Latest news with #TomPenn
USA Today
06-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
San Diego FC vs. Club America: How to watch, TV channel, live stream
San Diego FC vs. Club America: How to watch, TV channel, live stream Show Caption Hide Caption 'Heartbeat' and 'Brilliant' kits unveiled for USWNT, USMNT U.S. Soccer on May 13 unveiled the 2025 Nike U.S. National Team Kit Collection, introducing new kits for the men's and women's teams . U.S. Soccer San Diego FC will host Club América on Saturday night in an inter-league friendly. The expansion MLS side will take a break from its 2025 campaign, while América is currently in its offseason and looking to recover from two recent major defeats. Las Águilas fell to Toluca in the Liga MX final at the end of May, ending the club's quest for four straight titles. Then last weekend América lost to LAFC in a Club World Cup play-in game, denying the Mexico City club a place at the FIFA event in the United States. SDFC, meanwhile, is enjoying a successful debut campaign in MLS, sitting in second place in the Western Conference standings with a 9W-3D-5L record. This friendly will be the first of two between the teams after they announced a partnership earlier this year. They will also square off in 2027. 'This partnership with Club América is a groundbreaking opportunity to collaborate with one of the most historic clubs in Mexican football,' SDFC CEO Tom Penn said when the partnership was announced. 'We believe this is a great way to connect with passionate soccer fans throughout our region and look forward to hosting Club América at Snapdragon Stadium in 2025 and 2027, providing our fans with unforgettable experiences both on and off the field in a historic inaugural year for San Diego FC.' Here is everything you need to know ahead of the match. San Diego FC vs. Club America (club friendly)
Fox Sports
13-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
San Diego FC announces measures to discourage fans from engaging in homophobic chant
San Diego FC announces measures to discourage fans from engaging in homophobic chant Updated Mar. 13, 2025 5:45 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link Associated Press SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego FC will use pre-match and in-stadium messaging, enhanced security measures and strong enforcement of policies to discourage fans from engaging in what it called 'discriminatory chants' at home matches, the team announced Thursday. A homophobic chant marred the Major League Soccer expansion club's inaugural home match March 1. The club condemned the chant after San Diego's scoreless draw with St. Louis City. There were three times in the second half that the the offensive chant was heard. The team said ticket buyers would receive a 'Know Before You Go' newsletter, which will reinforce the club's commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment. A flyer will be placed in all seat cupholders reminding fans that discriminatory language will not be tolerated, featuring the message: 'Aquí No' / 'Not Here.' Prior to kickoff, club CEO Tom Penn, coach Mikey Varas, midfielder Anibal Godoy and leaders of the team's supporters' union will deliver messages of unity and inclusivity, while emphasizing the zero-tolerance approach to the chant. A banner reinforcing the message will be displayed in the supporters' section. ADVERTISEMENT Also, the number of stadium security personnel will be increased and positioned in key areas, with a heightened presence near the opposing goalkeeper's section. Offenders will be identified and ejected, and may face additional sanctions. The FIFA three-step protocol will be in effect for San Diego home matches, which includes the ability to stop, suspend or abandon the match if discriminatory behavior persists. The one-word slur in Spanish is typically made by fans while the opposing goalkeeper takes a goal kick, and it regularly occurs in both club soccer and national team soccer in Mexico. ___ AP soccer: share
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
San Diego FC announces measures to discourage fans from engaging in homophobic chant
SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego FC will use pre-match and in-stadium messaging, enhanced security measures and strong enforcement of policies to discourage fans from engaging in what it called 'discriminatory chants' at home matches, the team announced Thursday. A homophobic chant marred the Major League Soccer expansion club's inaugural home match March 1. The club condemned the chant after San Diego's scoreless draw with St. Louis City. There were three times in the second half that the the offensive chant was heard. The team said ticket buyers would receive a 'Know Before You Go' newsletter, which will reinforce the club's commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment. A flyer will be placed in all seat cupholders reminding fans that discriminatory language will not be tolerated, featuring the message: 'Aquí No' / 'Not Here.' Prior to kickoff, club CEO Tom Penn, coach Mikey Varas, midfielder Aníbal Godoy and leaders of the team's supporters' union will deliver messages of unity and inclusivity, while emphasizing the zero-tolerance approach to the chant. A banner reinforcing the message will be displayed in the supporters' section. Also, the number of stadium security personnel will be increased and positioned in key areas, with a heightened presence near the opposing goalkeeper's section. Offenders will be identified and ejected, and may face additional sanctions. The FIFA three-step protocol will be in effect for San Diego home matches, which includes the ability to stop, suspend or abandon the match if discriminatory behavior persists. The one-word slur in Spanish is typically made by fans while the opposing goalkeeper takes a goal kick, and it regularly occurs in both club soccer and national team soccer in Mexico. ___ AP soccer:
Fox News
13-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
San Diego soccer team enhances security to eject fans who use common Mexican 'anti-gay' chant during game
The Major League Soccer (MLS) team San Diego FC has announced it is investing in major stadium operation and security initiatives to crack down on the use of an "anti-gay" chant used by fans. The chant has been commonly used by fans of the Mexican national team for many decades, and has previously resulted in sanctions against the country's soccer club in the past. San Diego FC's plan to crack down on the chant includes a drastic increase in security at Snapdragon Stadium. "The number of stadium security personnel will be increased and strategically positioned in key areas, with a heightened presence near the opposing goalkeeper's section. Offenders will be identified, ejected, and may face additional sanctions," the team wrote in its announcement. The team is also now reserving the right to pause, suspend or completely abandon a match if fans use the chant. Additionally, the team is making major changes to the team's communication with fans during and before games to prioritize discouraging the chant. Stadium staff will now place a flyer in all seat cupholders reminding fans that discriminatory language will not be tolerated, featuring the message: "Aquí No" / "Not Here." Prior to kickoff, team CEO Tom Penn, Head Coach Mikey Varas and player Aníbal Godoy will deliver pre-recorded a message discouraging the chant. And during the match, the team will display a visible in-stadium banner reinforcing the message condemning the chant in the supporters' section. The chant was most recently used during the team's home opener St. Louis City on March 1. Fans used the chant three times, despite frequent attempts by stadium staff to get the chant to stop via the public address system. Varas condemned the fans who used it after that game. "The chant that was heard tonight is unacceptable," Varas told reporters. "It's outside of our value system. It doesn't represent the players, myself or the club, and it certainly doesn't represent San Diego or Baja California. It's not a reflection of who we are. We're a community full of love, of support, and we believe in the power of diversity." The chant, which is traditionally used while an opposing goalkeeper takes a goal kick, originated in the Mexican city of Guadalajara in the early 2000s. The chant, which is repeated use of the word "puto" and translates in English to "male prostitute," went largely unaddressed by major soccer institutions, and was prominently heard at a 2004 Olympic qualifier between the U.S. and Mexico. However, it became more controversial and frowned upon as the years went on. In 2019, FIFA introduced its three-step protocol, the same one now used by San Diego FC, designed to deter supporters from participating in the chant. In 2021, all Mexico fans were banned from a pair of World Cup qualifiers because of the chant. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced that the Mexican National Team would have to play its World Cup qualifier matches against Jamaica and Canada that year in an empty stadium after fans used the chant during the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football Nations League (CONCACAF) games against Costa Rica and the USA earlier that June. The team was also fined $73,000. U.S. vs. Mexico CONCACAF Nations League matches had be suspended in back-to-back years in 2023 and 2024 after Mexico fans used the chant both times. Now, the chant has made its way to the MLS ranks, and San Diego FC is trying to curb it from spreading. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
San Diego FC announces measures to discourage fans from engaging in homophobic chant
SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego FC will use pre-match and in-stadium messaging, enhanced security measures and strong enforcement of policies to discourage fans from engaging in what it called 'discriminatory chants' at home matches, the team announced Thursday. A homophobic chant marred the Major League Soccer expansion club's inaugural home match March 1. The club condemned the chant after San Diego's scoreless draw with St. Louis City. There were three times in the second half that the the offensive chant was heard. The team said ticket buyers would receive a 'Know Before You Go' newsletter, which will reinforce the club's commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment. A flyer will be placed in all seat cupholders reminding fans that discriminatory language will not be tolerated, featuring the message: 'Aquí No' / 'Not Here.' Prior to kickoff, club CEO Tom Penn, coach Mikey Varas, midfielder Aníbal Godoy and leaders of the team's supporters' union will deliver messages of unity and inclusivity, while emphasizing the zero-tolerance approach to the chant. A banner reinforcing the message will be displayed in the supporters' section. Also, the number of stadium security personnel will be increased and positioned in key areas, with a heightened presence near the opposing goalkeeper's section. Offenders will be identified and ejected, and may face additional sanctions. The FIFA three-step protocol will be in effect for San Diego home matches, which includes the ability to stop, suspend or abandon the match if discriminatory behavior persists. The one-word slur in Spanish is typically made by fans while the opposing goalkeeper takes a goal kick, and it regularly occurs in both club soccer and national team soccer in Mexico. ___
