July 1, 2025 • 46 mins
San Diegans love their sports teams — but there’s also been more than a little heartbreak over the years. It’s a history littered with false dawns and tragic endings, not least when it comes to soccer teams.
The job SDFC faces is simple: unite seven fragmented supporter groups under one banner, and appeal to a city of passionate fans in time for match day one. But with a 35,000-seat stadium to fill, they better get a move on.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Football is all about the fans, There's no question about it.
The crackle of electricity in the stadium, the noise when
the players step out onto the pitch, the flags, the drums,
the smoke, and the chanting. Chanting for their heroes, chanting
(00:29):
for their team, chanting for their city. Fans can change games.
It's why they're referred to as the twelfth man. Around
the world, there are those stadiums whose fans have become infamous.
The atmosphere fear, where away teams absolutely dread even stepping
(00:53):
onto the pitch Elasteca, San seedo Anfield. The list goes on.
(01:13):
But even here in the US, where soccer is still growing,
there are fans that bring the noise. This is the
(01:37):
sound of Portland's Timber Army. This is what it sounds
like when they sing the national anthem. And this is
(02:02):
what it sounds like when they score in the dying
seconds of an MLS Cup final. This stupid time, Where
did I expect to take a brisk game? It was
(02:26):
at a Portland game back in twenty eleven, actually, when
a young basketball pundit and budding sports executive Tom Penn
first caught the bug for the beautiful game.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
What I like to say is I'm an example of
the enlightened American fan because I went to a Portland
Timbers game with my kids in twenty eleven and they
looked up at me, they looked over at the Timbers
Army and they were just roaring in the corner and
They're like.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Daddy, this is awesome. And I'm like, this is awesome.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
I had no idea that was happening in America. And
the Timbers Army is like this outstanding expression of a
supporters group, you know, five thousand strong, just singing the
whole time, and I had never experienced that.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
So I was just like, WHOA. Well, now Tom hopes
to build something similar in San Diego. Who knows, maybe
something even better. The only problem is Providence Park in Portland,
Oregon has twenty five thousand seats and it's taken over
two decades to create that atmosphere. San Diego FC's new
home is thirty five thousand seats and they only have
(03:31):
a few months. In February twenty twenty five, San Diego
FC became the thirtieth team to enter Major League Soccer,
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
(03:53):
promising to rock American soccer 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
(04:15):
to recruit out of Mexico. I mean, this thing could
really fly, that is, if everything goes to plan. In
this episode, we go back to October twenty twenty four,
with the club working hard to bring together a fragmented
group of fans. But can seven different supporter groups overcome
their differences in time for San Diego e f c's
(04:36):
home opener. Captured in the final months before the twenty
twenty five season kicks off, this series follows sdfc's race
to field their first ever team. I'm Adrian Garcia, markis
and this is behind the Flow, the origin story of
San Diego FC. Luckily, for San Diego Football Club, this
(05:03):
isn't Tom Penn's first rodeo. His success in launching LAFC
is now legendary or perhaps infamous, depending on your point
of view. LAFC has a great stadium, just twenty two
thousand seats, but its whole north stand is run by
the fans, a group called the thirty two to fifty two,
and to be fair, they really bring it. But San
(05:33):
Diego FC has the opportunity to drown out their noisy
neighbors to the north. At thirty five thousand seats, Snapdragon
Stadium could be something really special if they can fill it. Well,
we have a.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Big challenge to fill up the biggest building in MLS
outside of the NFL buildings in Atlanta, Charlotte and Seattle
were the highest capacity, so we have a much bigger opportunity,
which it's a bigger challenge too. Right there's three point
three million people here before we get anybody from Mexico
across the border, so there's.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
A lot of people.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
I love the belief that once this thing is alive
and established, it's going to just take off like wildfire,
because it's going to be a level sports entertainment with
San Diego on our chest, and people love San Diego.
The Padres when they're in a playoff run are just electric.
The whole place goes bonkers.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
He's not wrong. Petco Park has never looked or sounded
so good. But in terms of the San Diego sports market,
the Padres are the only Major league competition, leaving MLS
with a golden opportunity. A point that's not lost on
(06:53):
head coach mikey Badis.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
San Diego coming to MLS is going to be a
game changer because this region is been hungry for a
men's professional soccer team football team, right, you know. I
think the first amazing step was the women's team, the
Wave coming in and you could see that the support
for them has been amazing and they've done a great
job at really setting the bar. And when you look
(07:16):
at San Diego, whenever there's a major tournament, the viewership
TV viewership in San Diego is always amongst the highest
in the country. Whenever an international club or national team
comes and plays in San Diego, it's a sellout and
it's rocking.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
Sporting Director Tyler Heaps is in agreement. In fact, the
whole organization is aligned on this. Their first priority, perhaps
their top priority, is to fill the snap Dragon stands
with passionate local support.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
We need to embrace this community because those fans are
extremely passionate about their sport, and so we need to
make sure that we lean into that and we are
a product on the field that makes them proud and
it's something that looks like the community here, because that
is extremely important. The football clubs belong to the community,
and that's no different here, especially a new one. Right
(08:09):
we don't have this historical pedigree of being able to
say we can lean on all of this and all
these pillars. So we need to create that. And the
only way you create that is by embracing it.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
The question is how do you build a loyal, vocal,
passionate fan base in such a short space of time.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
This is Ray Weber.
Speaker 5 (08:30):
I'm a longtime Mission Valley resident here in San Diego,
and we're at snap Dragon Stadium, home of the San
Diego State Aztecs, home of the San Diego Wave and
soon to be home of SDFC, our new MLS franchise
here in San Diego.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
On a beautiful September day in twenty twenty four, we
find seventy year old football fan Ray Weber beaming with
pride as he gazes up at San Diego State University's
three hundred million snap Dragons Stadium. He stands in the
shadow of towering banks of seating, the floodlights arching high
overhead like the proverbial dragon's clause. There are some great
(09:12):
MLS stadiums already, no doubt, but the biggest are shared
with NFL teams and don't tend to sell out. This
beauty will be the largest soccer specific stadium in the league,
and Ray knows as well as anyone what it will
take for MLS and SDFC to fill it.
Speaker 5 (09:29):
Number One, you have to get fans in the building,
So you have to make the games accessible and affordable
for fans. You just can't play in front of empty stadium,
So they've got to get people in, and then once
they're in, they just have to have a great experience.
Speaker 6 (09:44):
Right.
Speaker 5 (09:45):
So we're still very very early on. I like to
think that all of my soccer tribe will come to games,
some more than others. Some will come and check out
a few games. I think most will. Whether they'll commit
to being ticket holders, that's kind of up to them.
I think that all soccer fans are going to come
(10:05):
to games here.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
One thing San Diego FC can be sure of is
the love of the sport here. Snap Dragon is already
home to the Wave, the city's women's team. They broke
the NWSL attendance record on their first ever game and
never look back. But if SDFC are going to fill
it week in and week out, they'll need an army
of diehard fans.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
But I will say this that the fanatics, they'll be
up to speed very quickly. So I expect a good core,
maybe a lot of younger fans in particular, They're going
to rock this place and they'll be up to speed. No,
I think the passion will grow from there.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Ray is happy to leave that to younger men, but
he has faith in San Diego's next generation to come
out in force.
Speaker 5 (10:50):
That's one thing I like about the younger fans. They
really get the singing, the drinking of beverages, the scarves,
the travel. It's the culture and once you're in, it's
hard to get out.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Back at SDFC headquarters on Kettner Boulevard, CEO Tumpen has
a plan to make sure Snapdragon is rocking from the start.
He never forgot the effect of the Timber Army, which
is why when he built LAFC he copied the Portland model.
The Army and the thirty two fifty two aren't just
ramshackle groups of loyalists. These are official, well structured organizations.
(11:35):
They are unions, an alliance of different supporter groups, each
with their own styling culture, unified united under one banner.
Now he's hoping to repeat the trick here in San Diego.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
So they're force at our matches because they drive the atmosphere,
because they sing their songs and play their drums and
throw off their smoke and check their beers in the
air when we score goals, and it's just super fun.
But then they become a force in the community too,
because the way a union works, they can take dues,
they can raise money, and then they deploy it in
(12:13):
their own way in the community, and then we.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Can partner with them on that.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
So they become a real force for good and all that,
and the fabric of how that comes together and then
expresses itself at all those.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
Levels is yet to be determined. And that's the fun part.
It's also the scary part. The reason it's scary is
because they are creating something powerful, a political entity with
leverage over the club. Football fans aren't exactly known for
their diplomacy, but then that's kind of the point, isn't it.
The men Tom put in charge of uniting San Diego's
(12:47):
largest supporter groups into a union is Seb Morua, Senior
Vice President A Brand, Marketing and Community. Luckily, Seb's been
around the bloc A tenure Right to Dream veterans work
with grassroots supporters across every continent on Earth.
Speaker 7 (13:05):
The right to dream mindst when it comes to football
and a community is first and foremost recognizing the unique
local context of that community and its relationship to the game.
I can tell you that the passion in San Diego,
the passion for the game in San Diego is unparalleled
(13:26):
to anywhere I have been in the US. As a
Latin American. It really reminds me of the same passion
that we feel in Costa Rica in other Latin American
countries that I have worked in.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Seb knows fan culture and he knows what a force
it could be for San Diego. FC.
Speaker 7 (13:47):
Supporters are the driver of that movement within the stadium,
and they're the ones setting the tone and when the
team concedes or when the team is losing, the supporters
get louder, and it's a factor that influences visiting teams
one hundred. So it's it's a competitive advantage for teams
(14:08):
that do it well. That's a huge component of the match,
the experience, and more than the match, the experience, that's
just a huge factor of football culture.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Since day one, SEB has been attending fan rallies and
holding focused groups trying to understand the opinions and priorities
of San Diego sports fans. These are the supporter groups
that fly the flag at Padres Games, Aztec Games, Wave games,
and since way back, the soccers groups with names like
(14:48):
Dago Boys, the Chapels, Frontea, Ultrust, the Riptides, and the
locals groups that SEB hosts will fill the three one
thousand seat home section behind the goal in Snapdragon's North
stand come match day one.
Speaker 7 (15:07):
We've identified a group of leaders that are partnering with
us to build that section and they're pouring their lives
into it. And you know, these are volunteers. They don't
do it as a job. They do it because they
love the game. They do it because they love their
community and our job is that they end up truly
falling in love with the club that represents the game
(15:30):
in their community.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
The reception SEB received from these groups has been mostly positive,
but some have reservations about partnering with an MLS club,
especially a club who's a rival. Coincided with the folding
of San Diego's very popular second division team as Deloyal
that this.
Speaker 8 (15:49):
Will be the last season for San Diego Loyal, and
a very emotional and heartfelt statement Loyal chairman Andrew Vassiliadas
announcing that year number four of the San Diego Loyal
will sadly be the franchise's last.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
You know, it's absolutely crushing, you know what you're talking about,
The Loyal, a team that's poured its heart and its
money into the community.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
This is kind of a different way of saying, well,
MLS came into this market with different owners, they got
the stadium solution that they needed.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
There was no room for USL That's another way to
look at this. The Loyal, once helmed by local USA
Hall of Famer London Donovan, had always hoped it'd be
them who'd get a shot at representing their city in
Major League Soccer, but it wasn't to be.
Speaker 7 (16:34):
I have always looked at what Loyal did as amazing.
I know there were conversations with the club owners to
consider an opportunity to be part of our ownership group,
and that ended up not happening. But I think from
a public opinion perspective, and particularly Loyal support, because they
(17:01):
poured so much into the development of the fan base
and the club, I think, of course, there were a
lot of people that were hurt and naturally right we
one hundred percent understand.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
That the Loyal went out of business shortly after sdfc's arrival,
but most accept the change. The Locals was one San
Diego Loyal supporter group that has officially made the switch,
but it was a hard decision.
Speaker 9 (17:27):
My name is Andrew dyerd formerly was a big supporter
of San Diego Loyal. I drummed in the stands and
I was on leadership in one of the supporter groups
for San Diego Loyal. Then around the time that STFC
announced themselves, shortly thereafter, Loyal announced they would be folding,
(17:52):
and yeah, we all kind of had to make a decision,
and that for us, you know, has been an ongoing
I think challenge. I started out as like a never
sdfcer and then at some point transitions to like, let's
give it a go.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
But disagreements about how to progress, both amongst the supporter
groups and with the club soon made Andrew feel like
maybe it wasn't for him after all.
Speaker 9 (18:20):
Just because of all the infighting and drama you get
with any anything like this, Right, you're always going to
have that. But because the stakes were so high, I
mean that's the way I thought this was a high stakes.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Thing we're doing.
Speaker 9 (18:33):
It became incredibly frustrating to run up against challenges that
you know, I was just spending way too much mental
energy on dealing with and at some point, you know,
you just have to call it in and step away.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
Seven. The folks at SDFC also had doubts about whether
they could get San Diego's fan groups to work together,
that is until the unveiling of their first star player.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
San Diego f C formerly introduced the Mexican Soccer Star
urbing Chucky Losana.
Speaker 10 (19:05):
Yeah, I've already seen the billboard, ZEPSI, says Jay Garrianni,
joining us now with more on Chuky Mania.
Speaker 6 (19:10):
From North Keunty to the South Soccer enthusiast united to
welcome living and Chucky Losano to San Diego.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Mexican national team forward and World Cup hero irbin Chucky Losano,
a player who has won silverware wherever he's played. And
trust me, I was there that night man. In fact,
I was on stage next to Chuky doing the announcing,
(19:40):
and I gotta tell you, looking out at the stands,
looking out at the fans, everybody gathered together, united in
one voice, singing hell Chucky Losano. It was a moment
that said, Wow. I think everyone as DFC new right
then and there. If they could get these fans all
on the same page, they'd have some really special on
(20:01):
their hands.
Speaker 11 (20:13):
My name is John Cross, and I'm the president of
the San Diego Independent Supporters Union.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Today the Supporters Union is known by another name, FRONTETA SD.
But remember this is back in October twenty twenty four,
before there was even a team to cheer for. John
is another hardcore loyal fan who's been making the switch
to SDFC, and despite suffering the effects of long COVID,
he's thrown himself into trying to build on what they
(20:40):
had at Torrero Stadium. But this is the big leagues,
this is MLS. They're going to need a much bigger
core of fanatics to get snap Dragon bouncing, and they
need to build it fast.
Speaker 11 (20:52):
A lot of times they you know, what we think
of supporters around the world is built up over decades
and generations and family can and this is both the
burden and the excitement about a brand new team. The
excitement is you get to kind of start setting the
tone for what that culture is going to be from
(21:14):
the very beginning. You can help shape it. The burden
is all the work that goes into trying to actually
make that happen.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
Having so many former sd loyal folks come over to
SDFC certainly helps. Some are even now working for the
club as employees. But right from the off there were problems.
Different supporter groups had different priorities. Things moved slowly, and
the club was in a rush to make progress. With
tensions mounting, factions formed, But John and the other union
(21:42):
leaders always felt it would be worth it in the end.
Speaker 11 (21:46):
I think we all understood also in the back of
our minds, it doesn't work unless we all come together
somehow and choose to work together. If we really want
to stand shoulder to shoulder with one voice. Three thousand
plus people in that section is not going to work
with various independent groups doing their own thing.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
After months of work, one of the biggest remaining issues
is the involvement of one of San Diego's most prominent
fan groups, Dago Boys, a traditional Latin American style supporter group.
The club desperately wants them involved, but they have been
delaying joining the union, partly because they disagree with the
pricing structure and ticket allocations, partly because of tensions with
(22:30):
other groups, and partly because well, paperwork isn't their thing.
I think.
Speaker 11 (22:36):
I mean, all the groups have their own culture and
have contributed to the union in some way. Some are
more on the organizational side, some are on the leadership side.
If you look at a group like Daego Boys, they
are by far just visually watching when we talk about
what we want to create on match days, that is encapsulated,
(22:57):
especially in what Daego Boys do. I think the disconnect
happened when we started opening up memberships and then Dago
Boys had some concerns about some of the decisions that
had been made in their absence, and my position as
presidents of the union was like, if you want to
come in and help influence the decisions. You need to
become members of the union, because that's who makes the decisions.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Things all came to a head at an event held
in early October twenty twenty four. Remember that opening scene
of episode one where fangroups nearly came to blows in
the street. This was that moment, for there it is,
and that's John who just heard the first of a
barrage of fireworks announcing the arrival of the Dago Boys
(23:52):
Daego Boys, who are not officially part of the union
yet and who are in the process of breaking a
number of the Union's rules in regular relations, as well
as several public coordinances. By the time Dago Boys arrived,
a dozen cop cars had circled, supporter groups were squaring off,
(24:14):
insults were flying, and the venue owner had barred the
Dago Boys from entry.
Speaker 11 (24:20):
Thankfully, the SDPD kept their distance and didn't antagonize the
situation at all, and cooler heads eventually prevailed and everything
settled down. But that was that was on a cusp
of going sideways really fast. If someone had lost their
temper and thrown a punch pushed too hard, who knows
(24:43):
how the police would have reacted, I mean, could have
been an ugly situation all the way around.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
That was October fourth. It's now less than four months
until their home opener, and the union is in chaos
and that risk of collapse. Over the next couple weeks,
Tentative messages are exchanged. Seven john were to bring all
sides back to the table, but social media posts have
emerged revealing there's still a lot of bad blood. On
(25:15):
October fifteenth, all seven supporter groups reconvene for a major
meeting of the union at SDFC headquarters at twenty one
hundred Kettner in Little Italy. This gathering was scheduled to
be a formal confirmation that all the paperwork is in
order and the requirements have been met to officially partner
with the club. Anthony Ernandez, president of Dago Boys, shares
(25:37):
his thoughts just before heading in.
Speaker 12 (25:41):
We're working on the union for seven groups. As of
right now, we have six groups that are pretty part
of the union and we're still waiting to become one
of them. Yeah, it's going to be kind of hard
right now. Why because there's some things going on between
the union and us, So it's going to be a
pretty tight meeting, but hopefully we could work with them
(26:02):
or get to an agreement that works for the outcome
that we all want. If not, we're just going to
keep pushing and fighting for it so we get something
that we deserve.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
As for what happened at the fen em It, Anthony
can't see the problem. It's just what they do well.
Speaker 12 (26:17):
We normally just whenever we show up to an event,
we show up in Caravana, we gather up like a
couple of blocks back from the event, and we always
march down that day. We were I think we were
doing perfectly. We had our little show going on. I
think the union kind of got upset the way they
came out and reached to us. I don't think it
(26:38):
was the right way, so everything kind of got heated up.
We're all here for the same reason, you know. I've
been in soccer my whole life since my dad. I
belong to a supporters group in Mexico. I have a
lot of experience. I've been through a lot. Like it's
just way different out there than here, Like I've been
to a lot. I've been through a lot of things
out there, like crazy that people don't imagine here. So yeah,
(26:59):
hopefully we could work out things out and then just
going from right there.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
John interim president of the Union, will be leading the presentation.
Aside from dealing with the tensions within the group, he's
also desperate to get the club to officially sign off
so they can all move forward. Adjusting this COVID mask.
Up on the human top floor of San Diego vs's
downtown headquarters, he's feeling the heat and the strength of
(27:25):
these past few weeks and months. He's also uncertain of
what he's walking into.
Speaker 11 (27:32):
Well, obviously, our hope is to be officially recognized. That's
the whole point of this meeting, as from our perspective.
The club gave us some documentation over the summer of
what was going to be required to be officially recognized.
We think we've gone above and beyond those recognition requirements,
but yeah, it seems to have changed over time of
(27:56):
what this event is actually going to be.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
We'll see the large open plan room is packed out
with dozens of supporters. Up here on the seventh floor,
a wall of glass panels offers a dazzling view of
the lights of downtown San Diego, like a blanket of
stars rolling all the way out to the Pacific Ocean.
(28:22):
And if the setting doesn't fully convey the sense of awe,
then the assembled panel of SDFC executives does. Sitting up
front is CEO Tom Penn, co owner in Sequon Tribal
Chairman Cody Martinez, and head coach Mikey Badas. Clearly it's
business time. Tom Penn kicks things off with some good news.
(28:45):
They've agreed to drop ticket prices for union members.
Speaker 11 (28:52):
In no way, shape or formed it via at dollar
tickets in our plan.
Speaker 2 (28:56):
But I remember, well, you know everything you all said,
and I told you I had to go through a process,
and so.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
You know, it's taken longer than inspected. A part has
coming together. It's taken a while.
Speaker 2 (29:10):
Too, but you know, officially, more or less, you know,
it's eighteen dollars days.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
Next up is coach Bias, who gives a presentation on
his footballing ideas and how he wants to set up
the team, But he soon flips into the supporters. He
starts a conversation about team culture that extends into the stands.
Speaker 6 (29:34):
So what I'll say is, I think all of us
are after the trophies because of those kind of goals
when we when we go to the elite level, So
one hundred percent of respect that that's that's where.
Speaker 13 (29:45):
It would be.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
But the fact of the matters.
Speaker 6 (29:48):
We start a project. First game on the twenty second
away to Galaxy.
Speaker 4 (29:54):
We're gonna on the thirteen.
Speaker 1 (29:58):
As you can probably tell, Mikey wasn't supposed to share
that piece of information, but it goes down pretty well
the secrets out game one, we go to La I
almost told you.
Speaker 7 (30:13):
I'm thinking about telling you later.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
Phone of silence please.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
On Monday we're announced away.
Speaker 14 (30:23):
First match out.
Speaker 13 (30:24):
There, we go kick their.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
Next. Mikey asks the room to name some non negotiables
for the team. Characteristics that win, loser, draw. They swear
to live by it. Heart, passion, and unity are the
first three answers that come up. He's building momentum and
his message is landing. It's a team effort all the
(30:54):
way around.
Speaker 6 (30:56):
Our history starts now, doesn't start when the first game
House it has already started.
Speaker 14 (31:03):
We get to write it. I'll love your reader. We
get to be on the ground floor of what's going
to be the most amazing.
Speaker 6 (31:11):
And inspirational projects in all of MLS and in North America.
Speaker 14 (31:17):
So all I hope is that whatever we do, we
all do with that vision.
Speaker 1 (31:22):
That next up is junk, followed by various group representatives
who go up one by one and deliver their presentation.
They nail it. Tom Penn and the other SDSC staff
are completely blown away. In fact, the whole meeting is
going perfectly, that is, until the subject of internal politics
(31:46):
comes up. It's time to address the elephant in the room.
Speaker 14 (31:55):
But really, ultimately it comes down to be able to
start code of conduct and members saving and this really
was reinforced at the event the Friday before E Live.
You could have had arrests, people in the hospital and
a major news story that was huge. And when you
have a group that starts lighting off fireworks and marches
(32:20):
down on Curial Avenue block in both lanes of traffic
and has two patrol cars unseen before they're even at
the door of the venue, that's a problem. That's a
problem for us, frankly, it's a problem for you.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
The room descends into chaos. Some Dago Boys feel like
they're being ganged up on, Others think the Dago Boys
are being obstructed. It's getting tense and at risk of
falling apart when seb steps into media.
Speaker 13 (32:52):
You read our comedian to the fresh start that we're
talking about.
Speaker 1 (32:56):
You got owned that individually.
Speaker 13 (32:58):
So when you leave these field, if somebody makes the comments,
you gotta.
Speaker 6 (33:03):
Call them out.
Speaker 7 (33:04):
And it's the same on your side.
Speaker 13 (33:06):
The social media bullshit that's going on, that's gotta stop.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
That doesn't any but that just a noise. Those in
the room who fill the club shouldn't be interfering with
an independent supporters union at all.
Speaker 2 (33:23):
Is the mom and pop?
Speaker 6 (33:23):
I'm gonna stop that.
Speaker 1 (33:25):
What the mom and popping gonna stop? All right?
Speaker 13 (33:28):
So why have we been in the middle of this
because you guys, you guys can't do it.
Speaker 4 (33:32):
On your own.
Speaker 15 (33:33):
Clue right, So was the moment bucks up?
Speaker 1 (33:36):
Yeah, I would love for that.
Speaker 13 (33:38):
I will have to Actually, I would get my weekends
back him spending.
Speaker 1 (33:41):
Him with John on the phone yelling at me.
Speaker 13 (33:44):
So, yeah, we want that to stop or you guys
got a word to get it.
Speaker 1 (33:48):
But arguments break out once again.
Speaker 7 (33:53):
What you're saying this?
Speaker 1 (33:59):
At this point, Tom Penn tries to step in before
it gets out of hand.
Speaker 3 (34:05):
Let me tell you, Bray, please.
Speaker 1 (34:12):
The temperature in the room is sky high. These are
passionate people who at the end of the day all
want the same thing. Eventually, one supporter steps up and
says something they can all agree on. Maybe some people
put bone lighting each other. You're right, you probably are right,
one hundred percent right.
Speaker 4 (34:29):
But so well, man, let's just put that to the
sighting and work together.
Speaker 1 (34:32):
Because you guys bring that.
Speaker 13 (34:33):
Flavor that other people don't ring.
Speaker 1 (34:36):
But other people bring that.
Speaker 13 (34:37):
Flavor that you guys don't ring.
Speaker 3 (34:38):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (34:39):
They we get all work together, man, trusting night, you
know what.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
I mean, all are in agreement. They need to put
the pass behind them, though precisely how they're going to
do that is unclear. The office doors are opened up,
allowing the tensions to disperse. As the supporter groups all
(35:04):
file out of the building, they laugh and joke. Only
time will tell if this piece will hold. As the
last members leave, Seb stops to share his thoughts.
Speaker 13 (35:15):
Yeah. So, I think the main problem tonight is about
the groups not being able to compromise and to put
their differences aside to work together. At the root of
the problem, that's what's happening. We had Tom penn Our
CEO and Cody Martinez our chairman and owner. So I
(35:36):
also did know how that was going to go and
if he was really good to have Mikey's participation because
that brought a different voice that they all respect and
look up to. And you know, the relationship between the
coach and the supporters is always an important one.
Speaker 1 (35:53):
Seb actually thinks the meeting could have gone a lot worse.
Speaker 13 (35:57):
Because I know a lot of these guys. I can
stand up and raise my voice and also call them out,
and the good thing is that they're all receptive to it.
They're all open to it. None of them walked out.
You know, We've had people walk out before. None of
them walked out, and they work through their frustrations and
that's something that for sure we have to recognize.
Speaker 1 (36:19):
Tom Penn gets it too. He's seen it all before.
Speaker 2 (36:23):
I was a little nervous about it, and we're in
a real time pressure situation now where we needed to
bring everybody together so that we can move this forward.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
You know.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
But I've always known of all these guys major passion
guys and gals, right, I mean, the group is just
they're so passionate, which is what you want, and so
with that comes passionate about differences and you know, so
we'll see it all comes together.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
They won't have long to wait. At the weekend, the
club is holding a big fan rally for San Diego's
Hispanic and Latino community, a rally where the Union is
supposed to be out in force. It's early evening on
(37:19):
the eighteenth of October and the party is getting started.
We're back in downtown San Diego at an open air
events space. Throngs of people are laughing and smiling, eating
free tackles and watching their kids play games and waiting
for the bands and dj to start. Amongst the SDFC
(37:40):
faces here is Seb Morua, who keeps glancing towards the
street entrance waiting to see which, if any of the
Union supporter groups shows up.
Speaker 13 (37:50):
Tonight, we are throwing our first Carnasala Consan Diego barbecue,
essentially a community barbecue. We sponsored a bunch of different
things to just create a little bit of a neighborhood
festival vibe for the predominantly Mexican community, and also as
(38:12):
an opportunity again for our supporter groups to come together
and show what they're about.
Speaker 1 (38:19):
SAB is ensure what to expect this kind of event
is a golden opportunity for everyone, both for the club
in terms of community outreach and for the supporter groups.
This is a great chance to recruit new members.
Speaker 13 (38:31):
You know, I think particularly in soccer, the Hispanic Mexican
Latino communities love the game.
Speaker 1 (38:39):
For us, it's religion.
Speaker 13 (38:40):
And so we're gonna have the Banda, which is Northern
Mexican music play and you're gonna see everybody line dancing
and so so yeah, I think it's important because number one,
we're doing it for the first.
Speaker 1 (38:55):
Time, and we're sending a message.
Speaker 13 (38:56):
To the Hispanic Mexican Latino community.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
At now we see them and.
Speaker 13 (39:01):
They feel like this is a club for them. But
this event tonight is taking in a step further and deeper,
which we want to continue to do.
Speaker 1 (39:13):
Then it happens quiet at first, then loud singing, drums
and chanty. They're here. People rush outside to see the
(39:40):
wall of color and sound. Marching down Imperial Avenue. One
hundred or more supporters are blocking four lanes of traffic.
They're smoke, streamers, flags and banners, banners emblazon with the
group's names, all seven of them. They are united as
(40:12):
they parade into the courtyard. It descends into a mush
pack jumping and cheering and singing for SDFC. This is
Matthew Boose, president of the Rip Titans, one of seven
(40:36):
supporter groups. He's confident the Union is starting a new chapter.
Speaker 13 (40:41):
As the Union us as individual supporter groups. We decided
that that.
Speaker 1 (40:46):
Is obviously something we needed to be at.
Speaker 13 (40:48):
So we decided to show up.
Speaker 4 (40:50):
A lot was said on Tuesday evening, but it's something
that needs to happen because we're all family and at
the end.
Speaker 14 (40:57):
Of the day, we all love each other and we
come together and we march down the street as a as.
Speaker 1 (41:02):
A huge family, making a lot of fun noise.
Speaker 7 (41:05):
There's smoke, there's chanting, marching, jumping up and down.
Speaker 1 (41:08):
Is just such a great energy.
Speaker 6 (41:10):
That's the passion, that's the energy that.
Speaker 11 (41:12):
We're gonna show ten old come you know, game day
one twenty five.
Speaker 1 (41:18):
Another member, Vanessa, couldn't agree more.
Speaker 10 (41:21):
It's an amazing feeling to see that while we all
have differences because we you know, each individual group got
together to create something. But the fact that all of
us took the time, we heard everyone out and we said,
you know what, we're doing this for the love of
a sport that we have, so we're gonna band together
(41:42):
and we're gonna do this. So to have everyone here
and really enjoying themselves and really having that family feel,
it's absolutely amazing. I'm just really glad that we got here.
We came as a union, we came as one, and
it shows and it is a great vibe.
Speaker 1 (42:10):
Seb emerges, smiling and soaking wet with the mix of
sweat and beer.
Speaker 13 (42:16):
The supporter groups just entered about thirty minutes ago, and
thankfully they came in together and they sang together. So yeah,
I think we're all very happy. I just spoke to
a few of them and they they're happy as well.
They enjoyed it and now they just enjoying the night.
Speaker 1 (42:36):
As the bunda strikes up and people start to dance,
Seb is thankful for what he hopes is the beginning
of something special. You can't argue with the show the
supporters just put on. People are going up to them
to congratulate them and ask them how they join wait
(42:58):
till they hear about the eighteen dollars tickets. We spoke
to one pair of fans who recently signed up to
join DAEGO Boys. Juan fell at home straight away.
Speaker 15 (43:08):
My name is Juan Cano and I'm part of the
Diego Boys. I love the family atmosphere they have. I
like the how welcome I was the day I showed
up here and with the guys.
Speaker 1 (43:20):
I didn't know. One hasn't had a chance to speak
to the leadership about the latest union updates. But the
news is Dago Boys is now a full member and
it's full steam ahead.
Speaker 15 (43:32):
Our leaders, Burly and Ford was that they worked something
else with them, so they haven't They haven't told us
what the agreement was. But I mean, we're just excited
to be part offs SDFCRE. I mean we can't wait
to support them.
Speaker 1 (43:48):
And Juan didn't join up on his own, He also
registered his three year old son. Seems to me like
the club's future is in good hands.
Speaker 15 (43:59):
He's my son, he's youngest, he's the youngest a member
and Diego Boys, you knows all the cheers just up
last week. The teacher called me telling me that then uh,
he started doing a cheer during naptime. He did sc
sc Let's see.
Speaker 1 (44:56):
You know, it might not happen all at once, but
if these guys do feel those three thousand seats in
the North stand. If their energy and passion catches on man,
imagine a thirty five thousand sellout crowd feeding off of them.
La and Portland better watch out next time. On Behind
(45:21):
the Flow, Mikey and Tyler take time to remind themselves
of what it is they're building and why. They jet
off on a whirlwind world tour of the Rank to
Dream Network, visiting Ghana, Egypt, and Denmark as they figure
out how to adapt the model to MLS. Behind the
(45:44):
Flow is a message heard production. I'm your host. Adrian
garciamaricis the series producer, is McAllister Beckson. Mark Kendrick is
the assistant producer, and Rebecca Ware is the field producer.
Jake Warren and Sandra Ferrari are the executive producers. James
Cox and dagl Diz are the production coordinators. The sound
(46:04):
editor is Lizzie Andrews and music composition is by Tom Biddle.
Football is all about the fans, There's no question about it.
The crackle of electricity in the stadium, the noise when
the players step out onto the pitch, the flags, the drums,
the smoke, and the chanting. Chanting for their heroes, chanting
(00:29):
for their team, chanting for their city. Fans can change games.
It's why they're referred to as the twelfth man. Around
the world, there are those stadiums whose fans have become infamous.
The atmosphere fear, where away teams absolutely dread even stepping
(00:53):
onto the pitch Elasteca, San seedo Anfield. The list goes on.
(01:13):
But even here in the US, where soccer is still growing,
there are fans that bring the noise. This is the
(01:37):
sound of Portland's Timber Army. This is what it sounds
like when they sing the national anthem. And this is
(02:02):
what it sounds like when they score in the dying
seconds of an MLS Cup final. This stupid time, Where
did I expect to take a brisk game? It was
(02:26):
at a Portland game back in twenty eleven, actually, when
a young basketball pundit and budding sports executive Tom Penn
first caught the bug for the beautiful game.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
What I like to say is I'm an example of
the enlightened American fan because I went to a Portland
Timbers game with my kids in twenty eleven and they
looked up at me, they looked over at the Timbers
Army and they were just roaring in the corner and
They're like.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Daddy, this is awesome. And I'm like, this is awesome.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
I had no idea that was happening in America. And
the Timbers Army is like this outstanding expression of a
supporters group, you know, five thousand strong, just singing the
whole time, and I had never experienced that.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
So I was just like, WHOA. Well, now Tom hopes
to build something similar in San Diego. Who knows, maybe
something even better. The only problem is Providence Park in Portland,
Oregon has twenty five thousand seats and it's taken over
two decades to create that atmosphere. San Diego FC's new
home is thirty five thousand seats and they only have
(03:31):
a few months. In February twenty twenty five, San Diego
FC became the thirtieth team to enter Major League Soccer,
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
(03:53):
promising to rock American soccer 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
(04:15):
to recruit out of Mexico. I mean, this thing could
really fly, that is, if everything goes to plan. In
this episode, we go back to October twenty twenty four,
with the club working hard to bring together a fragmented
group of fans. But can seven different supporter groups overcome
their differences in time for San Diego e f c's
(04:36):
home opener. Captured in the final months before the twenty
twenty five season kicks off, this series follows sdfc's race
to field their first ever team. I'm Adrian Garcia, markis
and this is behind the Flow, the origin story of
San Diego FC. Luckily, for San Diego Football Club, this
(05:03):
isn't Tom Penn's first rodeo. His success in launching LAFC
is now legendary or perhaps infamous, depending on your point
of view. LAFC has a great stadium, just twenty two
thousand seats, but its whole north stand is run by
the fans, a group called the thirty two to fifty two,
and to be fair, they really bring it. But San
(05:33):
Diego FC has the opportunity to drown out their noisy
neighbors to the north. At thirty five thousand seats, Snapdragon
Stadium could be something really special if they can fill it. Well,
we have a.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Big challenge to fill up the biggest building in MLS
outside of the NFL buildings in Atlanta, Charlotte and Seattle
were the highest capacity, so we have a much bigger opportunity,
which it's a bigger challenge too. Right there's three point
three million people here before we get anybody from Mexico
across the border, so there's.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
A lot of people.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
I love the belief that once this thing is alive
and established, it's going to just take off like wildfire,
because it's going to be a level sports entertainment with
San Diego on our chest, and people love San Diego.
The Padres when they're in a playoff run are just electric.
The whole place goes bonkers.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
He's not wrong. Petco Park has never looked or sounded
so good. But in terms of the San Diego sports market,
the Padres are the only Major league competition, leaving MLS
with a golden opportunity. A point that's not lost on
(06:53):
head coach mikey Badis.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
San Diego coming to MLS is going to be a
game changer because this region is been hungry for a
men's professional soccer team football team, right, you know. I
think the first amazing step was the women's team, the
Wave coming in and you could see that the support
for them has been amazing and they've done a great
job at really setting the bar. And when you look
(07:16):
at San Diego, whenever there's a major tournament, the viewership
TV viewership in San Diego is always amongst the highest
in the country. Whenever an international club or national team
comes and plays in San Diego, it's a sellout and
it's rocking.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
Sporting Director Tyler Heaps is in agreement. In fact, the
whole organization is aligned on this. Their first priority, perhaps
their top priority, is to fill the snap Dragon stands
with passionate local support.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
We need to embrace this community because those fans are
extremely passionate about their sport, and so we need to
make sure that we lean into that and we are
a product on the field that makes them proud and
it's something that looks like the community here, because that
is extremely important. The football clubs belong to the community,
and that's no different here, especially a new one. Right
(08:09):
we don't have this historical pedigree of being able to
say we can lean on all of this and all
these pillars. So we need to create that. And the
only way you create that is by embracing it.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
The question is how do you build a loyal, vocal,
passionate fan base in such a short space of time.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
This is Ray Weber.
Speaker 5 (08:30):
I'm a longtime Mission Valley resident here in San Diego,
and we're at snap Dragon Stadium, home of the San
Diego State Aztecs, home of the San Diego Wave and
soon to be home of SDFC, our new MLS franchise
here in San Diego.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
On a beautiful September day in twenty twenty four, we
find seventy year old football fan Ray Weber beaming with
pride as he gazes up at San Diego State University's
three hundred million snap Dragons Stadium. He stands in the
shadow of towering banks of seating, the floodlights arching high
overhead like the proverbial dragon's clause. There are some great
(09:12):
MLS stadiums already, no doubt, but the biggest are shared
with NFL teams and don't tend to sell out. This
beauty will be the largest soccer specific stadium in the league,
and Ray knows as well as anyone what it will
take for MLS and SDFC to fill it.
Speaker 5 (09:29):
Number One, you have to get fans in the building,
So you have to make the games accessible and affordable
for fans. You just can't play in front of empty stadium,
So they've got to get people in, and then once
they're in, they just have to have a great experience.
Speaker 6 (09:44):
Right.
Speaker 5 (09:45):
So we're still very very early on. I like to
think that all of my soccer tribe will come to games,
some more than others. Some will come and check out
a few games. I think most will. Whether they'll commit
to being ticket holders, that's kind of up to them.
I think that all soccer fans are going to come
(10:05):
to games here.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
One thing San Diego FC can be sure of is
the love of the sport here. Snap Dragon is already
home to the Wave, the city's women's team. They broke
the NWSL attendance record on their first ever game and
never look back. But if SDFC are going to fill
it week in and week out, they'll need an army
of diehard fans.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
But I will say this that the fanatics, they'll be
up to speed very quickly. So I expect a good core,
maybe a lot of younger fans in particular, They're going
to rock this place and they'll be up to speed. No,
I think the passion will grow from there.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Ray is happy to leave that to younger men, but
he has faith in San Diego's next generation to come
out in force.
Speaker 5 (10:50):
That's one thing I like about the younger fans. They
really get the singing, the drinking of beverages, the scarves,
the travel. It's the culture and once you're in, it's
hard to get out.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Back at SDFC headquarters on Kettner Boulevard, CEO Tumpen has
a plan to make sure Snapdragon is rocking from the start.
He never forgot the effect of the Timber Army, which
is why when he built LAFC he copied the Portland model.
The Army and the thirty two fifty two aren't just
ramshackle groups of loyalists. These are official, well structured organizations.
(11:35):
They are unions, an alliance of different supporter groups, each
with their own styling culture, unified united under one banner.
Now he's hoping to repeat the trick here in San Diego.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
So they're force at our matches because they drive the atmosphere,
because they sing their songs and play their drums and
throw off their smoke and check their beers in the
air when we score goals, and it's just super fun.
But then they become a force in the community too,
because the way a union works, they can take dues,
they can raise money, and then they deploy it in
(12:13):
their own way in the community, and then we.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Can partner with them on that.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
So they become a real force for good and all that,
and the fabric of how that comes together and then
expresses itself at all those.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
Levels is yet to be determined. And that's the fun part.
It's also the scary part. The reason it's scary is
because they are creating something powerful, a political entity with
leverage over the club. Football fans aren't exactly known for
their diplomacy, but then that's kind of the point, isn't it.
The men Tom put in charge of uniting San Diego's
(12:47):
largest supporter groups into a union is Seb Morua, Senior
Vice President A Brand, Marketing and Community. Luckily, Seb's been
around the bloc A tenure Right to Dream veterans work
with grassroots supporters across every continent on Earth.
Speaker 7 (13:05):
The right to dream mindst when it comes to football
and a community is first and foremost recognizing the unique
local context of that community and its relationship to the game.
I can tell you that the passion in San Diego,
the passion for the game in San Diego is unparalleled
(13:26):
to anywhere I have been in the US. As a
Latin American. It really reminds me of the same passion
that we feel in Costa Rica in other Latin American
countries that I have worked in.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Seb knows fan culture and he knows what a force
it could be for San Diego. FC.
Speaker 7 (13:47):
Supporters are the driver of that movement within the stadium,
and they're the ones setting the tone and when the
team concedes or when the team is losing, the supporters
get louder, and it's a factor that influences visiting teams
one hundred. So it's it's a competitive advantage for teams
(14:08):
that do it well. That's a huge component of the match,
the experience, and more than the match, the experience, that's
just a huge factor of football culture.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Since day one, SEB has been attending fan rallies and
holding focused groups trying to understand the opinions and priorities
of San Diego sports fans. These are the supporter groups
that fly the flag at Padres Games, Aztec Games, Wave games,
and since way back, the soccers groups with names like
(14:48):
Dago Boys, the Chapels, Frontea, Ultrust, the Riptides, and the
locals groups that SEB hosts will fill the three one
thousand seat home section behind the goal in Snapdragon's North
stand come match day one.
Speaker 7 (15:07):
We've identified a group of leaders that are partnering with
us to build that section and they're pouring their lives
into it. And you know, these are volunteers. They don't
do it as a job. They do it because they
love the game. They do it because they love their
community and our job is that they end up truly
falling in love with the club that represents the game
(15:30):
in their community.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
The reception SEB received from these groups has been mostly positive,
but some have reservations about partnering with an MLS club,
especially a club who's a rival. Coincided with the folding
of San Diego's very popular second division team as Deloyal
that this.
Speaker 8 (15:49):
Will be the last season for San Diego Loyal, and
a very emotional and heartfelt statement Loyal chairman Andrew Vassiliadas
announcing that year number four of the San Diego Loyal
will sadly be the franchise's last.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
You know, it's absolutely crushing, you know what you're talking about,
The Loyal, a team that's poured its heart and its
money into the community.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
This is kind of a different way of saying, well,
MLS came into this market with different owners, they got
the stadium solution that they needed.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
There was no room for USL That's another way to
look at this. The Loyal, once helmed by local USA
Hall of Famer London Donovan, had always hoped it'd be
them who'd get a shot at representing their city in
Major League Soccer, but it wasn't to be.
Speaker 7 (16:34):
I have always looked at what Loyal did as amazing.
I know there were conversations with the club owners to
consider an opportunity to be part of our ownership group,
and that ended up not happening. But I think from
a public opinion perspective, and particularly Loyal support, because they
(17:01):
poured so much into the development of the fan base
and the club, I think, of course, there were a
lot of people that were hurt and naturally right we
one hundred percent understand.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
That the Loyal went out of business shortly after sdfc's arrival,
but most accept the change. The Locals was one San
Diego Loyal supporter group that has officially made the switch,
but it was a hard decision.
Speaker 9 (17:27):
My name is Andrew dyerd formerly was a big supporter
of San Diego Loyal. I drummed in the stands and
I was on leadership in one of the supporter groups
for San Diego Loyal. Then around the time that STFC
announced themselves, shortly thereafter, Loyal announced they would be folding,
(17:52):
and yeah, we all kind of had to make a decision,
and that for us, you know, has been an ongoing
I think challenge. I started out as like a never
sdfcer and then at some point transitions to like, let's
give it a go.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
But disagreements about how to progress, both amongst the supporter
groups and with the club soon made Andrew feel like
maybe it wasn't for him after all.
Speaker 9 (18:20):
Just because of all the infighting and drama you get
with any anything like this, Right, you're always going to
have that. But because the stakes were so high, I
mean that's the way I thought this was a high stakes.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Thing we're doing.
Speaker 9 (18:33):
It became incredibly frustrating to run up against challenges that
you know, I was just spending way too much mental
energy on dealing with and at some point, you know,
you just have to call it in and step away.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
Seven. The folks at SDFC also had doubts about whether
they could get San Diego's fan groups to work together,
that is until the unveiling of their first star player.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
San Diego f C formerly introduced the Mexican Soccer Star
urbing Chucky Losana.
Speaker 10 (19:05):
Yeah, I've already seen the billboard, ZEPSI, says Jay Garrianni,
joining us now with more on Chuky Mania.
Speaker 6 (19:10):
From North Keunty to the South Soccer enthusiast united to
welcome living and Chucky Losano to San Diego.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Mexican national team forward and World Cup hero irbin Chucky Losano,
a player who has won silverware wherever he's played. And
trust me, I was there that night man. In fact,
I was on stage next to Chuky doing the announcing,
(19:40):
and I gotta tell you, looking out at the stands,
looking out at the fans, everybody gathered together, united in
one voice, singing hell Chucky Losano. It was a moment
that said, Wow. I think everyone as DFC new right
then and there. If they could get these fans all
on the same page, they'd have some really special on
(20:01):
their hands.
Speaker 11 (20:13):
My name is John Cross, and I'm the president of
the San Diego Independent Supporters Union.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Today the Supporters Union is known by another name, FRONTETA SD.
But remember this is back in October twenty twenty four,
before there was even a team to cheer for. John
is another hardcore loyal fan who's been making the switch
to SDFC, and despite suffering the effects of long COVID,
he's thrown himself into trying to build on what they
(20:40):
had at Torrero Stadium. But this is the big leagues,
this is MLS. They're going to need a much bigger
core of fanatics to get snap Dragon bouncing, and they
need to build it fast.
Speaker 11 (20:52):
A lot of times they you know, what we think
of supporters around the world is built up over decades
and generations and family can and this is both the
burden and the excitement about a brand new team. The
excitement is you get to kind of start setting the
tone for what that culture is going to be from
(21:14):
the very beginning. You can help shape it. The burden
is all the work that goes into trying to actually
make that happen.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
Having so many former sd loyal folks come over to
SDFC certainly helps. Some are even now working for the
club as employees. But right from the off there were problems.
Different supporter groups had different priorities. Things moved slowly, and
the club was in a rush to make progress. With
tensions mounting, factions formed, But John and the other union
(21:42):
leaders always felt it would be worth it in the end.
Speaker 11 (21:46):
I think we all understood also in the back of
our minds, it doesn't work unless we all come together
somehow and choose to work together. If we really want
to stand shoulder to shoulder with one voice. Three thousand
plus people in that section is not going to work
with various independent groups doing their own thing.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
After months of work, one of the biggest remaining issues
is the involvement of one of San Diego's most prominent
fan groups, Dago Boys, a traditional Latin American style supporter group.
The club desperately wants them involved, but they have been
delaying joining the union, partly because they disagree with the
pricing structure and ticket allocations, partly because of tensions with
(22:30):
other groups, and partly because well, paperwork isn't their thing.
I think.
Speaker 11 (22:36):
I mean, all the groups have their own culture and
have contributed to the union in some way. Some are
more on the organizational side, some are on the leadership side.
If you look at a group like Daego Boys, they
are by far just visually watching when we talk about
what we want to create on match days, that is encapsulated,
(22:57):
especially in what Daego Boys do. I think the disconnect
happened when we started opening up memberships and then Dago
Boys had some concerns about some of the decisions that
had been made in their absence, and my position as
presidents of the union was like, if you want to
come in and help influence the decisions. You need to
become members of the union, because that's who makes the decisions.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Things all came to a head at an event held
in early October twenty twenty four. Remember that opening scene
of episode one where fangroups nearly came to blows in
the street. This was that moment, for there it is,
and that's John who just heard the first of a
barrage of fireworks announcing the arrival of the Dago Boys
(23:52):
Daego Boys, who are not officially part of the union
yet and who are in the process of breaking a
number of the Union's rules in regular relations, as well
as several public coordinances. By the time Dago Boys arrived,
a dozen cop cars had circled, supporter groups were squaring off,
(24:14):
insults were flying, and the venue owner had barred the
Dago Boys from entry.
Speaker 11 (24:20):
Thankfully, the SDPD kept their distance and didn't antagonize the
situation at all, and cooler heads eventually prevailed and everything
settled down. But that was that was on a cusp
of going sideways really fast. If someone had lost their
temper and thrown a punch pushed too hard, who knows
(24:43):
how the police would have reacted, I mean, could have
been an ugly situation all the way around.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
That was October fourth. It's now less than four months
until their home opener, and the union is in chaos
and that risk of collapse. Over the next couple weeks,
Tentative messages are exchanged. Seven john were to bring all
sides back to the table, but social media posts have
emerged revealing there's still a lot of bad blood. On
(25:15):
October fifteenth, all seven supporter groups reconvene for a major
meeting of the union at SDFC headquarters at twenty one
hundred Kettner in Little Italy. This gathering was scheduled to
be a formal confirmation that all the paperwork is in
order and the requirements have been met to officially partner
with the club. Anthony Ernandez, president of Dago Boys, shares
(25:37):
his thoughts just before heading in.
Speaker 12 (25:41):
We're working on the union for seven groups. As of
right now, we have six groups that are pretty part
of the union and we're still waiting to become one
of them. Yeah, it's going to be kind of hard
right now. Why because there's some things going on between
the union and us, So it's going to be a
pretty tight meeting, but hopefully we could work with them
(26:02):
or get to an agreement that works for the outcome
that we all want. If not, we're just going to
keep pushing and fighting for it so we get something
that we deserve.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
As for what happened at the fen em It, Anthony
can't see the problem. It's just what they do well.
Speaker 12 (26:17):
We normally just whenever we show up to an event,
we show up in Caravana, we gather up like a
couple of blocks back from the event, and we always
march down that day. We were I think we were
doing perfectly. We had our little show going on. I
think the union kind of got upset the way they
came out and reached to us. I don't think it
(26:38):
was the right way, so everything kind of got heated up.
We're all here for the same reason, you know. I've
been in soccer my whole life since my dad. I
belong to a supporters group in Mexico. I have a
lot of experience. I've been through a lot. Like it's
just way different out there than here, Like I've been
to a lot. I've been through a lot of things
out there, like crazy that people don't imagine here. So yeah,
(26:59):
hopefully we could work out things out and then just
going from right there.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
John interim president of the Union, will be leading the presentation.
Aside from dealing with the tensions within the group, he's
also desperate to get the club to officially sign off
so they can all move forward. Adjusting this COVID mask.
Up on the human top floor of San Diego vs's
downtown headquarters, he's feeling the heat and the strength of
(27:25):
these past few weeks and months. He's also uncertain of
what he's walking into.
Speaker 11 (27:32):
Well, obviously, our hope is to be officially recognized. That's
the whole point of this meeting, as from our perspective.
The club gave us some documentation over the summer of
what was going to be required to be officially recognized.
We think we've gone above and beyond those recognition requirements,
but yeah, it seems to have changed over time of
(27:56):
what this event is actually going to be.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
We'll see the large open plan room is packed out
with dozens of supporters. Up here on the seventh floor,
a wall of glass panels offers a dazzling view of
the lights of downtown San Diego, like a blanket of
stars rolling all the way out to the Pacific Ocean.
(28:22):
And if the setting doesn't fully convey the sense of awe,
then the assembled panel of SDFC executives does. Sitting up
front is CEO Tom Penn, co owner in Sequon Tribal
Chairman Cody Martinez, and head coach Mikey Badas. Clearly it's
business time. Tom Penn kicks things off with some good news.
(28:45):
They've agreed to drop ticket prices for union members.
Speaker 11 (28:52):
In no way, shape or formed it via at dollar
tickets in our plan.
Speaker 2 (28:56):
But I remember, well, you know everything you all said,
and I told you I had to go through a process,
and so.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
You know, it's taken longer than inspected. A part has
coming together. It's taken a while.
Speaker 2 (29:10):
Too, but you know, officially, more or less, you know,
it's eighteen dollars days.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
Next up is coach Bias, who gives a presentation on
his footballing ideas and how he wants to set up
the team, But he soon flips into the supporters. He
starts a conversation about team culture that extends into the stands.
Speaker 6 (29:34):
So what I'll say is, I think all of us
are after the trophies because of those kind of goals
when we when we go to the elite level, So
one hundred percent of respect that that's that's where.
Speaker 13 (29:45):
It would be.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
But the fact of the matters.
Speaker 6 (29:48):
We start a project. First game on the twenty second
away to Galaxy.
Speaker 4 (29:54):
We're gonna on the thirteen.
Speaker 1 (29:58):
As you can probably tell, Mikey wasn't supposed to share
that piece of information, but it goes down pretty well
the secrets out game one, we go to La I
almost told you.
Speaker 7 (30:13):
I'm thinking about telling you later.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
Phone of silence please.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
On Monday we're announced away.
Speaker 14 (30:23):
First match out.
Speaker 13 (30:24):
There, we go kick their.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
Next. Mikey asks the room to name some non negotiables
for the team. Characteristics that win, loser, draw. They swear
to live by it. Heart, passion, and unity are the
first three answers that come up. He's building momentum and
his message is landing. It's a team effort all the
(30:54):
way around.
Speaker 6 (30:56):
Our history starts now, doesn't start when the first game
House it has already started.
Speaker 14 (31:03):
We get to write it. I'll love your reader. We
get to be on the ground floor of what's going
to be the most amazing.
Speaker 6 (31:11):
And inspirational projects in all of MLS and in North America.
Speaker 14 (31:17):
So all I hope is that whatever we do, we
all do with that vision.
Speaker 1 (31:22):
That next up is junk, followed by various group representatives
who go up one by one and deliver their presentation.
They nail it. Tom Penn and the other SDSC staff
are completely blown away. In fact, the whole meeting is
going perfectly, that is, until the subject of internal politics
(31:46):
comes up. It's time to address the elephant in the room.
Speaker 14 (31:55):
But really, ultimately it comes down to be able to
start code of conduct and members saving and this really
was reinforced at the event the Friday before E Live.
You could have had arrests, people in the hospital and
a major news story that was huge. And when you
have a group that starts lighting off fireworks and marches
(32:20):
down on Curial Avenue block in both lanes of traffic
and has two patrol cars unseen before they're even at
the door of the venue, that's a problem. That's a
problem for us, frankly, it's a problem for you.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
The room descends into chaos. Some Dago Boys feel like
they're being ganged up on, Others think the Dago Boys
are being obstructed. It's getting tense and at risk of
falling apart when seb steps into media.
Speaker 13 (32:52):
You read our comedian to the fresh start that we're
talking about.
Speaker 1 (32:56):
You got owned that individually.
Speaker 13 (32:58):
So when you leave these field, if somebody makes the comments,
you gotta.
Speaker 6 (33:03):
Call them out.
Speaker 7 (33:04):
And it's the same on your side.
Speaker 13 (33:06):
The social media bullshit that's going on, that's gotta stop.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
That doesn't any but that just a noise. Those in
the room who fill the club shouldn't be interfering with
an independent supporters union at all.
Speaker 2 (33:23):
Is the mom and pop?
Speaker 6 (33:23):
I'm gonna stop that.
Speaker 1 (33:25):
What the mom and popping gonna stop? All right?
Speaker 13 (33:28):
So why have we been in the middle of this
because you guys, you guys can't do it.
Speaker 4 (33:32):
On your own.
Speaker 15 (33:33):
Clue right, So was the moment bucks up?
Speaker 1 (33:36):
Yeah, I would love for that.
Speaker 13 (33:38):
I will have to Actually, I would get my weekends
back him spending.
Speaker 1 (33:41):
Him with John on the phone yelling at me.
Speaker 13 (33:44):
So, yeah, we want that to stop or you guys
got a word to get it.
Speaker 1 (33:48):
But arguments break out once again.
Speaker 7 (33:53):
What you're saying this?
Speaker 1 (33:59):
At this point, Tom Penn tries to step in before
it gets out of hand.
Speaker 3 (34:05):
Let me tell you, Bray, please.
Speaker 1 (34:12):
The temperature in the room is sky high. These are
passionate people who at the end of the day all
want the same thing. Eventually, one supporter steps up and
says something they can all agree on. Maybe some people
put bone lighting each other. You're right, you probably are right,
one hundred percent right.
Speaker 4 (34:29):
But so well, man, let's just put that to the
sighting and work together.
Speaker 1 (34:32):
Because you guys bring that.
Speaker 13 (34:33):
Flavor that other people don't ring.
Speaker 1 (34:36):
But other people bring that.
Speaker 13 (34:37):
Flavor that you guys don't ring.
Speaker 3 (34:38):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (34:39):
They we get all work together, man, trusting night, you
know what.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
I mean, all are in agreement. They need to put
the pass behind them, though precisely how they're going to
do that is unclear. The office doors are opened up,
allowing the tensions to disperse. As the supporter groups all
(35:04):
file out of the building, they laugh and joke. Only
time will tell if this piece will hold. As the
last members leave, Seb stops to share his thoughts.
Speaker 13 (35:15):
Yeah. So, I think the main problem tonight is about
the groups not being able to compromise and to put
their differences aside to work together. At the root of
the problem, that's what's happening. We had Tom penn Our
CEO and Cody Martinez our chairman and owner. So I
(35:36):
also did know how that was going to go and
if he was really good to have Mikey's participation because
that brought a different voice that they all respect and
look up to. And you know, the relationship between the
coach and the supporters is always an important one.
Speaker 1 (35:53):
Seb actually thinks the meeting could have gone a lot worse.
Speaker 13 (35:57):
Because I know a lot of these guys. I can
stand up and raise my voice and also call them out,
and the good thing is that they're all receptive to it.
They're all open to it. None of them walked out.
You know, We've had people walk out before. None of
them walked out, and they work through their frustrations and
that's something that for sure we have to recognize.
Speaker 1 (36:19):
Tom Penn gets it too. He's seen it all before.
Speaker 2 (36:23):
I was a little nervous about it, and we're in
a real time pressure situation now where we needed to
bring everybody together so that we can move this forward.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
You know.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
But I've always known of all these guys major passion
guys and gals, right, I mean, the group is just
they're so passionate, which is what you want, and so
with that comes passionate about differences and you know, so
we'll see it all comes together.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
They won't have long to wait. At the weekend, the
club is holding a big fan rally for San Diego's
Hispanic and Latino community, a rally where the Union is
supposed to be out in force. It's early evening on
(37:19):
the eighteenth of October and the party is getting started.
We're back in downtown San Diego at an open air
events space. Throngs of people are laughing and smiling, eating
free tackles and watching their kids play games and waiting
for the bands and dj to start. Amongst the SDFC
(37:40):
faces here is Seb Morua, who keeps glancing towards the
street entrance waiting to see which, if any of the
Union supporter groups shows up.
Speaker 13 (37:50):
Tonight, we are throwing our first Carnasala Consan Diego barbecue,
essentially a community barbecue. We sponsored a bunch of different
things to just create a little bit of a neighborhood
festival vibe for the predominantly Mexican community, and also as
(38:12):
an opportunity again for our supporter groups to come together
and show what they're about.
Speaker 1 (38:19):
SAB is ensure what to expect this kind of event
is a golden opportunity for everyone, both for the club
in terms of community outreach and for the supporter groups.
This is a great chance to recruit new members.
Speaker 13 (38:31):
You know, I think particularly in soccer, the Hispanic Mexican
Latino communities love the game.
Speaker 1 (38:39):
For us, it's religion.
Speaker 13 (38:40):
And so we're gonna have the Banda, which is Northern
Mexican music play and you're gonna see everybody line dancing
and so so yeah, I think it's important because number one,
we're doing it for the first.
Speaker 1 (38:55):
Time, and we're sending a message.
Speaker 13 (38:56):
To the Hispanic Mexican Latino community.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
At now we see them and.
Speaker 13 (39:01):
They feel like this is a club for them. But
this event tonight is taking in a step further and deeper,
which we want to continue to do.
Speaker 1 (39:13):
Then it happens quiet at first, then loud singing, drums
and chanty. They're here. People rush outside to see the
(39:40):
wall of color and sound. Marching down Imperial Avenue. One
hundred or more supporters are blocking four lanes of traffic.
They're smoke, streamers, flags and banners, banners emblazon with the
group's names, all seven of them. They are united as
(40:12):
they parade into the courtyard. It descends into a mush
pack jumping and cheering and singing for SDFC. This is
Matthew Boose, president of the Rip Titans, one of seven
(40:36):
supporter groups. He's confident the Union is starting a new chapter.
Speaker 13 (40:41):
As the Union us as individual supporter groups. We decided
that that.
Speaker 1 (40:46):
Is obviously something we needed to be at.
Speaker 13 (40:48):
So we decided to show up.
Speaker 4 (40:50):
A lot was said on Tuesday evening, but it's something
that needs to happen because we're all family and at
the end.
Speaker 14 (40:57):
Of the day, we all love each other and we
come together and we march down the street as a as.
Speaker 1 (41:02):
A huge family, making a lot of fun noise.
Speaker 7 (41:05):
There's smoke, there's chanting, marching, jumping up and down.
Speaker 1 (41:08):
Is just such a great energy.
Speaker 6 (41:10):
That's the passion, that's the energy that.
Speaker 11 (41:12):
We're gonna show ten old come you know, game day
one twenty five.
Speaker 1 (41:18):
Another member, Vanessa, couldn't agree more.
Speaker 10 (41:21):
It's an amazing feeling to see that while we all
have differences because we you know, each individual group got
together to create something. But the fact that all of
us took the time, we heard everyone out and we said,
you know what, we're doing this for the love of
a sport that we have, so we're gonna band together
(41:42):
and we're gonna do this. So to have everyone here
and really enjoying themselves and really having that family feel,
it's absolutely amazing. I'm just really glad that we got here.
We came as a union, we came as one, and
it shows and it is a great vibe.
Speaker 1 (42:10):
Seb emerges, smiling and soaking wet with the mix of
sweat and beer.
Speaker 13 (42:16):
The supporter groups just entered about thirty minutes ago, and
thankfully they came in together and they sang together. So yeah,
I think we're all very happy. I just spoke to
a few of them and they they're happy as well.
They enjoyed it and now they just enjoying the night.
Speaker 1 (42:36):
As the bunda strikes up and people start to dance,
Seb is thankful for what he hopes is the beginning
of something special. You can't argue with the show the
supporters just put on. People are going up to them
to congratulate them and ask them how they join wait
(42:58):
till they hear about the eighteen dollars tickets. We spoke
to one pair of fans who recently signed up to
join DAEGO Boys. Juan fell at home straight away.
Speaker 15 (43:08):
My name is Juan Cano and I'm part of the
Diego Boys. I love the family atmosphere they have. I
like the how welcome I was the day I showed
up here and with the guys.
Speaker 1 (43:20):
I didn't know. One hasn't had a chance to speak
to the leadership about the latest union updates. But the
news is Dago Boys is now a full member and
it's full steam ahead.
Speaker 15 (43:32):
Our leaders, Burly and Ford was that they worked something
else with them, so they haven't They haven't told us
what the agreement was. But I mean, we're just excited
to be part offs SDFCRE. I mean we can't wait
to support them.
Speaker 1 (43:48):
And Juan didn't join up on his own, He also
registered his three year old son. Seems to me like
the club's future is in good hands.
Speaker 15 (43:59):
He's my son, he's youngest, he's the youngest a member
and Diego Boys, you knows all the cheers just up
last week. The teacher called me telling me that then uh,
he started doing a cheer during naptime. He did sc
sc Let's see.
Speaker 1 (44:56):
You know, it might not happen all at once, but
if these guys do feel those three thousand seats in
the North stand. If their energy and passion catches on man,
imagine a thirty five thousand sellout crowd feeding off of them.
La and Portland better watch out next time. On Behind
(45:21):
the Flow, Mikey and Tyler take time to remind themselves
of what it is they're building and why. They jet
off on a whirlwind world tour of the Rank to
Dream Network, visiting Ghana, Egypt, and Denmark as they figure
out how to adapt the model to MLS. Behind the
(45:44):
Flow is a message heard production. I'm your host. Adrian
garciamaricis the series producer, is McAllister Beckson. Mark Kendrick is
the assistant producer, and Rebecca Ware is the field producer.
Jake Warren and Sandra Ferrari are the executive producers. James
Cox and dagl Diz are the production coordinators. The sound
(46:04):
editor is Lizzie Andrews and music composition is by Tom Biddle.
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