikey Varas, 41, enters his first MLS season with a strong developmental background, having previously led the U.S. U-20 men’s national team to a Concacaf championship and Olympic qualification. His ability, along with the Right To Dream academy, to develop young talent will be key for a roster that blends experienced veterans with younger prospects.

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, the club’s first Designated Player, is at the forefront of this project. The 28-year-old from Mexico, who previously played for PSV Eindhoven, has won titles with every club he’s been on.

Chucky brings creativity, pace, excellent ball control, and excitement to San Diego. Soccer enthusiasts will likely remember his stunning goal against Germany in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which sent shockwaves at the start of the tournament.

Now playing closer to home, he’ll attract fans, especially those from across the border, to Snapdragon Stadium (35,000-seat capacity) to see him rep the Chrome & Azul jersey.

“I’m going to try to be at my highest level,” Lozano said during Tuesday’s press conference. “I am preparing very hard to reach the tournament in the best way and compete in the best way. I believe that my objectives are to give my best tools to the team as much as possible so that they can facilitate in the best way.”

Danish forwards Marcus Ingvartsen and Anders Dreyer join Lozano on the frontline. Both have experience in Europe and a track record as goal-scorers. Veteran Emmanuel Boateng, with nearly a decade of experience in MLS, brings a different style of attack and depth to the position.

SDFC’s midfield looks to be a strength. Jeppe Tverskov, the team captain, looks to anchor the middle and begin fastbreaks with his passing range. Luca de la Torre, a San Diego native, will add attacking creativity, while Anibal Godoy, a 35-year-old Panamanian international, brings leadership and defensive stability.

San Diego held its first practice in mid-January, and their season-opener is this Sunday, February 23, at LA Galaxy. This is a very short period for a brand-new team with players and coaches who have never met.

Sunday. Sunday. Sunday.

@LAGalaxy
@dignityhealthsp
4:00 p.m.
@MLS Season Pass on @appletv
@Sports760, @redespsn

Are you ready? pic.twitter.com/2KPq5tDj3W

— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) February 21, 2025

“It’s been a good preseason,” de la Torre said during this week’s media availability. “It’s been quite quick. We had three games against MLS teams and a few weeks of training, but we’ve got a lot of work done. I think Coachella went well, especially the last game (6-goal shutout win over New York). So now we’re ready for the start of the season.” Varas also stated that the team focused on three key areas during this preseason: Ensuring the players remain healthy and fit. Second, clarifying the style of play they want. Third, developing a “fighting team spirit amongst the team.”

The start of their campaign will have its growing pains. Don’t be surprised if the chemistry in the attacking third doesn’t develop quickly, and scoring opportunities are scarce. The defense will need to bear the load.

SDFC Sporting Director Tyler Heaps concentrated on enhancing the team’s backline by adding physicality and experience. One of the team’s key acquisitions is Andrés Reyes, a 25-year-old Colombian center-back. Northern Ireland international Paddy McNair has 219 appearances with Middlesbrough. Christopher McVey, who is 6-foot-3, is also expected to play a significant role. Fullbacks Jasper Loffelsend and Franco Negri add pace to the perimeter and MLS experience.

The position with the most uncertainty is the goalkeeper role. CJ Dos Santos, 24, looks to be the preferred choice, but he has only made one appearance in the league. Pablo Sisniega, a native of Mexico City, is 29 years old; however, he lacks extensive starting experience. Jacob Jackson is seen as the third option.

Given the team’s talent and structure, expectations are cautiously optimistic. History demonstrates that it is possible to achieve success in year one. San Diego will experience ebbs and flows throughout the season, but they must establish a solid foundation for the future.

If San Diego cracks double-digit wins this season, they will likely have a chance to be the 8th or 9th seed in the Western Conference—that would give them a Wild Card match, and if they survive, they will play the No. 1 seed in the first round.

The long-awaited journey begins this Sunday against the defending champions in Carson, California. A new rivalry will be born. Then, San Diego will have their season opener on Saturday, March 1, against St. Louis.

Sebastian Sanchez

Sebastian Sanchez was born and raised in San Diego. He recently received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Journalism from Arizona State University. A passionate storyteller who has experience covering the Phoenix Mercury and Suns. He has also written for multiple news outlets, reporting on various sports at the college and high school levels.