Latest news with #GoldenCityFC
CBS News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Fans excited for future of Bay Area soccer after announcement of new San Francisco team
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced Friday that the city will be getting a new Major League Soccer Next Pro Team called Golden City FC. They will play at Kezar Stadium and the city will be investing $10 million in private funding to improve the stadium. The Bay Area already has several soccer teams, including the San Jose Earthquakes, Oakland Roots and Bay FC. All of those play in different leagues. Golden FC will be playing in the same league as another team, The Town FC, which currently plays its home games in Moraga. "We're always trying to grow the game," said The Town FC fan Manny Salinpour. MLS Next Pro serves as a developmental bridge between youth soccer and MLS first teams. The Town FC is affiliated with the San Jose Earthquakes. Salinpour said he was excited to hear about a second Next Pro team in the area. "I believe it's kind of a healthy competition," explained Salinpour. Media representatives with The Town say that, on average, their home games bring in about 1,200 fans. Many of those fans say they believe there are plenty of soccer fans to support multiple teams. "I think if you look at the population, I think we all have pretty healthy populations in our cities," Salinpour said. "If you just look at Europe, for example, Holland, I think all the teams are within 5-10 miles radius. I mean, if they could do it, why can't we do it?" Co-founder of The Town, Tennyson Wilson, does believe there is a possibility of oversaturation, but not yet. "Not at this point," responded Wilson. "I think there's a lot of room for growth for soccer in the Bay Area. It's such a big place, whether you're North Bay, South Bay, East Bay, just having the ability to go see good high-level soccer, I think that's the important piece. I think we could probably get there, but I don't think we're there yet." He's excited and hopeful for the future of soccer in the Bay Area and beyond. "I think obviously, as Americans, we have baseball and soccer and football and some of these other things that will usually take some of the top talent," Wilson said. "But I think we're seeing a little bit of a shift, right? Hopefully, with some of the events that we have coming, the World Cup over the next few years, the Olympics, soccer is a really pivotal part of that, so I'm really hopeful that will build that momentum and build the fans." Salinpour believes it's particularly important to build the youth fan base. He's coached soccer clubs throughout his adult life. He's brought a lot of his kids to The Town games to show them what they can aspire to be a part of in the future. "Having a pro team out in this area is helpful," Salinpour said. "We have a lot of kids here, a lot of club youth kids, and I think it's really good for them to get their first look at the pro level."
CBS News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Professional soccer could be coming to Kezar Stadium in San Francisco
On Friday San Francisco mayor Daniel Lurie announced a plan that would bring a professional soccer team to the city. Pro soccer is coming to San Francisco! Through a new partnership with Golden City FC and @sfrecpark, we will bring an MLS NEXT Pro team to Kezar Stadium. GCFC will also put in $10 million in privately funded improvements to the stadium. There will be no changes to public access,… — Daniel Lurie 丹尼爾·羅偉 (@DanielLurie) May 9, 2025 According to the mayor's office the Golden State Football Club will be part of the MLS NEXT Pro league through Major League Soccer. Geoff Oltmans and Marc Rohrer, Co-Founders of Golden City Football Club released a statement on the plan saying: "Launching Golden City Football Club isn't just about fielding a team; it's about creating new opportunities for our community, families, and athletes to experience together the world's most accessible and unifying sport. We're especially honored to partner with Mayor Lurie and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to help revitalize the iconic Kezar Stadium, ensuring it remains a vibrant hub for recreation, resilience, and all San Franciscans for decades to come." The plan includes a minimum of $10-million dollars in upgrades to Kezar Stadium. It still has be approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Lurie is expected to present an official resolution at the meeting on May 13. The legislation is co-sponsored by District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood. "As we prepare to host the World Cup in the Bay, we're thrilled to become the new home for GCFC here in District 5 and look forward to the energy, joy, and community this will foster in our neighborhood," said Supervisor Mahmood. "The investment in Kezar is an investment in uplifting our communities—in our schools, local small businesses, and neighbors of all ages who will no doubt be the best fan base GCFC could hope for." The proposed partnership includes a 15-year agreement with two five year renewal options. After it is introduced at the Board of Supervisors meeting it will be considered by the city's Recreation and Park Commission before coming back to the supervisors in June. The inaugural season will either be in 2026 or 2027.
