”Dining hall, for example, is a big Right to Dream space where Chucky Lozano, one of our top players, can sit and eat beside an academy kid,” continued Escoto. “When you go into the gym space, it’s a workout space that’s shared by both academy and first team. It’s really integrated.” Integration also crosses international borders.

It helps explain why SDFC entrusted its inaugural season and beyond to Mikey Varas, a 41-year-old who didn’t play at a high level, never has been a professional head coach and spent the majority of his career patrolling the sidelines of youth games populated by parents in lawn chairs.

San Diego FC has its first-ever head coach: former interim head coach for the U.S. Men's National Team, Mikey Varas.

Watch the Game Highlights from Chicago Red Stars vs. San Diego Wave FC, 09/22/2024

The Wave scored multiple goals for the first time since May 8, leading to their first victory since the same date, a span of 13 matches. It was their first road win in 10 tries this year. Wednesday, María Sánchez scored a second-half hat trick as the Wave rallied to beat the Portland Thorns 3-2 in a Concacaf W Champions Cup match that doesn’t count toward the NWSL standings.