Arjun Menon
San Diego FC’s Unique Foundation
Creating a distinct identity is a challenge for any new football club. For San Diego FC, however, the solution was already in place. The club’s culture is deeply rooted in the Right to Dream football network, which began as an academy in Ghana and expanded to include FC Nordsjælland in Denmark and a presence in Egypt.
San Diego became the latest addition to this growing system, benefiting from a proven blueprint. Mikey Varas, the head coach, emphasized the importance of continuing this legacy. “We might be an expansion team,” he said, “but we have a lot of rich history with Right to Dream.”
A Vision of Success
Varas’ vision aligns with the network’s philosophy of winning with purpose. This approach has propelled San Diego to the top of the Western Conference, setting records for an expansion team. Varas’ coaching style, inspired by Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova‘s Barcelona, has been instrumental in their success.
“I love football. I think the best thing in life is playing football. And if you can’t do that, the next best thing is to be working in football.” – Mikey Varas
Building a New Identity
The team’s rapid success can be attributed to the unique dynamic among the players. Midfielder Anders Dreyer highlighted the advantage of starting fresh. “It was nice to get into a dressing room where every player wanted to be at the same place,” he said. Dreyer, who joined from Anderlecht, was already familiar with the Right to Dream project from his time in Denmark.
Dreyer has excelled in this model, with only Lionel Messi of Inter Miami having more goal involvement this season. His recent strike secured San Diego’s first-ever play-off win, a historic moment for the club.
A Community United
San Diego’s success on the field has been matched by a growing fanbase. The city, known for its passion for football, has embraced the new club. Steve Cabrera, chairman of supporters’ group Frontera SD, described the community spirit. “We have everybody coming to meet up in a parking lot before games and bringing food to share,” he said.
As San Diego continues to push boundaries, aiming to match the Chicago Fire as the only expansion team to win the MLS Cup, the fanbase grows stronger. Varas emphasized the importance of creating a sustainable project with high-level talent and shared purpose.