San Diego FC will face Mexico’s Club América in a series of exhibitions over the next few years, starting with a June 21 match at Snapdragon Stadium.
Club América serves as the 19th guaranteed game in SDFC’s season-ticket plans, but it also falls during an international break for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the biennial tournament for national teams in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
That means many of Club América’s top players likely will be on international duty, as well as SDFC’s Chucky Lozano, should Mexico call him for the Gold Cup.
Liga MX finishes the regular season in mid-April and the playoffs by mid-May, so June is its offseason. MLS is pausing its regular season this year for the Club World Cup and Gold Cup between June 15 and June 24.
Club América will return to Snapdragon in 2027 as part of the three-year deal. SDFC announced that the clubs “will also collaborate on community and marketing initiatives for the benefit of both fan bases.”
“This partnership with Club América is a groundbreaking opportunity to collaborate with one of the most historic clubs in Mexican football,” said SDFC CEO Tom Penn.
“We believe this is a great way to connect with ionate soccer fans throughout our region and look forward to hosting Club América at Snapdragon Stadium in 2025 and 2027, providing our fans with unforgettable experiences both on and off the field in a historic inaugural year for San Diego FC.”
SDFC acquires Tunisian teen from Philadelphia
San Diego FC acquired Anisse Saidi from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for $100,000 in general allocation money over the next two years and a future sell-on percentage.
SDFC then signed the 16-year-old Saidi to a contract through the end of the 2028 MLS season, with a club option for the ’29 season.
SDFC Sporting Director Tyler Heaps said Saidi “has already shown tremendous potential as a center forward.”
“While this is an exciting step in his career, we recognize that his journey is just beginning, and we are committed to providing him with the resources and he needs to continue his development,” Heaps said. “We look forward to seeing him continue to develop and thrive at SDFC.”
Saidi was part of the Philadelphia Union Academy. He made his pro debut for Philadelphia Union II in MLS NEXT Pro in 2024. The Tunisian national recently scored four goals at November’s U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Wave, van Egmond part ways
The San Diego Wave’s future won’t include another one of their original players.
The club announced Friday that it was parting ways with 31-year-old midfielder Emily van Egmond. The team said the decision was mutual.
“Emily has been a true professional both on and off the field with the club,” Wave Sporting Director and General Manager Camille Ashton said. “We are grateful for everything she has given to the team and wish her all the best in her future.”
In three seasons with San Diego, the Australian made 70 appearances, scoring two goals and adding an assist. Last January, van Egmond signed a two-year contract extension through the 2025 season.
Van Egmond is the latest original member of the franchise to part ways with the club.
Star striker Alex Morgan retired during the 2024 season, and the club traded or released three other original of the franchise: Taylor Kornieck (now Flint), Abby Dahlkemper and Sofia Jakobbson. The club traded Christen Westphal to the Houston Dash last month in exchange for an international roster spot and $14,000 in allocation money. Another original player, Amirah Ali, will not return for 2025.
San Diego enters the 2025 season with new owners (the Levine Leichtman family), a new coach (Jonas Eidevall, formerly of Arsenal) and with Ashton entering her first full season as GM. Midfielder Jaedyn Shaw, defender Naomi Girma and goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, all original of the club, are expected to be the centerpieces of the team’s ’25 roster.
The Wave acquired van Egmond and Flint from the Orlando Pride before the 2022 season in exchange for $125,000 of allocation money and San Diego’s second-round pick in the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League draft. The 2024 draft was the league’s last; the NWSL now allows teams to sign draft-eligible players to free-agent contracts.
