It was a noble idea last year when the San Diego Loyal embarked on its maiden USL Championship season with a plan to honor the various communities that comprise the team’s diverse fan base.
A part of the club’s initiative, the Loyal planned to host a different community event throughout its home schedule to introduce fans from within San Diego County to its product.
Chula Vista Community Night was scheduled to kick things off during the team’s second home match at the University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium, but it never transpired after the early part of the season was put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though play resumed later in the summer, no fans were permitted inside Torero Stadium.
The absence of spectators obviously put a monkey wrench into further plans to host community engagements.
The club has since resurrected its community outreach program over the course of the remainder of this season.
The revamped 18/86 initiative aims to connect the team to the 18 cities and 86 communities within San Diego County by engaging fans, raising awareness about communities and bring neighbors together through week-long festivities.
Activities include practices at local fields, team lunches at local restaurants, volunteer efforts, community events and unique ways to highlight local small businesses. The week will end in celebration of that city or neighborhood at one of the Loyal’s home matches.
“A sports fanbase is an unparalleled community that has the ability to bring together complete strangers, who may otherwise have nothing in common, and strengthen bonds,” said Ricardo Campos, interim president of SD Loyal. “It’s important to us that we, as a local professional soccer club, not only connect with our community face-to-face, but bring neighbors together. This is not only part of our club values, but the true essence of our sport. We have an entire community relations team dedicated to 18/86 and we know these mini neighborhood festivals will be a highlight each season.”
Chula Vista will once again be featured in the reformatted community initiative when the Loyal hosts the Tacoma Defiance this Sunday at Torero Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
The city of Carlsbad will be honored in October.
The Loyal continues to have a South County presence in its second season. The team normally trains at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, though it held a training session at Hilltop High School on Tuesday as part of festivities leading up to Sunday’s community event match.
The Loyal also has three players on its roster who hail from Chula Vista: goalkeeper Austin Guerrero (Otay Ranch High School) and Mater Dei Catholic High School alums Alejandro Guido and Jordan Chavez.
Guerrero recorded his second shutout of the season in a nil-nil draw at the Oakland Roots this past weekend. Guerrero also blanked the Roots in a 1-0 home win on June 29.
Guido, a midfielder, earned honors earlier this season as the league’s player of the week after he scored a goal and had an assist to lead the Loyal’s 2-1 comeback win against the LA Galaxy II on June 12.
Cornerkicks
The Loyal (10 wins, nine losses, four ties) remains in second place in the Pacific Division following last weekend’s scoreless draw at the Oakland Roots. Second place in the division standings clinches a home playoff match.
The Loyal enters Sunday’s game against Tacoma with a three-match unbeaten streak.
Nine games remain in regular season play as the Loyal makes a push for inclusion in postseason play.
SD Loyal at Hilltop High School
Photos by John Salts
