Former US national team legend Landon Donovan has announced that he will take up the role of executive vice president of the United Soccer League‘s (USL) newest franchise, based out of San Diego.
The team will enter the second-tier of the USL in 2021, with the option of bringing this forward to 2020 and they will play their home fixtures at the University of San Diego‘s 6,000-seater Torero Stadium.
Donovan, who played 157 times between 2000 and 2014 and scored 57 goals for the USMNT, will act as the Executive VP as well as being an investor in the franchise.
He spent some time at Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Everton during his career, however, the bulk of his playing days came in the MLS with L.A. Galaxy.
In an official statement, Donovan gave thanks to the franchise’s co-founder Warren Smith among others: “I chose San Diego as my home and have personally been focused on bringing professional soccer to the community. Thanks to Warren, USL and our incredible team, that dream has become reality.
“I am ecstatic to be a part of this talented group and the newest addition to the USL Championship. I’m looking forward to our opening night in Torero Stadium and the stands being filled with smiles, chants and cheers from my fellow residents of America’s Finest City.”
Warren Smith added his own comments: “San Diego has long been a place that celebrated the beautiful game and demonstrated its passion for soccer both in those that play and watch. What it hasn’t had, and now will, is a club to call its own.
“I look forward to becoming the steward of building this club with the community and to seeing what we can accomplish together.”
As reported in SoccerToday.com, Donovan is feeling positive about what the future may hold for the new franchise in San Diego. He added: “This checks off every box of everything I wanted to do, I have always wanted to run a team and to bring soccer to San Diego.
“It is almost too good to be true. I am very grateful. I feel that I am the one winning here.
“It is a great responsibility – and, I am going to run with this.”
