The Mexican boxer and multiple-time world champion believes San Diego FC can quickly become one of the best teams in MLS
Canelo Alvarez overjoyed that San Diego in MLSHopes they get a strong support from the San Diego fansBelieves new team can be competitive in MLSGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
With the MLS season less than a month from kickoff, pre-season training is in full flow for expansion team San Diego FC – and fans are excited to see what the MLS’ newest team can do.
The club found time to take a break from training, with star Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez visiting the team. The four-division world champion and entrepreneur was excited to see the newly created side, and has high hopes for the team’s future in MLS
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT CANELO ALVAREZ SAIDSan Diego FCTHE BIGGER PICTURE
San Diego FC are the newest MLS side, having only been founded in May 2023 after the league decided to award the club’s ownership group an expansion team. They've quickly gained momentum, with more than 5000 season tickets sold a day after the announcement.
In November 2024, Juan Mata joined the club’s ownership group and became the first active soccer player to hold an ownership stake in the MLS. The Spaniard is the second professional athlete in San Diego’s ownership group and joins San Diego Padres’ star Manny Machado.
In September, San Diego FC announced that Mikey Varas had been appointed the club's first head coach. Varas joins San Diego after most recently serving as interim coach of the U.S. men's national team.
In addition to his time with the USMNT, Varas also served as U.S. U-20 men's national team head coach, helping the U.S. qualify for the Olympics by winning the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Varas has also served as a USMNT scout at the 2022 World Cup while also spending three years as an assistant coach at FC Dallas.
(C)Getty ImagesWhat’s Next for San Diego FC?
San Diego have made quite an impact in the transfer market, signing former Napoli and PSV Eindhoven star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. The Mexican international joined the club in June 2024 as their first-ever Designated Player and has since been joined by former Brighton and Hove Albion winger Anders Dreyer.
The moves already has fans excited for the season to start, with the side set to kick off their debut MLS season with an away game against the reigning MLS Cup winners Los Angeles Galaxy.
