San Diego FC has marked a historic milestone by becoming the first MLS club to establish a training facility on Native American land, unveiling their state-of-the-art Sharp Performance Training Facility in El Cajon. The facility, which has been three years in development since breaking ground in May 2022, spans across 28 acres of the Sycuan Reservation.
SDFC Chairman and Governor Sir Mohamed Mansour presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony, expressing his enthusiasm for this significant achievement. "It's another important moment for us all who are connected to San Diego Football Club," Mansour stated. "Together, we have done so much, with Cody [Martinez] and Tom [Penn], in such a short space of time. The opening of this wonderful facility caps an incredibly busy period. I want to thank the staff of this Club from the bottom of my heart and our partners here for the hard work and professionalism for this exciting and beautiful facility that has been built."
The comprehensive facility boasts impressive features, including five full-sized soccer fields, with three featuring natural grass surfaces. Athletes and staff will benefit from a 5,800-square-foot gym, a dedicated rehabilitation center, and eight locker rooms. Perhaps most notably, the complex will house the Right to Dream youth soccer academy, an established institution that began in Ghana in 1999 and has since expanded to include branches in Denmark and Egypt, with San Diego now becoming its first United States location.
As San Diego FC prepares for their inaugural MLS season, the team still has three preseason matches remaining on their schedule, facing New York City FC, Portland Timbers, and the New York Red Bulls. The club's historic first MLS regular season match is set for February 24, when they will travel to face the LA Galaxy. Fan excitement continues to build, bolstered by the club's impressive transfer window acquisitions, including former Napoli star Hirving Lozano, ex-Brighton winger Andres Dreyer, and Andres Reyes from the New York Red Bulls, among other significant signings.
