| Club: | San Diego Loyal SC |
| Season: | 2023 |
| League: | USL Championship |
| League Result: | Western Conference: 3rd League Standings: 6th |
| Chrtitle: | Owner |
| Chairman: | Andrew Vassilanis |
| Mgrtitle: | Manager |
| Manager: | Nate Miller |
| Cup1: | USLC Playoffs |
| Cup1 Result: | Western Conference Quarterfinals |
| Cup2: | U.S. Open Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | Third Round |
| League Topscorer: | Ronaldo Damus (15) |
| Season Topscorer: | Ronaldo Damus (15) |
| Highest Attendance: | 5,671 (3 times) |
| Lowest Attendance: | 3,214 (August 9, against Loudoun United FC) |
| Average Attendance: | 4,754 |
| Largest Win: | 5-0 (July 14, against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC) |
| Largest Loss: | 0-2 (Twice, against Oakland Roots SC and Charleston Battery) |
| Pattern La1: | _orange_border |
| Pattern B1: | _whitestripeonright |
| Pattern Ra1: | _orange_border |
| Pattern So1: | _orange_top |
| Leftarm1: | 1A6A4A |
| Body1: | 1A6A4A |
| Rightarm1: | 1A6A4A |
| Shorts1: | 1A6A4A |
| Socks1: | 1A6A4A |
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| Pattern Ra2: | _lightgreenborder |
| Leftarm2: | FF8000 |
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| American: | true |
| Prevseason: | 2022 |
The 2023 San Diego Loyal SC season was San Diego Loyal SC's fourth, and last, season of existence and their fourth season in the USL Championship (USLC), the second division in the American soccer system.
After the announcement of a new MLS expansion franchise, called San Diego FC, the club announced they would cease operations at the end of the season, citing stadium struggles.[1] With supporter groups running with the catchphrase, "Bury Us With The Cup",[2] [3] the Loyal would qualify for the USL Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference, and played in what would end up being their final match in the Western Conference Quarterfinals on October 22 at Torero Stadium, in a 4–3 loss in extra time to Phoenix Rising FC.[4]
During the offseason, the Loyal experienced a coaching change when coach Landon Donovan made the move to the front office. He was later replaced by Nate Miller.[5]
As a member of the USL Championship, the San Diego Loyal entered the U.S. Open Cup in the second round on April 5, matched up against third division club Albion San Diego, a member of the National Independent Soccer Association.[6] After winning 2–0 at home,[7] [8] the Loyal would be matched up against the Seattle Sounders FC, a member of Major League Soccer, the highest division in soccer.[9] [10] After forcing added extra time away in Washington with a stoppage time goal by defender Kyle Adams, the Loyal would eventually lose 5-4 via a stoppage time penalty kick goal by Sounders' forward Fredy Montero.[11] [12] [13]
On August 24, 2023, owner Andrew Vassilanis released a statement that he would shut down the team,[14] and the USL announced that it would transfer the franchise rights of the Loyal due to an inability to find a "viable near- and long-term stadium solution", with the 2023 season set to be the club's last.[15] The team had searched for a venue to replace Torero Stadium but were unable to find suitable facilities in San Diego County; a plan to relocate to Santa Barbara was also considered, but negotiations failed to produce a solution. The announcement came three months after Major League Soccer's newest expansion franchise, San Diego FC, was announced.[16]
The Loyal qualified for the USLC Playoffs with a 16-9-9 record, securing home advantage for the first round of the playoffs on October 8.[17] Despite winning home advantage, they played their final match in the Western Conference Quarterfinals on October 22 at Torero Stadium in a 4–3 extra time loss to Phoenix Rising FC,[18] [19] who would eventually win the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs.[20]
See main article: 2023 USL Championship season.
On January 9, 2023, the USL Championship staff released the schedule for all 24 teams.[21]
All times are in Pacific Time.
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See main article: 2023 USL Championship Playoffs.
See main article: 2023 U.S. Open Cup.