July 31, 2025 • 52 mins
It’s January 2025, and just weeks before SDFC embarks on its maiden season.
The training facility at Singing Hills finally opens its doors — just in the nick of time! But not before pausing to celebrate the land and the people who made it possible.
As Tyler puts the finishing touches on his playing squad, we join Mikey and his new players for their very first training session… the countdown to kickoff has begun!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
It's Sunday, February twenty third, twenty twenty five. It's been
twenty one months since it was announced that San Diego
would finally be joining Major League Soccer. That was less
than two years ago, just six hundred and forty seven
days to build an organization, construct a world class training facility,
(00:28):
recruit a team, and detract a fan base, and it
all comes down to this match Day one, and what
an opening fixture they've been handed as DFC traveled to
the home of the reigning record holding champions m LESS
Superpower and regional rivals LA Galaxy for the members of
(00:48):
the club's official supporters union. It's been a long wait.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Good morning. My name is Matthew Boose, and I am
the president of the Riptides, And yeah, I'm sitting here
at my house kind of getting some stuff packed, getting
some stuff ready for our trip out to Carson, LA
for our first ever away game, and sitting here very nervous,
(01:18):
trying not to exert myself too much. Right now. This
is gonna be a long day of making sure everybody
has a really good time.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
The rip Tides, like the other club supporter groups, have
sold out their ticket allocation, which means.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Eight thousand of San Diego's.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
Most hardcore, hyped up fans are making the four hour
trip north to Los Angeles.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
It's pretty wild to think that just a couple years
ago we started up not only riptides, but SDFC came
to form and yeah, we're I'm just sitting here looking
all the discord messages for riptides kind of starting to
(02:04):
roll in as everybody's waking up and getting hyped up
and whatnot.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
One of those posting on the group chat is Vanessa Behadan.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
I'm getting ready and the last thing I have to
do is put on my jersey before I head out
and head to Dignity Health for this game. Watching it
in person here in Carson, California, It's going to be epic.
Speaker 5 (02:35):
You know.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
I can and I cannot believe that we have finally
needed here. I have butterflies, butterflies of excitement, of nervousness,
and what am I nervous about? I have no idea.
I'm trying to.
Speaker 6 (02:51):
Save my more jumping excitement for in the crowd, screaming, singing,
and team to show everyone who's watching this game in
person and on TV like San.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Diego's here, we're here MLS has started this season with
San Diego FC. We are ready.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Many of those who don't have tickets to the game
will descend on one of San Diego's many soccer bars,
bars like the Bluefoot in North Park.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Hi, this is Paul Hutchinson.
Speaker 5 (03:40):
I am one of the cope sentences on Fuzzy from
the Foot, which is a podcast that comes from the
Blue Foot, neighborhood bar and lungs in the houts of
San Diego's glittering Northwark.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Paul is a transplant to the city from the northwest
of England and a long suffering Bolton fan. But today,
seeing his favorite bar packed out, surrounded by soccer Matt
friends who are about to see how long held dream
become reality, he can't help.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
But feel his loyalties shift a little.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
But like many, he's not overly optimistic about San Diego
f c's chances.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
I mean, probably the toughest away game that they could
have been given for their first game. That's you know,
carricter building and all that, and let's see how they do.
And it's a little bit of a free hit for them,
I suppose, And yeah, see if it all pans.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
Out, whatever the score It's a historic day when loser draw.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
This is just the.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Beginning of sdfc's MLS story. As the team steps onto
the pitch to warm up around the bar, chance for
Irby and CHUCKI Rosanda begin one miles north back at
(05:09):
the Dignity Helped Sports Parking Carson kickoff approaches, and the
atmosphere in the away stand is Electric.
Speaker 7 (05:18):
Canada Paper joining us for today's printing. O'bayan Nadello featuring
the visiting San Diego FC, has ay take on your
Turnout and twenty four and six times hand less cook
a chip in Hell, Thanks.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Oh Man.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Seventeen minutes until game time, until everybody's like really antsy
and just really ready to go. The whole crowd up
here is watching the players warm up on the field,
drinking some beers and really can join the music. They're
living it up. You can tell everybody, including myself, it
is just in awe of the moments, really just the
(06:08):
moment that we all work so hard for. It's really
surreal to see our team finally on the pitch for
our first ever game. Words can't explain how much this
means to me, and I'm sure the rest of all
of San Diego. San Diego, this is for you.
Speaker 8 (06:24):
We did it.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
And we are underway. On Sunday Night Soccer the first
of a match.
Speaker 9 (06:32):
For San Diego FC away at the Raigning Chance the
La Galaxy.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
In February twenty five, San Diego FC became the thirtieth
team to enter major leagues, now the largest professional league
on the planet. But this is more than just another
football club. At least that's the hope of the club's
co owners. Under the leadership of Sir Mohammed Montsour, Right
to Dream is an organization promising to rock American soccer
(07:15):
to its foundations with a revolutionary approach to coaching and
youth development. Anchoring the project in the local community is
the Sequan Band of the Kumiga Nation, the first ever
Native American owners in men's professional sports, and as the
only MLS club officially sanctioned to recruit out of Mexico.
(07:36):
I mean, this thing could really fly, that is, if
everything goes to plan. In this episode, preseason finally gets underway.
Sporting director Tyler Heaps puts the finishing touches on the
squad and coach Badus welcomes his players for the very
first time the clock is ticking. The countdown to Game
(07:56):
one has begun. Captured in the fire months before the
twenty twenty five season kicks off, this series follows sdfc's
race to field their first ever team. I'm Adrian, gotta say,
I'm OUTIKS and this is Behind the Flow, the origin
story of San Diego FC. It's the morning of January tenth,
(08:38):
twenty twenty five, and the California sun is beaming down
on the newly minted Sharp Healthcare Performance Center at Singing Hills.
This site has been a hive of NonStop activity for
the past fifteen months, but today all is quiet. Construction
crews have paused their work to mark a special occasion.
(09:00):
As DFC staff and members of the Sequan community sit
together under club branded canopies. They give Tribal Chairman Cody
Martinez a round of applause.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
As he takes the stage.
Speaker 10 (09:14):
General membership, team members, members of the FC operation and
community partners. Everyone who's here, welcome for joining us today.
This is a very special day for Sequan and indeed
for Segnego County as a whole. Today's event is a
special event as we bless this new project in our
(09:36):
Kumi tradition, blessing the future use of this facility with
smoke of the white stage, songs and dances and prayers
of the Kumiai people passed down from our ancestors. I
want to again thank you all for being here today.
Especially you want to again thank the general membership for
the support, vision and belief in this long term investment
(10:00):
for the tribe. We are truly making history here today
twenty twenty five marks one hundred and fifty years since
the creation of the Sequan Indian Reservation, the original one
square mile of land created by Presidential executive order in
December of the year eighteen seventy five. We are here
(10:21):
to bless a new chapter in the history of this land,
a new beginning that will support future generations in sport
and education. Congratulations to all of our Sequa membership here
today on this amazing accomplishment. And at this time, it
is my pleasure to introduce Councilman Jamie Lebrek.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Tribal elder.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Uncle Jamie and his niece emerged from inside the buildings
where they've just now completed their ritual blessings.
Speaker 11 (10:51):
Thank you Chairman. At this time I'm going to go ahead,
and I'm going to offer this stage in all four
directions as a creator, to bless me, to ornor everybody
here today with some kind words and words that are
meaningful and purposeful, because I acknowledge not just our community,
(11:12):
but the community of right to Dream and how important
they are to us.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Jamie strikes a match and lights the bunch of dright
sage in his hand. The aromatic smoke gently swirls around him.
His lips move silently, offering a prayer to the tribes's ancestors.
Speaker 11 (11:31):
When me and my niece were walking around, we got
to the east side over there, and it felt so peaceful,
it felt so serene, And I knew then that our
ancestors above us were rejoiced in this perfect union. Our
ancestors above is. They knew that the Right to Dream Academy,
the Monsur family, and the Commune nation were exercising or
(11:54):
committing to this perfect union, that this was the right
thing for our people. Maybe one day we'll see a
couple of Kuma young men or women running these fields
and practicing. Maybe one day day two can exemplify what
that right the dream is, because that's why night was created.
You see in our way of night was created, a
dream in the daytime was created to live those dreams,
(12:16):
and that's what these fields are going to represent today.
So thank you everybody. I'd like to call up a
blue Egld Bubbo, my cousin Ernie and my nephew Justins.
We cop and shared those songs with you.
Speaker 12 (12:34):
I I.
Speaker 13 (12:46):
Mom God him Alaa.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
After the traditional songs and dances have been performed, CEO
Tom Penn addresses the audience.
Speaker 14 (13:27):
We've said all along, this feels like holy land and
to bring right to dream here.
Speaker 15 (13:33):
It's emotional.
Speaker 14 (13:35):
If we can bring the right to dream way to
this special place in Singing Hills, with all these brilliant
minds that are here to bring their passion and their creativity,
how special could it be?
Speaker 3 (13:48):
And it should be the best in.
Speaker 14 (13:49):
North America and among the best in the world.
Speaker 15 (13:52):
Literally, so on behalf of the one hundred and forty
employees at SDFC, the twenty two players twenty three how
many players do we have? Twenty two players, tyler and counting,
and then the tens of thousands who have said yes
to us already, the members of San Diego Football Club,
(14:13):
our season ticket holders, our corporate partners. Everybody, we say
thank you to Sequan sharing your land with this project.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Last to speak is the club's head coach. As Mikey
takes the podium, he clears his.
Speaker 8 (14:28):
Throat, thank you, Chairman, appreciate you, council members, the Sequan ancestors. Frankly,
hearing the passion and the ancestry and the connectedness there
made me quite emotional. Actually makes me realize just how
grateful I am to be just the smallest part of
(14:52):
this much bigger story. When it comes to the Takuan
and it comes to write to dream, and every day
I wake up and I pinch myself as I understand
where I'm at right now, and I also understand the
responsibility that that comes with We talk about a blessing, well,
every day the players and the staff come in here,
(15:13):
we will feel blessed and we will understand the honor
that it will require from us to make sure that
we're a reflection of this Quan and the history that
comes with the land.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
One man who cherishes the community partnership being built here
in San Diego is the club's majority owner Right to
Drink Chairman Sir Mohammed Mansour.
Speaker 16 (15:38):
In May twenty twenty two, first time, when Commissioner Don
Garber was there, I felt the passion of defense amazing.
And how we were welcomed by everyone as you know, Egyptian,
British citizen of course, you know our partners, How we
(15:58):
were welcomed in San Diego. I mean that was very
touching for me too, because in reality, I am an
emotional man, you know, I'm a person that feels for people,
you know, and having this welcoming, you know, everything is positive,
and even the media that you know I've spoken to,
we're positive, and this really gives us. It's more of
(16:21):
a challenge because then we have to meet their expectations
and get there. So this is the challenge that we have.
Speaker 1 (16:27):
So what about meeting those expectations? How does he think
the club will do in their first season?
Speaker 16 (16:34):
Can you ask me that question after the first three
games so I can give you a more I mean,
I mean there's hope, you know, I mean expectations. We're winners.
I mean I don't get into anything. You know, we push,
we push, we push, you know. I mean we want
(16:54):
to be a winning team, whether it be in three years,
whether it be in five. We want to be a
winning team that makes our fans sprout and makes the
community proud and makes us proud. So that's the objective.
I know the first game is going to be a
tough one with Ellie Galaxy in Los Angeles. I'm definitely
gonna be there. Tom Penn asked me if I can
(17:15):
be there in January or to of them, I'll be
there whenever they want. So very exciting times, very exciting times.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
As the ceremony draws to a close, the construction teams
are anxious to get back to work. There's still plenty
to be done and no time to lose. Tom Penn
has been in and out all week watching the finishing
touches being applied to the first team facilities.
Speaker 17 (17:40):
Well, you can hear construction noise in the background.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
You know.
Speaker 17 (17:43):
The staff moved in on Monday, six days ago. They've
been working their tails off to get this right. They
were still assembling furniture, they were hanging TVs on the wall.
Speaker 8 (17:54):
You know.
Speaker 17 (17:55):
Tyler was like, I'd love to have a computer, and
then he and I were chatting in the hallway. Then
you turn around and the computer was there. So it
was happening in real time. Boxes everywhere, but it was
a real move in day.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
The complex won't be fully finished for a few more weeks,
but all the essential areas are now ready for tomorrow,
the first day of preseason and the arrival.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
Of the players.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
Although it's not ideal, it does feel appropriate that they'll
be walking on to a building segment.
Speaker 17 (18:25):
This is a dramatic work in progress where we're finished
on the inside. All the player areas are pristine, but
you're walking through an active site. But it's amazing to
see everybody sort of progress their way through this project,
which is literal and a metaphor for what we're doing
is with this whole club.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
The fact that they actually completed this first stage in
time for preseasons is nothing short of a miracle.
Speaker 17 (18:53):
In the state of California. For sure. This is the
fastest construction project ever. So this idea was hatched roughly
twenty two months ago in March and April of twenty three,
and here we are in January of twenty five and
it's done. We did a groundbreaking in November, so that
(19:13):
means in fourteen months, this one hundred and fifty million
dollar project is effectively done. We build a fifty thousand
square foot brand new building done, and we're doing renovations
of the remaining seventy five thousand square feet of existing
buildings for the academy and for Right to Dream and
(19:34):
for the school, and that'll be done in the next
couple months.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
For Tyler Heaps, the club's rookie GM, it's already been
the job of a lifetime, but the real work starts
tomorrow when players finally report for duty.
Speaker 7 (19:51):
I think it's just to be here for the beginning
is special, right, and I think it's the land of special.
You can feel it when you walk on It's the
views are amazing, but also just the privilege of us
being able to utilize the space the players. I can't
wait to see their faces and their reactions because the
fields are immaculate, the gym is ready, the locker room
is ready. It's got to be one of the best,
if not the best training grounds in MLS. And that's
(20:14):
a huge privilege and also a lot of pressure on us.
So it's about us now to make sure we hold
true to it.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
It's the next day, and despite the early hour, fans
are lightning the approach to Singing Hills. They're here by
invitation the official welcoming committee for the club's players. One
by one, taxis and private cars with tinted windows arrive
and pull into the gated entrance inside the performance center.
(20:56):
In the stylish coffee bar area, an array of fruit
and snacks are neatly laid out. Mike Tyler and their
sporting staff are all there, and they're all smiles, greeting
the players as they file in one by one. It's
high fives and big hugs as DFC colleagues meet each
other for the first time. Standing back a little from
(21:16):
the fray soaking it in is Tom Pan.
Speaker 17 (21:19):
I don't know if you heard, but one of our
guys from Europe was late getting here because he filled
his gas tank up with diesel gas and his car
broke down on the highway and he barely made it
in here and was in a panic. But we started
a couple of minutes late so he could get here.
So all this transition is happening, right.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
Tyler looks like a kid in a candy store. He
just can't stop smiling.
Speaker 7 (21:42):
Fays like the first day of school. All the players
obviously arrived there in market. We came here today for
the day one of medicals. So a really exciting moment
for the club, an opportunity to get everybody together. It's
been a long time coming in terms of getting all
these players. Now to get with twenty six twenty one
contracted players, I mean, obviously that means we still have
(22:03):
a few more to go, but really excited to get
the group together, to see them start to interact and
collaborate with each with each other, and then also to
see the coaches on the field, the coaches and the
staff obviously putting that together.
Speaker 1 (22:15):
Once all the players have arrived, they take their seats
for their first ever team meeting. It's a unique situation
in world football. Each and every one of them is
new to the club, arriving on the same day. Some
have never been in a first team locker room, others
have played Champions League and World Cups. But either way,
(22:36):
young or old, their collective enthusiasm is palpable.
Speaker 8 (22:40):
I love that. That's energy there, that's energy. I know
what you do, what mean, I know what it's sitting
aside beside.
Speaker 13 (22:51):
It's all you got.
Speaker 8 (22:52):
If you take one name from this whole reseason, it's
connected as much as possible.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
Mikey Vadis has been planning this moment for months. Over
the next five weeks of preseason, every second will be
crucial to setting standards, building a team culture, and getting
them ready for Game one. Well, they say you never
get a second chance to make a first impression.
Speaker 13 (23:21):
Why are we here, Why are we sitting in this room?
We are here to win.
Speaker 8 (23:28):
This is the first divisionfessional football, huge investment.
Speaker 13 (23:33):
Families are going to spend.
Speaker 8 (23:36):
All their earnings come to the stadium to see us play.
Speaker 14 (23:41):
So we're here to win.
Speaker 8 (23:43):
But how we win and who we win within mats
we have to play in our side will play exciting
for them, and we have to win with people who
have cared that we behave the right way, knack the
right way you carry yourselves around like we inspire people
(24:04):
the right way. I'm going to give you, guys, I
promise random what I'm going to do to you as
your and what I expect that very beas it starts
with intentions. You're going to speak to you directly and
honestly all the time. You'll never be guessing where you stands.
(24:25):
Sometimes I'll tell you something that you don't agree with
or you don't like, but at least you know I'll
say it to your face to face.
Speaker 13 (24:33):
I'll have compassion for you.
Speaker 18 (24:35):
You're not robots. You guys are human beings who play football.
Your fathers, the brothers, your sons. You're human beings, so
you'll always start from have a level first.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
Mike lays out his three top priorities for his players,
and it's not what some might have expected. Be a
good person, have a growth mindset, and embrace competition. It's
the right to dreamway, development first and foremost in every respect.
Speaker 8 (25:06):
If we do these three things together, we make this
event together to each other, for each other, then we
are going to have.
Speaker 13 (25:14):
Joy and confidence and science.
Speaker 8 (25:16):
We will step on every single pitch knowing we're ready
because it guarantee we're going to win. No, but it
gives us a better chance every single time.
Speaker 13 (25:26):
We'll know we're together in it, and we'll know we did.
Speaker 8 (25:28):
The world so that when we arrived to games, we
arrived with smiles on this feeling good, knowing we've done everything.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
Mikey's carrying human centered approach catches some off guard. This
isn't your standard orientation briefing. This is something else, though
naturally their ears all prick up when he moves on
to the footballing side.
Speaker 8 (25:49):
Four moments of the game, ball possession. We lose the ball,
ball US ball recovery.
Speaker 13 (25:57):
We want to get it back ball recovered. Transition is
maybe a little different than you're used to.
Speaker 8 (26:02):
Usually you're used to attacking or offense, defending or defense,
but I changed here. We believe that the ball is
the most important coming. Why did all of you guys
start the players? There's rether goal, so here we're.
Speaker 19 (26:17):
About the ball.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
Smiles breakout across the players faces. This is what they
want to hear. It's what attracted many of them to
the project.
Speaker 8 (26:26):
The style of play starts with an unway m pursuit
of d.
Speaker 13 (26:32):
The most important work GOO is pursuit going before the wave.
We know if the other team wantsn't do the same.
Speaker 8 (26:41):
It's not easy to win games in the highest level,
but it is easy to have a mentality of always
having the intention to go for So we are going
to play a way to y'all team a.
Speaker 13 (26:54):
Number one AMLS Cup champions. And I'm telling everybody right.
Speaker 18 (26:58):
Now so that we're very clear when we go there,
we're gonna go be us.
Speaker 8 (27:05):
Aggressive build up and we're gonna see what happens, and
guess what if we win, that locker room is gonna
be left. If we tie, we're gonna be quite happy
and say, hey, we got some If we lose it
it's close, we're gonna be disappointed, but we're gonna say
we're close. And if we get our asses kicked, we're
(27:25):
gonna say it's okay. We're gonna learn from this, and
we're gonna get back into training and we're gonna go
again and again and again, because when it clicks, we're
gonna be very difficult to me.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
No fear here.
Speaker 8 (27:42):
It's about being breave. It's about being relentless. We're gonna
get knocked down. We can just get backed up and
we keep believing. And it's about having gonna fight in
the team spirit, the.
Speaker 3 (27:55):
Players are all in.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Each of them is looking forward to the first day
on grass, when preseason promper will begin. It's January thirteenth,
twenty twenty five, San Diego evsi's first ever day of training,
and the region's sporting press has gathered to capture It's
(28:20):
another gloriously sunny morning in southern California. Mikey leads his
staff and players out onto the field all dressed in
their crisp chrome colored training year. The immediate focus is
on conditioning, which means running.
Speaker 3 (28:34):
A lot of running.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
At the start of preseason grooming double fitness sessions are
common at some clubs. Days go by before a ball
is even kicked, but not here, and not on Mikey's watch.
He's got less than five weeks to get this group
of strangers. Reading from the same playbook. It's not long
before bags of balls emerge and training switches to quick
(28:59):
pass and hard breasting, the bread and butter.
Speaker 3 (29:02):
Of this team.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
This is followed by a coaching session on team shape. Finally,
with the players already drenched in sweat, it's time for
their first game, something called ninety nine plus one, an
attack versus defense exercise. Mikey is wasting no time instilling
his ideas. As the players head into the showers, they
(29:25):
look exhausted but happy, but none more so than star
center back Patty McNair. As one of the club's earliest signings,
the Northern Irishman has been looking forward to this day
longer than most. Coming from freezing cold Britain, training under
the California sun in mid January is just one of
many things that excited him about joining.
Speaker 12 (29:48):
I've planning on for fifteen years Smith over I was fourteen.
So it's just on the experience. Something you think amelass
as a league that's you know, screwn every year, they'll
say the word cops next year, and yeah, I just
feel like the goooen league. And I've always looked out
of from Afar and I've always sort of you know,
thoughtoued I like I played here. So when the opportunity,
(30:09):
Kim was yeah, more than haby the come.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
But aside from the lifestyle, it was really the right
to dream style of play that are builty.
Speaker 12 (30:18):
Yeah, I think it's going to be a possession style team,
so yeah, attacking and yeah, I think they'll you know,
create a lot of chances. So I think it'll be, uh,
we'll be an exciting watch.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Patty backs himself to a dad.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
But the process will be helped having a few Right
to Dream veterans in the locker room, players like Marcus
Embarksing and center midfielder jep Petebsko, who's already impressed with
his teammate's desire to learn.
Speaker 20 (30:46):
Everybody is new. We see each other for the first
time twenty five new faces and coaches and everybody around,
so that we are a couple of guys who already
knows the citistem can be that helping arm with the
coaching staff to implement all the ideas here on the pitch.
It's very important and also to make that transition going faster.
(31:08):
But the guys are very open minded. Everybody really wants
to buy into it, believing in the project, believing in
the style of play, and just been asking a lot
of questions.
Speaker 8 (31:19):
Which is the mation.
Speaker 1 (31:21):
Yeah, it is one of five players who will be
part of Mikey's senior leadership team, and though he doesn't
know it yet, he'll also be made as dsc's first
ever club captain in the coming days. Needless to say,
he knows his job.
Speaker 20 (31:37):
I'm going to be an important player in terms of
like setting a culture, knowing like some of the values
behind their ownership and how they want to do things.
Been in that system for many years and been indicated
since a young age and that so being able to
bring that here with my aids, with my experience both
on but also of the pitch, is something that is
(32:01):
really important for the club. Also, it's not only about
the performance on the team, but also especially in the
first year, to build that culture and get some values
within the team, and it's something that look forward to.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Last one in is coach Bonds, who stops to give
us his thoughts on the first few days.
Speaker 8 (32:24):
Training was great. It's everything you could expect plus more
from a first day. Right. You're just trying to get
the off season out of their legs a bit, try
to focus on a few basic concepts that that could
help them start to understand our style play. We play
at the end of the preseason against MLS champions, so
we got to get it as clear as possible and
as detailed as possible by then, but it'll be a
(32:46):
gradual process, step by step, first focusing on big picture
ideas and basics and then going from there.
Speaker 1 (32:53):
Mikey knows better than anyone how little time they have
to get ready for the match, but even though they've
planned this preseason in meticulous detail, he's also ready and
willing to evolve his approach with his players.
Speaker 8 (33:06):
Import we have to maximize every second we're on the
pitch because there is a limit to what you can
do with these guys every day, so we have to
make it purposeful. Second, we need to use video and
discussions at the individual level, small group level, and team
level without overburning them cognitively, so managing their fatigue while
(33:26):
still using video. And then, most importantly, we have to
trust them. We have to trust that with time they'll
get more and more adapted, but also that they have
something to offer to the style of play.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
Mike and his staff are working long days, but there's
no letup. Is he feeling the toll? Maybe just a
little yeah, I.
Speaker 8 (33:46):
Mean physically and mentally, Yeah, a little bit knackered. It
was a long day to day pretty much NonStop, but
spiritually super energized because this gives me life. This is real.
This is the the honor and privilege that I have,
which is to work for this club and for a
partner with these players. So I'm super excited.
Speaker 1 (34:07):
Also, Tyler is also happy with what he's seen so far,
not just the talent on display, but how the mix
of personalities are interacting. There aren't data points for mentality
or character. Humility and courage are intangibles. Scouts need a
sixth sense for It's something Tyler and his team took
(34:30):
seriously when building their roster.
Speaker 7 (34:33):
Everything we do is people first. Characters have been at
the center of all of our decisions. Look, the football
skills are important, but when you only have one chance
to build this and you only have one chance to
establish a culture, and so that was really key in
how we made decisions early and even today, So making
sure that we don't just sign any player. We signed
the right player and somebody that wants to be here,
(34:54):
and somebody that's willing to set the standards high and
hopefully raise them. So I think we've been very particular
with that, and I think we've done so far a
very good job of surrounding this environment with the right people.
Speaker 1 (35:07):
The focus on character will be just as important with
the academy, not just by scouting kids with the right mentality,
but by having first team role models for them to
look up to. It was a big part of the
thinking behind signing players like Ghana International, MLS veteran and
Right to Dream alumni and Manuel Boatan. When we caught
(35:27):
up with him, he's grinning from ear to ear for him,
there's a feeling of a homecoming despite the new surroundings.
Speaker 21 (35:34):
The first thing obviously was you know, trying to I've
seen a lot of how norchaland has played and you
know with the right dream ties and everything, and just
like the football itself is just like beautiful watching that
team play and the style that they're playing, and I
knew that was something that they were trying to like
introduce in this league and with the coaches, so that
(35:55):
dream into it. You know, play in a place where
I enjoy the football and you know, right dream attached
to it is huge. Being able to be here on
the daily and you know, see the case impact them
in any positive way that I can, and also learn
from them. So it's it's a great way to get
back from everything that right Dream has given me to
be able to help these kids as well.
Speaker 1 (36:17):
He's been in the MLS for over a decade, seen
numerous locker rooms and training facilities, and experienced the rapid
growth of the league firsthand. But even he is blown
away by his new home.
Speaker 21 (36:32):
Looks like, you know, there's still some work that needs
to be done, by how it is already, it's easily
the best facility I've been in and I haven't seen
anything else in this league like come.
Speaker 1 (36:41):
Close to it.
Speaker 3 (36:43):
All in all, it's been a great first day on
the grass.
Speaker 1 (36:46):
The team is looking good and the players are bonding,
but there's still some key pieces missing from the starting lineup,
namely a creative midfielder and a white forward who can
share the goals with the Drew King and Marcus Ingbartsen.
It's this position Tyler is working hardest on oh role
reserve for their second designated player.
Speaker 7 (37:07):
It is no secret, and I'm not surprising anybody when
I say this, but scoring goals is the most difficult
thing to do in football, and when you have a
restricted roster with discretionary spend and only a number of
different positions, you normally spend that on goal scorers or
goal contributors. Probably is a better way to frame it.
So we know we have that on the left side
of Irving and we want to get the best out
of him. So we're looking at a right winger that's
(37:29):
probably false footed, that prefers to play in the pocket,
that's a bit of a footballer, but also provides something different,
the ability to run behind, the ability to come short,
the ability to combine someone that's strong, powerful, that can
come in this league and make an impact right away.
It's also no secret that the fullbacks in this league
are also the most underpaid role. It's normally the cheapest
(37:49):
position on your roster. So if you can find a
way to then put your best players against those you
probably it defines success, and so that's the approach that.
Speaker 1 (37:59):
We're Just over a week later, we are back at
asdfc's downtown offices in Little Italy. Since the move to
(38:21):
Singing Hills, it's been much quieter here, but not today.
Today the press are gathering again, this time for a
major player announcement. The club are unveiling not one, but
two major first team signings, no surprises for which positions
are creative midfielder US national team player and San Diego
(38:44):
nator Luca de la Torre, who joins on loan with
an option to buy from Cel Tabrigo in Spain, and
sat next to him at the Kromanasoul presentation table is
Danish international winger and asdfc's second designated player Anders Dreia.
Tyler introduces the two new faces to the fans.
Speaker 7 (39:04):
Thanks Vicky and thanks everybody for coming today.
Speaker 13 (39:07):
Another exciting moment for the club.
Speaker 7 (39:09):
There's been a lot of first in the last couple
of weeks, and this one we're really excited for a
big welcome to Luca and honors two players that we
have high expectations for here in San Diego. I'm really
excited to get on the grass and started. It's no
secret that this league is won and lost by difference makers,
and I have no doubt that these two are our
(39:31):
key difference makers for us here in San Diego.
Speaker 13 (39:33):
In year one.
Speaker 1 (39:34):
The press have plenty of questions, but many zero in
on the long awaited arrival of a second dp. Anderza
probably isn't a name most fans know coming from the Belgium,
but it won't have been a decision the club took
likely Mikey.
Speaker 14 (39:51):
Good morning and tend to go put the footboarding. What
does it feel like to just have a second piece.
Speaker 7 (39:56):
Tiny with Anders joining the team now and just overall
finding that right winger that you guys have been looking
for and letting us know that you've been looking for.
Speaker 8 (40:05):
Yeah, it's extremely exciting. He's got tremendous quality left foot,
final pass, goalscoring, instinct, combination, he can create space for himself,
he can create for others, and most importantly, two things
that I really love about him is one he works
for his teammates off the ball in terms of pressing.
He's willing to be a warrior in that sense, and
(40:27):
also he wants to get better.
Speaker 13 (40:28):
He knows that he still has other levels that.
Speaker 14 (40:31):
He can get to.
Speaker 1 (40:32):
Anders oh Man a few words, is quick to agree
the growing quality of the league, combined with the club's
right to Dream philosophy, could be the perfect platform for
his developments.
Speaker 19 (40:44):
I think when I've heard about the front Shake and
the new club San Diego, I was convinced that that
was something I would love to join. And I got
the opportunity, and yeah, it was an easy to go
over here. And like Mike, you say that make myself
(41:05):
a better player. I believe I have next level in
my game, and that's something I think I can achieve.
Speaker 2 (41:12):
You.
Speaker 1 (41:13):
But for the local journalists, the big story is the
return of la They all want to know how he
feels to finally be able to represent his hometown.
Speaker 22 (41:23):
Yeah, it's a great feeling. It's something that I didn't
really think about before. But it's really special to be
able to play for your city where you're from. It's
not something that everyone gets the chance to do. I
would have loved if this was year ten years ago.
To be honest, Yeah, I'm so happy to be back,
to be able to play for my parents and people.
Speaker 11 (41:44):
Have known my whole life.
Speaker 3 (41:53):
Well, he won't have long to wait.
Speaker 1 (41:55):
With only a few weeks to go until they play
their first game, Luca and Anders will both be running
in front of the fans soon enough. The question is
how will they do, what sort of team will emerge
from this preseason and can they compete straight out of
the gates. We give the final word on preseason to
MLS journalist Charles Bohem.
Speaker 3 (42:14):
While it won't be playing.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
Sailing, he's still cautiously optimistic for the new club.
Speaker 23 (42:20):
Yeah, there's an old metaphor building the plane while while
it's still in the air, right, and there's a little
bit of that happening. I think with San Diego C
they've gone from you know, zero to sixty in very
very rapid pace, especially compared to recent MLS expansion timelines.
And Tyler Heaps joked recently in remarks to media that
(42:41):
he's not sleeping, you know, and it wasn't clear how
much of a joke it wasn't It tends to make
me bearish about their prospects for getting everything right from
the start. That's a fiendishly complex and difficult task, but
I think it does definitely inform the mentality of the club,
the desire to do something unique here. I do think
(43:02):
that San Diego SI out of the gates will struggle
because the track record is there. I mean, it's a
well established reality that expansion teams have a very difficult
time competing out of the gates and for them trying
to build not just a squad, but an organization from
scratch just in time. So there's something admirable about the
(43:22):
scope of the ambitions here. I do think they'll take
some humbling lessons in the opening months, but they can
do it. I think if you have the right people
who take the right lessons from those early struggles, then
I see no reason why they can't be at least
in the race for the playoffs, and while we wait
to see what the full squad looks like, I think
(43:43):
they have every reason to go and chase that. And
the chaotic beauty of MLS is that once you're in
the playoffs, as we saw it with l An United
and into Miami in twenty twenty four, truly anything can happen.
Speaker 1 (44:01):
It's eight twenty on February twenty second at the home
of the Galaxy on the opening night of MLS's thirtieth season.
The clock is showing fifty two minutes play after a
cage first half. Underdogs San Diego FC are holding the
champions to a nothing nothing score line.
Speaker 3 (44:20):
But all of that is about to change.
Speaker 8 (44:23):
Support one hundred and twenty miles from San Diego to
La Oh.
Speaker 3 (44:26):
It's given away.
Speaker 1 (44:31):
What a chi, It's chi, It's a getae the Galaxy.
Speaker 9 (44:40):
This mansion Sun count says San Diego lead.
Speaker 1 (44:46):
A goal out of nowhere, a Galaxy defensive mistake, and
it's the San Diego dps that react the quickness it
Choky takes possession in squares to the Danes andras Ryan
who makes no mistake in black in the opening And
it's not just San Diego's English speaking fans who celebrated
from Chilla Vista to t one radios and TVs every
(45:09):
year are tuned in and following every kick of the
ball and back in America's finest city at the Blue
Footbar and lounge, beers are flying and the crowd is
jumping as a longtime football follower, Paul our friendly neutral
(45:33):
is beginning to get excited. He's pleasantly surprised with the
quality on display.
Speaker 24 (45:38):
You will have gone on score Baba snakes the back
and try to play it out. Sugar got the ball
and pasted it nicely and San Diego of their first
ever go in mlast fantastic stuff. It's currently one thing
San Diego with fifty five minutes com.
Speaker 8 (45:59):
Yeah, the place went on. It was really good.
Speaker 1 (46:02):
The second half is a San Diego on slack. Their
confidence boosted. It's a lesson in quick, incisive passing and
high pressing, just as Mikey promised.
Speaker 3 (46:13):
But they're not perfect of course.
Speaker 1 (46:15):
The Galaxy looked dangerous too, and the chances start stacking
up for the home stack. As the clock ticks down,
it's LA's turn to pile on the pressure at Blue Boot.
The fans stay strong as the match ticks into extra.
Speaker 3 (46:27):
Time five minutes of time about it on.
Speaker 5 (46:35):
Were resolutely defending.
Speaker 12 (46:36):
Yeah again.
Speaker 24 (46:46):
Alone, Caldifly, you're gonna do that, Califly.
Speaker 7 (46:59):
Th minute slack.
Speaker 1 (47:00):
As dm C continued to soak up the pressure until
in the final seconds Galaxy.
Speaker 3 (47:08):
Loses the ball.
Speaker 1 (47:09):
Deep into added time, San Diego players forget the fatigue
in their legs and launch a devastating attack. Chroman assumes
Shirts sworn forward led by goal scorer Anders Dragon.
Speaker 2 (47:22):
Clear in just fucking Rice gone, San Diego.
Speaker 8 (47:46):
That the mist.
Speaker 3 (47:59):
Fucking back under the krap probably building.
Speaker 24 (48:06):
Beautiful little both very nicely, Yeah, cracking along.
Speaker 3 (48:13):
And that is the killer Blue.
Speaker 1 (48:16):
The Galaxy's fade a seal and SDFC are about to
make history.
Speaker 9 (48:23):
And it's over fun opening night Mikey Baras and San
Diego FC and Honors Dryer have announced their arrival in
Major League Soccer. In emphatic fashion, they take down the
defending MLS Cup champion La Galaxy to nil the final.
Speaker 3 (48:49):
Oh there, it is amazing.
Speaker 22 (48:52):
My voice is.
Speaker 5 (48:54):
Shut hill away from home saying that not left free air.
Speaker 3 (48:59):
I'm not a trumpy amazing stuff.
Speaker 12 (49:01):
I went down.
Speaker 5 (49:02):
Absolutely storm and hope loads of people massiveline say you
hear it. It was a lot of fun, two you know,
pretty clinical goals.
Speaker 3 (49:14):
I had that left borne and really just sealed it.
Speaker 5 (49:18):
San Diego honestly the same.
Speaker 3 (49:20):
Yeah, good stuff. God, Sandy.
Speaker 1 (49:26):
I don't know about you, but Paul doesn't sound so
neutral to me right now. In fact, I think that
performance may just have won as DFC a lot of
new fans well, making the existing fan base very happy indeed,
but none more so than those supporters who traveled to LA.
Speaker 3 (49:44):
This is Matthew Boose, the president of Riptides.
Speaker 2 (49:49):
I'm back on the bus driving home from Carson, and
the whole bus is electrified. Everybody's talking, everybody's watching the
repeat goals, play back goals. Literally no words can describe
the feeling from what we just witnessed.
Speaker 3 (50:10):
The team was on point, just like we've I at
least have known they were going to be. They played
like they belong here in this league. And then that
last magical goal by Dryer.
Speaker 2 (50:24):
It was insane. The funny thing is I thought the
stands were gonna break. We were jumping up and down
so hard in our section because it was just so insane.
The crowd was definitely typical LA throwing stuff at us
and booing us and this and the other, but everybody
(50:46):
stayed pretty poised, and definitely there was a beat La
chant that happened at the end, but altogether it was
just insane. Everybody played their part. You sounded great. I've
heard that on Apple TV. You could hear us like Laudenclair.
So my voice sours from all the chanting. And stuff.
Speaker 8 (51:09):
It was.
Speaker 2 (51:10):
It was so great. So yeah, San Diego's here, watch out.
Speaker 3 (51:15):
MLS, And there you have it.
Speaker 1 (51:21):
With less than two years to launch a new franchise,
building a club, an academy, a fan base, and a
first team in record time, the club announced it's a
rival to MLS and the world with a historic win,
and as we know now, it would be just the
first of many. For thirty plus years, America's finest city
has dreamed of first division men's football, and boy has
(51:44):
this club delivered. Next time on Behind the Flow, join
us for something a little bit different.
Speaker 3 (51:51):
Starting from next week, we switch.
Speaker 1 (51:53):
Gears and dive into the twenty twenty five season, following
it live in real time. I'll be joined by college
and guests to discuss the on field action, as well
as keeping tabs on the characters and stories we've followed
since the beginning. Stay tuned and keep following us for
the next chapter of San Diego FC Behind the Flow.
(52:18):
Behind the Flow is a Message Heard production. I'm your host.
Adrian garciamarkis the series producer, is McAllister Beckson, Mark Kendrick
is the assistant producers, and Rebecca ware is.
Speaker 3 (52:29):
The field producer.
Speaker 1 (52:31):
Jake Warren and Sandra Ferrari are the executive producers. James
Cox and Devil Dias are the production coordinators. The sound
editor is Lizzie Andrews and music composition is by Tom Biddle.
It's Sunday, February twenty third, twenty twenty five. It's been
twenty one months since it was announced that San Diego
would finally be joining Major League Soccer. That was less
than two years ago, just six hundred and forty seven
days to build an organization, construct a world class training facility,
(00:28):
recruit a team, and detract a fan base, and it
all comes down to this match Day one, and what
an opening fixture they've been handed as DFC traveled to
the home of the reigning record holding champions m LESS
Superpower and regional rivals LA Galaxy for the members of
(00:48):
the club's official supporters union. It's been a long wait.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Good morning. My name is Matthew Boose, and I am
the president of the Riptides, And yeah, I'm sitting here
at my house kind of getting some stuff packed, getting
some stuff ready for our trip out to Carson, LA
for our first ever away game, and sitting here very nervous,
(01:18):
trying not to exert myself too much. Right now. This
is gonna be a long day of making sure everybody
has a really good time.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
The rip Tides, like the other club supporter groups, have
sold out their ticket allocation, which means.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Eight thousand of San Diego's.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
Most hardcore, hyped up fans are making the four hour
trip north to Los Angeles.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
It's pretty wild to think that just a couple years
ago we started up not only riptides, but SDFC came
to form and yeah, we're I'm just sitting here looking
all the discord messages for riptides kind of starting to
(02:04):
roll in as everybody's waking up and getting hyped up
and whatnot.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
One of those posting on the group chat is Vanessa Behadan.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
I'm getting ready and the last thing I have to
do is put on my jersey before I head out
and head to Dignity Health for this game. Watching it
in person here in Carson, California, It's going to be epic.
Speaker 5 (02:35):
You know.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
I can and I cannot believe that we have finally
needed here. I have butterflies, butterflies of excitement, of nervousness,
and what am I nervous about? I have no idea.
I'm trying to.
Speaker 6 (02:51):
Save my more jumping excitement for in the crowd, screaming, singing,
and team to show everyone who's watching this game in
person and on TV like San.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Diego's here, we're here MLS has started this season with
San Diego FC. We are ready.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Many of those who don't have tickets to the game
will descend on one of San Diego's many soccer bars,
bars like the Bluefoot in North Park.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Hi, this is Paul Hutchinson.
Speaker 5 (03:40):
I am one of the cope sentences on Fuzzy from
the Foot, which is a podcast that comes from the
Blue Foot, neighborhood bar and lungs in the houts of
San Diego's glittering Northwark.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Paul is a transplant to the city from the northwest
of England and a long suffering Bolton fan. But today,
seeing his favorite bar packed out, surrounded by soccer Matt
friends who are about to see how long held dream
become reality, he can't help.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
But feel his loyalties shift a little.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
But like many, he's not overly optimistic about San Diego
f c's chances.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
I mean, probably the toughest away game that they could
have been given for their first game. That's you know,
carricter building and all that, and let's see how they do.
And it's a little bit of a free hit for them,
I suppose, And yeah, see if it all pans.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
Out, whatever the score It's a historic day when loser draw.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
This is just the.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Beginning of sdfc's MLS story. As the team steps onto
the pitch to warm up around the bar, chance for
Irby and CHUCKI Rosanda begin one miles north back at
(05:09):
the Dignity Helped Sports Parking Carson kickoff approaches, and the
atmosphere in the away stand is Electric.
Speaker 7 (05:18):
Canada Paper joining us for today's printing. O'bayan Nadello featuring
the visiting San Diego FC, has ay take on your
Turnout and twenty four and six times hand less cook
a chip in Hell, Thanks.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Oh Man.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Seventeen minutes until game time, until everybody's like really antsy
and just really ready to go. The whole crowd up
here is watching the players warm up on the field,
drinking some beers and really can join the music. They're
living it up. You can tell everybody, including myself, it
is just in awe of the moments, really just the
(06:08):
moment that we all work so hard for. It's really
surreal to see our team finally on the pitch for
our first ever game. Words can't explain how much this
means to me, and I'm sure the rest of all
of San Diego. San Diego, this is for you.
Speaker 8 (06:24):
We did it.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
And we are underway. On Sunday Night Soccer the first
of a match.
Speaker 9 (06:32):
For San Diego FC away at the Raigning Chance the
La Galaxy.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
In February twenty five, San Diego FC became the thirtieth
team to enter major leagues, now the largest professional league
on the planet. But this is more than just another
football club. At least that's the hope of the club's
co owners. Under the leadership of Sir Mohammed Montsour, Right
to Dream is an organization promising to rock American soccer
(07:15):
to its foundations with a revolutionary approach to coaching and
youth development. Anchoring the project in the local community is
the Sequan Band of the Kumiga Nation, the first ever
Native American owners in men's professional sports, and as the
only MLS club officially sanctioned to recruit out of Mexico.
(07:36):
I mean, this thing could really fly, that is, if
everything goes to plan. In this episode, preseason finally gets underway.
Sporting director Tyler Heaps puts the finishing touches on the
squad and coach Badus welcomes his players for the very
first time the clock is ticking. The countdown to Game
(07:56):
one has begun. Captured in the fire months before the
twenty twenty five season kicks off, this series follows sdfc's
race to field their first ever team. I'm Adrian, gotta say,
I'm OUTIKS and this is Behind the Flow, the origin
story of San Diego FC. It's the morning of January tenth,
(08:38):
twenty twenty five, and the California sun is beaming down
on the newly minted Sharp Healthcare Performance Center at Singing Hills.
This site has been a hive of NonStop activity for
the past fifteen months, but today all is quiet. Construction
crews have paused their work to mark a special occasion.
(09:00):
As DFC staff and members of the Sequan community sit
together under club branded canopies. They give Tribal Chairman Cody
Martinez a round of applause.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
As he takes the stage.
Speaker 10 (09:14):
General membership, team members, members of the FC operation and
community partners. Everyone who's here, welcome for joining us today.
This is a very special day for Sequan and indeed
for Segnego County as a whole. Today's event is a
special event as we bless this new project in our
(09:36):
Kumi tradition, blessing the future use of this facility with
smoke of the white stage, songs and dances and prayers
of the Kumiai people passed down from our ancestors. I
want to again thank you all for being here today.
Especially you want to again thank the general membership for
the support, vision and belief in this long term investment
(10:00):
for the tribe. We are truly making history here today
twenty twenty five marks one hundred and fifty years since
the creation of the Sequan Indian Reservation, the original one
square mile of land created by Presidential executive order in
December of the year eighteen seventy five. We are here
(10:21):
to bless a new chapter in the history of this land,
a new beginning that will support future generations in sport
and education. Congratulations to all of our Sequa membership here
today on this amazing accomplishment. And at this time, it
is my pleasure to introduce Councilman Jamie Lebrek.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Tribal elder.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Uncle Jamie and his niece emerged from inside the buildings
where they've just now completed their ritual blessings.
Speaker 11 (10:51):
Thank you Chairman. At this time I'm going to go ahead,
and I'm going to offer this stage in all four
directions as a creator, to bless me, to ornor everybody
here today with some kind words and words that are
meaningful and purposeful, because I acknowledge not just our community,
(11:12):
but the community of right to Dream and how important
they are to us.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Jamie strikes a match and lights the bunch of dright
sage in his hand. The aromatic smoke gently swirls around him.
His lips move silently, offering a prayer to the tribes's ancestors.
Speaker 11 (11:31):
When me and my niece were walking around, we got
to the east side over there, and it felt so peaceful,
it felt so serene, And I knew then that our
ancestors above us were rejoiced in this perfect union. Our
ancestors above is. They knew that the Right to Dream Academy,
the Monsur family, and the Commune nation were exercising or
(11:54):
committing to this perfect union, that this was the right
thing for our people. Maybe one day we'll see a
couple of Kuma young men or women running these fields
and practicing. Maybe one day day two can exemplify what
that right the dream is, because that's why night was created.
You see in our way of night was created, a
dream in the daytime was created to live those dreams,
(12:16):
and that's what these fields are going to represent today.
So thank you everybody. I'd like to call up a
blue Egld Bubbo, my cousin Ernie and my nephew Justins.
We cop and shared those songs with you.
Speaker 12 (12:34):
I I.
Speaker 13 (12:46):
Mom God him Alaa.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
After the traditional songs and dances have been performed, CEO
Tom Penn addresses the audience.
Speaker 14 (13:27):
We've said all along, this feels like holy land and
to bring right to dream here.
Speaker 15 (13:33):
It's emotional.
Speaker 14 (13:35):
If we can bring the right to dream way to
this special place in Singing Hills, with all these brilliant
minds that are here to bring their passion and their creativity,
how special could it be?
Speaker 3 (13:48):
And it should be the best in.
Speaker 14 (13:49):
North America and among the best in the world.
Speaker 15 (13:52):
Literally, so on behalf of the one hundred and forty
employees at SDFC, the twenty two players twenty three how
many players do we have? Twenty two players, tyler and counting,
and then the tens of thousands who have said yes
to us already, the members of San Diego Football Club,
(14:13):
our season ticket holders, our corporate partners. Everybody, we say
thank you to Sequan sharing your land with this project.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Last to speak is the club's head coach. As Mikey
takes the podium, he clears his.
Speaker 8 (14:28):
Throat, thank you, Chairman, appreciate you, council members, the Sequan ancestors. Frankly,
hearing the passion and the ancestry and the connectedness there
made me quite emotional. Actually makes me realize just how
grateful I am to be just the smallest part of
(14:52):
this much bigger story. When it comes to the Takuan
and it comes to write to dream, and every day
I wake up and I pinch myself as I understand
where I'm at right now, and I also understand the
responsibility that that comes with We talk about a blessing, well,
every day the players and the staff come in here,
(15:13):
we will feel blessed and we will understand the honor
that it will require from us to make sure that
we're a reflection of this Quan and the history that
comes with the land.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
One man who cherishes the community partnership being built here
in San Diego is the club's majority owner Right to
Drink Chairman Sir Mohammed Mansour.
Speaker 16 (15:38):
In May twenty twenty two, first time, when Commissioner Don
Garber was there, I felt the passion of defense amazing.
And how we were welcomed by everyone as you know, Egyptian,
British citizen of course, you know our partners, How we
(15:58):
were welcomed in San Diego. I mean that was very
touching for me too, because in reality, I am an
emotional man, you know, I'm a person that feels for people,
you know, and having this welcoming, you know, everything is positive,
and even the media that you know I've spoken to,
we're positive, and this really gives us. It's more of
(16:21):
a challenge because then we have to meet their expectations
and get there. So this is the challenge that we have.
Speaker 1 (16:27):
So what about meeting those expectations? How does he think
the club will do in their first season?
Speaker 16 (16:34):
Can you ask me that question after the first three
games so I can give you a more I mean,
I mean there's hope, you know, I mean expectations. We're winners.
I mean I don't get into anything. You know, we push,
we push, we push, you know. I mean we want
(16:54):
to be a winning team, whether it be in three years,
whether it be in five. We want to be a
winning team that makes our fans sprout and makes the
community proud and makes us proud. So that's the objective.
I know the first game is going to be a
tough one with Ellie Galaxy in Los Angeles. I'm definitely
gonna be there. Tom Penn asked me if I can
(17:15):
be there in January or to of them, I'll be
there whenever they want. So very exciting times, very exciting times.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
As the ceremony draws to a close, the construction teams
are anxious to get back to work. There's still plenty
to be done and no time to lose. Tom Penn
has been in and out all week watching the finishing
touches being applied to the first team facilities.
Speaker 17 (17:40):
Well, you can hear construction noise in the background.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
You know.
Speaker 17 (17:43):
The staff moved in on Monday, six days ago. They've
been working their tails off to get this right. They
were still assembling furniture, they were hanging TVs on the wall.
Speaker 8 (17:54):
You know.
Speaker 17 (17:55):
Tyler was like, I'd love to have a computer, and
then he and I were chatting in the hallway. Then
you turn around and the computer was there. So it
was happening in real time. Boxes everywhere, but it was
a real move in day.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
The complex won't be fully finished for a few more weeks,
but all the essential areas are now ready for tomorrow,
the first day of preseason and the arrival.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
Of the players.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
Although it's not ideal, it does feel appropriate that they'll
be walking on to a building segment.
Speaker 17 (18:25):
This is a dramatic work in progress where we're finished
on the inside. All the player areas are pristine, but
you're walking through an active site. But it's amazing to
see everybody sort of progress their way through this project,
which is literal and a metaphor for what we're doing
is with this whole club.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
The fact that they actually completed this first stage in
time for preseasons is nothing short of a miracle.
Speaker 17 (18:53):
In the state of California. For sure. This is the
fastest construction project ever. So this idea was hatched roughly
twenty two months ago in March and April of twenty three,
and here we are in January of twenty five and
it's done. We did a groundbreaking in November, so that
(19:13):
means in fourteen months, this one hundred and fifty million
dollar project is effectively done. We build a fifty thousand
square foot brand new building done, and we're doing renovations
of the remaining seventy five thousand square feet of existing
buildings for the academy and for Right to Dream and
(19:34):
for the school, and that'll be done in the next
couple months.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
For Tyler Heaps, the club's rookie GM, it's already been
the job of a lifetime, but the real work starts
tomorrow when players finally report for duty.
Speaker 7 (19:51):
I think it's just to be here for the beginning
is special, right, and I think it's the land of special.
You can feel it when you walk on It's the
views are amazing, but also just the privilege of us
being able to utilize the space the players. I can't
wait to see their faces and their reactions because the
fields are immaculate, the gym is ready, the locker room
is ready. It's got to be one of the best,
if not the best training grounds in MLS. And that's
(20:14):
a huge privilege and also a lot of pressure on us.
So it's about us now to make sure we hold
true to it.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
It's the next day, and despite the early hour, fans
are lightning the approach to Singing Hills. They're here by
invitation the official welcoming committee for the club's players. One
by one, taxis and private cars with tinted windows arrive
and pull into the gated entrance inside the performance center.
(20:56):
In the stylish coffee bar area, an array of fruit
and snacks are neatly laid out. Mike Tyler and their
sporting staff are all there, and they're all smiles, greeting
the players as they file in one by one. It's
high fives and big hugs as DFC colleagues meet each
other for the first time. Standing back a little from
(21:16):
the fray soaking it in is Tom Pan.
Speaker 17 (21:19):
I don't know if you heard, but one of our
guys from Europe was late getting here because he filled
his gas tank up with diesel gas and his car
broke down on the highway and he barely made it
in here and was in a panic. But we started
a couple of minutes late so he could get here.
So all this transition is happening, right.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
Tyler looks like a kid in a candy store. He
just can't stop smiling.
Speaker 7 (21:42):
Fays like the first day of school. All the players
obviously arrived there in market. We came here today for
the day one of medicals. So a really exciting moment
for the club, an opportunity to get everybody together. It's
been a long time coming in terms of getting all
these players. Now to get with twenty six twenty one
contracted players, I mean, obviously that means we still have
(22:03):
a few more to go, but really excited to get
the group together, to see them start to interact and
collaborate with each with each other, and then also to
see the coaches on the field, the coaches and the
staff obviously putting that together.
Speaker 1 (22:15):
Once all the players have arrived, they take their seats
for their first ever team meeting. It's a unique situation
in world football. Each and every one of them is
new to the club, arriving on the same day. Some
have never been in a first team locker room, others
have played Champions League and World Cups. But either way,
(22:36):
young or old, their collective enthusiasm is palpable.
Speaker 8 (22:40):
I love that. That's energy there, that's energy. I know
what you do, what mean, I know what it's sitting
aside beside.
Speaker 13 (22:51):
It's all you got.
Speaker 8 (22:52):
If you take one name from this whole reseason, it's
connected as much as possible.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
Mikey Vadis has been planning this moment for months. Over
the next five weeks of preseason, every second will be
crucial to setting standards, building a team culture, and getting
them ready for Game one. Well, they say you never
get a second chance to make a first impression.
Speaker 13 (23:21):
Why are we here, Why are we sitting in this room?
We are here to win.
Speaker 8 (23:28):
This is the first divisionfessional football, huge investment.
Speaker 13 (23:33):
Families are going to spend.
Speaker 8 (23:36):
All their earnings come to the stadium to see us play.
Speaker 14 (23:41):
So we're here to win.
Speaker 8 (23:43):
But how we win and who we win within mats
we have to play in our side will play exciting
for them, and we have to win with people who
have cared that we behave the right way, knack the
right way you carry yourselves around like we inspire people
(24:04):
the right way. I'm going to give you, guys, I
promise random what I'm going to do to you as
your and what I expect that very beas it starts
with intentions. You're going to speak to you directly and
honestly all the time. You'll never be guessing where you stands.
(24:25):
Sometimes I'll tell you something that you don't agree with
or you don't like, but at least you know I'll
say it to your face to face.
Speaker 13 (24:33):
I'll have compassion for you.
Speaker 18 (24:35):
You're not robots. You guys are human beings who play football.
Your fathers, the brothers, your sons. You're human beings, so
you'll always start from have a level first.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
Mike lays out his three top priorities for his players,
and it's not what some might have expected. Be a
good person, have a growth mindset, and embrace competition. It's
the right to dreamway, development first and foremost in every respect.
Speaker 8 (25:06):
If we do these three things together, we make this
event together to each other, for each other, then we
are going to have.
Speaker 13 (25:14):
Joy and confidence and science.
Speaker 8 (25:16):
We will step on every single pitch knowing we're ready
because it guarantee we're going to win. No, but it
gives us a better chance every single time.
Speaker 13 (25:26):
We'll know we're together in it, and we'll know we did.
Speaker 8 (25:28):
The world so that when we arrived to games, we
arrived with smiles on this feeling good, knowing we've done everything.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
Mikey's carrying human centered approach catches some off guard. This
isn't your standard orientation briefing. This is something else, though
naturally their ears all prick up when he moves on
to the footballing side.
Speaker 8 (25:49):
Four moments of the game, ball possession. We lose the ball,
ball US ball recovery.
Speaker 13 (25:57):
We want to get it back ball recovered. Transition is
maybe a little different than you're used to.
Speaker 8 (26:02):
Usually you're used to attacking or offense, defending or defense,
but I changed here. We believe that the ball is
the most important coming. Why did all of you guys
start the players? There's rether goal, so here we're.
Speaker 19 (26:17):
About the ball.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
Smiles breakout across the players faces. This is what they
want to hear. It's what attracted many of them to
the project.
Speaker 8 (26:26):
The style of play starts with an unway m pursuit
of d.
Speaker 13 (26:32):
The most important work GOO is pursuit going before the wave.
We know if the other team wantsn't do the same.
Speaker 8 (26:41):
It's not easy to win games in the highest level,
but it is easy to have a mentality of always
having the intention to go for So we are going
to play a way to y'all team a.
Speaker 13 (26:54):
Number one AMLS Cup champions. And I'm telling everybody right.
Speaker 18 (26:58):
Now so that we're very clear when we go there,
we're gonna go be us.
Speaker 8 (27:05):
Aggressive build up and we're gonna see what happens, and
guess what if we win, that locker room is gonna
be left. If we tie, we're gonna be quite happy
and say, hey, we got some If we lose it
it's close, we're gonna be disappointed, but we're gonna say
we're close. And if we get our asses kicked, we're
(27:25):
gonna say it's okay. We're gonna learn from this, and
we're gonna get back into training and we're gonna go
again and again and again, because when it clicks, we're
gonna be very difficult to me.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
No fear here.
Speaker 8 (27:42):
It's about being breave. It's about being relentless. We're gonna
get knocked down. We can just get backed up and
we keep believing. And it's about having gonna fight in
the team spirit, the.
Speaker 3 (27:55):
Players are all in.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Each of them is looking forward to the first day
on grass, when preseason promper will begin. It's January thirteenth,
twenty twenty five, San Diego evsi's first ever day of training,
and the region's sporting press has gathered to capture It's
(28:20):
another gloriously sunny morning in southern California. Mikey leads his
staff and players out onto the field all dressed in
their crisp chrome colored training year. The immediate focus is
on conditioning, which means running.
Speaker 3 (28:34):
A lot of running.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
At the start of preseason grooming double fitness sessions are
common at some clubs. Days go by before a ball
is even kicked, but not here, and not on Mikey's watch.
He's got less than five weeks to get this group
of strangers. Reading from the same playbook. It's not long
before bags of balls emerge and training switches to quick
(28:59):
pass and hard breasting, the bread and butter.
Speaker 3 (29:02):
Of this team.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
This is followed by a coaching session on team shape. Finally,
with the players already drenched in sweat, it's time for
their first game, something called ninety nine plus one, an
attack versus defense exercise. Mikey is wasting no time instilling
his ideas. As the players head into the showers, they
(29:25):
look exhausted but happy, but none more so than star
center back Patty McNair. As one of the club's earliest signings,
the Northern Irishman has been looking forward to this day
longer than most. Coming from freezing cold Britain, training under
the California sun in mid January is just one of
many things that excited him about joining.
Speaker 12 (29:48):
I've planning on for fifteen years Smith over I was fourteen.
So it's just on the experience. Something you think amelass
as a league that's you know, screwn every year, they'll
say the word cops next year, and yeah, I just
feel like the goooen league. And I've always looked out
of from Afar and I've always sort of you know,
thoughtoued I like I played here. So when the opportunity,
(30:09):
Kim was yeah, more than haby the come.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
But aside from the lifestyle, it was really the right
to dream style of play that are builty.
Speaker 12 (30:18):
Yeah, I think it's going to be a possession style team,
so yeah, attacking and yeah, I think they'll you know,
create a lot of chances. So I think it'll be, uh,
we'll be an exciting watch.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Patty backs himself to a dad.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
But the process will be helped having a few Right
to Dream veterans in the locker room, players like Marcus
Embarksing and center midfielder jep Petebsko, who's already impressed with
his teammate's desire to learn.
Speaker 20 (30:46):
Everybody is new. We see each other for the first
time twenty five new faces and coaches and everybody around,
so that we are a couple of guys who already
knows the citistem can be that helping arm with the
coaching staff to implement all the ideas here on the pitch.
It's very important and also to make that transition going faster.
(31:08):
But the guys are very open minded. Everybody really wants
to buy into it, believing in the project, believing in
the style of play, and just been asking a lot
of questions.
Speaker 8 (31:19):
Which is the mation.
Speaker 1 (31:21):
Yeah, it is one of five players who will be
part of Mikey's senior leadership team, and though he doesn't
know it yet, he'll also be made as dsc's first
ever club captain in the coming days. Needless to say,
he knows his job.
Speaker 20 (31:37):
I'm going to be an important player in terms of
like setting a culture, knowing like some of the values
behind their ownership and how they want to do things.
Been in that system for many years and been indicated
since a young age and that so being able to
bring that here with my aids, with my experience both
on but also of the pitch, is something that is
(32:01):
really important for the club. Also, it's not only about
the performance on the team, but also especially in the
first year, to build that culture and get some values
within the team, and it's something that look forward to.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Last one in is coach Bonds, who stops to give
us his thoughts on the first few days.
Speaker 8 (32:24):
Training was great. It's everything you could expect plus more
from a first day. Right. You're just trying to get
the off season out of their legs a bit, try
to focus on a few basic concepts that that could
help them start to understand our style play. We play
at the end of the preseason against MLS champions, so
we got to get it as clear as possible and
as detailed as possible by then, but it'll be a
(32:46):
gradual process, step by step, first focusing on big picture
ideas and basics and then going from there.
Speaker 1 (32:53):
Mikey knows better than anyone how little time they have
to get ready for the match, but even though they've
planned this preseason in meticulous detail, he's also ready and
willing to evolve his approach with his players.
Speaker 8 (33:06):
Import we have to maximize every second we're on the
pitch because there is a limit to what you can
do with these guys every day, so we have to
make it purposeful. Second, we need to use video and
discussions at the individual level, small group level, and team
level without overburning them cognitively, so managing their fatigue while
(33:26):
still using video. And then, most importantly, we have to
trust them. We have to trust that with time they'll
get more and more adapted, but also that they have
something to offer to the style of play.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
Mike and his staff are working long days, but there's
no letup. Is he feeling the toll? Maybe just a
little yeah, I.
Speaker 8 (33:46):
Mean physically and mentally, Yeah, a little bit knackered. It
was a long day to day pretty much NonStop, but
spiritually super energized because this gives me life. This is real.
This is the the honor and privilege that I have,
which is to work for this club and for a
partner with these players. So I'm super excited.
Speaker 1 (34:07):
Also, Tyler is also happy with what he's seen so far,
not just the talent on display, but how the mix
of personalities are interacting. There aren't data points for mentality
or character. Humility and courage are intangibles. Scouts need a
sixth sense for It's something Tyler and his team took
(34:30):
seriously when building their roster.
Speaker 7 (34:33):
Everything we do is people first. Characters have been at
the center of all of our decisions. Look, the football
skills are important, but when you only have one chance
to build this and you only have one chance to
establish a culture, and so that was really key in
how we made decisions early and even today, So making
sure that we don't just sign any player. We signed
the right player and somebody that wants to be here,
(34:54):
and somebody that's willing to set the standards high and
hopefully raise them. So I think we've been very particular
with that, and I think we've done so far a
very good job of surrounding this environment with the right people.
Speaker 1 (35:07):
The focus on character will be just as important with
the academy, not just by scouting kids with the right mentality,
but by having first team role models for them to
look up to. It was a big part of the
thinking behind signing players like Ghana International, MLS veteran and
Right to Dream alumni and Manuel Boatan. When we caught
(35:27):
up with him, he's grinning from ear to ear for him,
there's a feeling of a homecoming despite the new surroundings.
Speaker 21 (35:34):
The first thing obviously was you know, trying to I've
seen a lot of how norchaland has played and you
know with the right dream ties and everything, and just
like the football itself is just like beautiful watching that
team play and the style that they're playing, and I
knew that was something that they were trying to like
introduce in this league and with the coaches, so that
(35:55):
dream into it. You know, play in a place where
I enjoy the football and you know, right dream attached
to it is huge. Being able to be here on
the daily and you know, see the case impact them
in any positive way that I can, and also learn
from them. So it's it's a great way to get
back from everything that right Dream has given me to
be able to help these kids as well.
Speaker 1 (36:17):
He's been in the MLS for over a decade, seen
numerous locker rooms and training facilities, and experienced the rapid
growth of the league firsthand. But even he is blown
away by his new home.
Speaker 21 (36:32):
Looks like, you know, there's still some work that needs
to be done, by how it is already, it's easily
the best facility I've been in and I haven't seen
anything else in this league like come.
Speaker 1 (36:41):
Close to it.
Speaker 3 (36:43):
All in all, it's been a great first day on
the grass.
Speaker 1 (36:46):
The team is looking good and the players are bonding,
but there's still some key pieces missing from the starting lineup,
namely a creative midfielder and a white forward who can
share the goals with the Drew King and Marcus Ingbartsen.
It's this position Tyler is working hardest on oh role
reserve for their second designated player.
Speaker 7 (37:07):
It is no secret, and I'm not surprising anybody when
I say this, but scoring goals is the most difficult
thing to do in football, and when you have a
restricted roster with discretionary spend and only a number of
different positions, you normally spend that on goal scorers or
goal contributors. Probably is a better way to frame it.
So we know we have that on the left side
of Irving and we want to get the best out
of him. So we're looking at a right winger that's
(37:29):
probably false footed, that prefers to play in the pocket,
that's a bit of a footballer, but also provides something different,
the ability to run behind, the ability to come short,
the ability to combine someone that's strong, powerful, that can
come in this league and make an impact right away.
It's also no secret that the fullbacks in this league
are also the most underpaid role. It's normally the cheapest
(37:49):
position on your roster. So if you can find a
way to then put your best players against those you
probably it defines success, and so that's the approach that.
Speaker 1 (37:59):
We're Just over a week later, we are back at
asdfc's downtown offices in Little Italy. Since the move to
(38:21):
Singing Hills, it's been much quieter here, but not today.
Today the press are gathering again, this time for a
major player announcement. The club are unveiling not one, but
two major first team signings, no surprises for which positions
are creative midfielder US national team player and San Diego
(38:44):
nator Luca de la Torre, who joins on loan with
an option to buy from Cel Tabrigo in Spain, and
sat next to him at the Kromanasoul presentation table is
Danish international winger and asdfc's second designated player Anders Dreia.
Tyler introduces the two new faces to the fans.
Speaker 7 (39:04):
Thanks Vicky and thanks everybody for coming today.
Speaker 13 (39:07):
Another exciting moment for the club.
Speaker 7 (39:09):
There's been a lot of first in the last couple
of weeks, and this one we're really excited for a
big welcome to Luca and honors two players that we
have high expectations for here in San Diego. I'm really
excited to get on the grass and started. It's no
secret that this league is won and lost by difference makers,
and I have no doubt that these two are our
(39:31):
key difference makers for us here in San Diego.
Speaker 13 (39:33):
In year one.
Speaker 1 (39:34):
The press have plenty of questions, but many zero in
on the long awaited arrival of a second dp. Anderza
probably isn't a name most fans know coming from the Belgium,
but it won't have been a decision the club took
likely Mikey.
Speaker 14 (39:51):
Good morning and tend to go put the footboarding. What
does it feel like to just have a second piece.
Speaker 7 (39:56):
Tiny with Anders joining the team now and just overall
finding that right winger that you guys have been looking
for and letting us know that you've been looking for.
Speaker 8 (40:05):
Yeah, it's extremely exciting. He's got tremendous quality left foot,
final pass, goalscoring, instinct, combination, he can create space for himself,
he can create for others, and most importantly, two things
that I really love about him is one he works
for his teammates off the ball in terms of pressing.
He's willing to be a warrior in that sense, and
(40:27):
also he wants to get better.
Speaker 13 (40:28):
He knows that he still has other levels that.
Speaker 14 (40:31):
He can get to.
Speaker 1 (40:32):
Anders oh Man a few words, is quick to agree
the growing quality of the league, combined with the club's
right to Dream philosophy, could be the perfect platform for
his developments.
Speaker 19 (40:44):
I think when I've heard about the front Shake and
the new club San Diego, I was convinced that that
was something I would love to join. And I got
the opportunity, and yeah, it was an easy to go
over here. And like Mike, you say that make myself
(41:05):
a better player. I believe I have next level in
my game, and that's something I think I can achieve.
Speaker 2 (41:12):
You.
Speaker 1 (41:13):
But for the local journalists, the big story is the
return of la They all want to know how he
feels to finally be able to represent his hometown.
Speaker 22 (41:23):
Yeah, it's a great feeling. It's something that I didn't
really think about before. But it's really special to be
able to play for your city where you're from. It's
not something that everyone gets the chance to do. I
would have loved if this was year ten years ago.
To be honest, Yeah, I'm so happy to be back,
to be able to play for my parents and people.
Speaker 11 (41:44):
Have known my whole life.
Speaker 3 (41:53):
Well, he won't have long to wait.
Speaker 1 (41:55):
With only a few weeks to go until they play
their first game, Luca and Anders will both be running
in front of the fans soon enough. The question is
how will they do, what sort of team will emerge
from this preseason and can they compete straight out of
the gates. We give the final word on preseason to
MLS journalist Charles Bohem.
Speaker 3 (42:14):
While it won't be playing.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
Sailing, he's still cautiously optimistic for the new club.
Speaker 23 (42:20):
Yeah, there's an old metaphor building the plane while while
it's still in the air, right, and there's a little
bit of that happening. I think with San Diego C
they've gone from you know, zero to sixty in very
very rapid pace, especially compared to recent MLS expansion timelines.
And Tyler Heaps joked recently in remarks to media that
(42:41):
he's not sleeping, you know, and it wasn't clear how
much of a joke it wasn't It tends to make
me bearish about their prospects for getting everything right from
the start. That's a fiendishly complex and difficult task, but
I think it does definitely inform the mentality of the club,
the desire to do something unique here. I do think
(43:02):
that San Diego SI out of the gates will struggle
because the track record is there. I mean, it's a
well established reality that expansion teams have a very difficult
time competing out of the gates and for them trying
to build not just a squad, but an organization from
scratch just in time. So there's something admirable about the
(43:22):
scope of the ambitions here. I do think they'll take
some humbling lessons in the opening months, but they can
do it. I think if you have the right people
who take the right lessons from those early struggles, then
I see no reason why they can't be at least
in the race for the playoffs, and while we wait
to see what the full squad looks like, I think
(43:43):
they have every reason to go and chase that. And
the chaotic beauty of MLS is that once you're in
the playoffs, as we saw it with l An United
and into Miami in twenty twenty four, truly anything can happen.
Speaker 1 (44:01):
It's eight twenty on February twenty second at the home
of the Galaxy on the opening night of MLS's thirtieth season.
The clock is showing fifty two minutes play after a
cage first half. Underdogs San Diego FC are holding the
champions to a nothing nothing score line.
Speaker 3 (44:20):
But all of that is about to change.
Speaker 8 (44:23):
Support one hundred and twenty miles from San Diego to
La Oh.
Speaker 3 (44:26):
It's given away.
Speaker 1 (44:31):
What a chi, It's chi, It's a getae the Galaxy.
Speaker 9 (44:40):
This mansion Sun count says San Diego lead.
Speaker 1 (44:46):
A goal out of nowhere, a Galaxy defensive mistake, and
it's the San Diego dps that react the quickness it
Choky takes possession in squares to the Danes andras Ryan
who makes no mistake in black in the opening And
it's not just San Diego's English speaking fans who celebrated
from Chilla Vista to t one radios and TVs every
(45:09):
year are tuned in and following every kick of the
ball and back in America's finest city at the Blue
Footbar and lounge, beers are flying and the crowd is
jumping as a longtime football follower, Paul our friendly neutral
(45:33):
is beginning to get excited. He's pleasantly surprised with the
quality on display.
Speaker 24 (45:38):
You will have gone on score Baba snakes the back
and try to play it out. Sugar got the ball
and pasted it nicely and San Diego of their first
ever go in mlast fantastic stuff. It's currently one thing
San Diego with fifty five minutes com.
Speaker 8 (45:59):
Yeah, the place went on. It was really good.
Speaker 1 (46:02):
The second half is a San Diego on slack. Their
confidence boosted. It's a lesson in quick, incisive passing and
high pressing, just as Mikey promised.
Speaker 3 (46:13):
But they're not perfect of course.
Speaker 1 (46:15):
The Galaxy looked dangerous too, and the chances start stacking
up for the home stack. As the clock ticks down,
it's LA's turn to pile on the pressure at Blue Boot.
The fans stay strong as the match ticks into extra.
Speaker 3 (46:27):
Time five minutes of time about it on.
Speaker 5 (46:35):
Were resolutely defending.
Speaker 12 (46:36):
Yeah again.
Speaker 24 (46:46):
Alone, Caldifly, you're gonna do that, Califly.
Speaker 7 (46:59):
Th minute slack.
Speaker 1 (47:00):
As dm C continued to soak up the pressure until
in the final seconds Galaxy.
Speaker 3 (47:08):
Loses the ball.
Speaker 1 (47:09):
Deep into added time, San Diego players forget the fatigue
in their legs and launch a devastating attack. Chroman assumes
Shirts sworn forward led by goal scorer Anders Dragon.
Speaker 2 (47:22):
Clear in just fucking Rice gone, San Diego.
Speaker 8 (47:46):
That the mist.
Speaker 3 (47:59):
Fucking back under the krap probably building.
Speaker 24 (48:06):
Beautiful little both very nicely, Yeah, cracking along.
Speaker 3 (48:13):
And that is the killer Blue.
Speaker 1 (48:16):
The Galaxy's fade a seal and SDFC are about to
make history.
Speaker 9 (48:23):
And it's over fun opening night Mikey Baras and San
Diego FC and Honors Dryer have announced their arrival in
Major League Soccer. In emphatic fashion, they take down the
defending MLS Cup champion La Galaxy to nil the final.
Speaker 3 (48:49):
Oh there, it is amazing.
Speaker 22 (48:52):
My voice is.
Speaker 5 (48:54):
Shut hill away from home saying that not left free air.
Speaker 3 (48:59):
I'm not a trumpy amazing stuff.
Speaker 12 (49:01):
I went down.
Speaker 5 (49:02):
Absolutely storm and hope loads of people massiveline say you
hear it. It was a lot of fun, two you know,
pretty clinical goals.
Speaker 3 (49:14):
I had that left borne and really just sealed it.
Speaker 5 (49:18):
San Diego honestly the same.
Speaker 3 (49:20):
Yeah, good stuff. God, Sandy.
Speaker 1 (49:26):
I don't know about you, but Paul doesn't sound so
neutral to me right now. In fact, I think that
performance may just have won as DFC a lot of
new fans well, making the existing fan base very happy indeed,
but none more so than those supporters who traveled to LA.
Speaker 3 (49:44):
This is Matthew Boose, the president of Riptides.
Speaker 2 (49:49):
I'm back on the bus driving home from Carson, and
the whole bus is electrified. Everybody's talking, everybody's watching the
repeat goals, play back goals. Literally no words can describe
the feeling from what we just witnessed.
Speaker 3 (50:10):
The team was on point, just like we've I at
least have known they were going to be. They played
like they belong here in this league. And then that
last magical goal by Dryer.
Speaker 2 (50:24):
It was insane. The funny thing is I thought the
stands were gonna break. We were jumping up and down
so hard in our section because it was just so insane.
The crowd was definitely typical LA throwing stuff at us
and booing us and this and the other, but everybody
(50:46):
stayed pretty poised, and definitely there was a beat La
chant that happened at the end, but altogether it was
just insane. Everybody played their part. You sounded great. I've
heard that on Apple TV. You could hear us like Laudenclair.
So my voice sours from all the chanting. And stuff.
Speaker 8 (51:09):
It was.
Speaker 2 (51:10):
It was so great. So yeah, San Diego's here, watch out.
Speaker 3 (51:15):
MLS, And there you have it.
Speaker 1 (51:21):
With less than two years to launch a new franchise,
building a club, an academy, a fan base, and a
first team in record time, the club announced it's a
rival to MLS and the world with a historic win,
and as we know now, it would be just the
first of many. For thirty plus years, America's finest city
has dreamed of first division men's football, and boy has
(51:44):
this club delivered. Next time on Behind the Flow, join
us for something a little bit different.
Speaker 3 (51:51):
Starting from next week, we switch.
Speaker 1 (51:53):
Gears and dive into the twenty twenty five season, following
it live in real time. I'll be joined by college
and guests to discuss the on field action, as well
as keeping tabs on the characters and stories we've followed
since the beginning. Stay tuned and keep following us for
the next chapter of San Diego FC Behind the Flow.
(52:18):
Behind the Flow is a Message Heard production. I'm your host.
Adrian garciamarkis the series producer, is McAllister Beckson, Mark Kendrick
is the assistant producers, and Rebecca ware is.
Speaker 3 (52:29):
The field producer.
Speaker 1 (52:31):
Jake Warren and Sandra Ferrari are the executive producers. James
Cox and Devil Dias are the production coordinators. The sound
editor is Lizzie Andrews and music composition is by Tom Biddle.
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