World Cup puts Bay Area in focus as San Francisco lacks a pro club | OneFootball

The Bay Area hosts the United States in the round of 32 in Santa Clara, yet San Francisco has no professional club despite clear football appetite.

L'Équipe notes the team are based at Irvine’s Great Park, with Los Angeles staging a 4-1 win over Paraguay and a 2-3 loss to Türkiye, and Seattle a 2-0 win against Australia. Bosnia and Herzegovina await in Santa Clara at two in the morning on Thursday, with a possible last 16 return to Seattle.

Unlike Los Angeles, represented by Galaxy and LAFC, San Francisco has no MLS franchise. Brief attempts in the 21st century, California Victory and the Deltas, folded, and Golden City FC is planned for 2027 in MLS Next Pro.

The region’s professional game sits more than 70 kilometres south-east in San Jose, where the Earthquakes were founded in 1974 near Levi’s Stadium. Pelé’s Cosmos visited and George Best played in 1980-81, and Paul Marie says staggered seasons help crowds, with World Cup screenings at San Pedro Square Market.

Within San Francisco, supporter-run SF City FC use Kezar Stadium, while the Glens have built on Treasure Island between the city and Oakland. Sunday’s US League Two derby there ended 2-0 to SFCFC.

Club figures say lower divisions are booming as elite tickets prove costly, so they aim to fill the gap without a local pro side. Membership has risen from 350 to 600, tickets cost $8-$12, the USA v Bosnia and Herzegovina resale price rose from $1,800 to more than $3,000, and the SFSFL, founded in 1902, underlines lasting grassroots passion. Fans have been crowding outside bars, and clubs hope to harness the World Cup momentum.

Source: L'Équipe