Featured
San Diego MLS is set to establish pioneering training facility and Right To Dream Academy on tribal reservation
San Diego MLS set to establish pioneering training facility and Right To Dream Academy on tribal reservation.
San Diego MLS is poised to create history by becoming the maiden professional sports organization to establish a dedicated training facility on a tribal reservation.
This groundbreaking venture, situated in El Cajon on Sycuan tribal land, covers an expansive 28-acre area and will encompass the pioneering Right To Dream residential youth development academy, a first-of-its-kind endeavor in the United States.
The project entails the establishment of a Right to Dream Academy, a residential youth academy catering to students aged 11 to 18, spanning grades 6 through 12.
Existing facilities, like the Singing Hills Hotel, will be repurposed to house dormitories and classrooms for students residing on the campus.
The facility will be accessible to students, professional players, and staff, creating an environment of inclusivity, progress, and unparalleled prospects.
Tom Penn, CEO of San Diego MLS, expressed his enthusiasm for the endeavor, remarking, “We couldn’t ask for a more perfect location for our training facility and Right to Dream Academy.”
“This land is absolutely beautiful – rich with tradition and heritage – which will give us the foundation to achieve our vision to become the epicentre of football excellence and innovation in North America.”
Prominent features of the project encompass a 125,000 square-foot campus, featuring a cutting-edge sports performance facility for both the first team and academy teams.
READ MORE : Head coach of Gold Stars, Michael Osei pleased with his side’s performance despite defeat to Olympics
This will be complemented by five full-sized soccer fields, incorporating both natural and synthetic turf. The initiative will also encompass open-air training zones and enhancements to facilitate seamless access and operations.
Cody Martinez, Sycuan Tribal Chairman, underscored the significance of this collaboration, affirming, “The establishment of the San Diego MLS training facility and youth academy right here on our reservation represents a powerful convergence of our shared passions and our commitment to the San Diego region.”
Mohamed Mansour, owner and chairman of San Diego MLS, emphasized the positive influence of the Right to Dream academy model and its potential to make a transformative impact in San Diego, a region renowned for its abundant soccer talent.
Tom Vernon, Founder/CEO of Right to Dream and a member of the San Diego MLS ownership group, expressed excitement about extending the Right to Dream ecosystem to San Diego, with the aim of redefining excellence in football and maximizing opportunities for young talent.
He stated, “This is a great opportunity to extend the Right to Dream ecosystem to San Diego with our partners. As we have, at the highest level, elsewhere we will continue to redefine what excellence means in football by bringing our unique offering of football, education and life skills development to maximize opportunities for young talent.”
The groundbreaking ceremony for this pioneering project is slated for November, during which detailed renderings of the facilities and the Right To Dream model will be unveiled
Former Black Stars midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has voiced concern over the state of football facilities in Ghana, saying inadequate infrastructure is damaging the game’s attractiveness.
The local league’s appeal over the years has dwindled with many calling for immediate action to be taken to salvage the situation.
Speaking to Kumasi based radio station, Ahenfie FM, he expunge on the poor infrastructure in the country which has reduced the appeal of the Ghana Premier League and football in general.
“The poor infrastructure is making our football less attractive.” he ended
His comments highlight ongoing challenges facing the development of football in the country, from grassroots level to the professional game
The 35-year-old, who earned 78 caps and scored 11 goals for the Black Stars between 2008 and 2017, began his career with local sides Berlin FC and Berekum Arsenal before a loan spell at Asante Kotoko.
He later returned to the Ghana Premier League with Accra Great Olympics in 2022–23 after a long career in Europe.
This week’s Ghana Premier League 2026/27 games produced incredible results across the various game venues.
- Swedru All Blacks 1–0 Asante Kotoko
Scorer: Wiafe/Eric Darkwah (penalty, late). - Hearts of Oak 1–0 Port City FC
Scorer: Frank (Abora) Duku (header). - FC AshantiGold 1–0 FC Samartex
Scorer: Raphael Ankamah
- Bechem United 4–2 Vision FC
Scorers (Bechem): Emmanuel Kobi (39’), Yaw Acheampong (62’), Kofi Tompuo (87’), own goal (stoppage time).
Scorers (Vision): Benjamin Kwarteng (47’), Ruben Quaye (51’). - Berekum Chelsea 3–0 Debibi United
Scorers: Stephen Kwakye, Dramani Awuah, Emmanuel Ofosu. - Bibiani Gold Stars 2–0 Basake Holy Stars
Scorer: Kwame Opoku 2x - Karela United 1–0 Dreams FC
Scorer: Malik Abubakar - Medeama SC 3–1 Heart of Lions
Scorers (Medeama): Emmanuel Annor (28’), Kingsley Braye (64’ and 66’).
– Kofi Mawutodzi Agbadji - Young Apostles 1–0 Aduana FC
Scorer: Samuel Prempeh (penalty, first half).
Hearts head coach Nebojša Kapor has lamented the infrastructure problems in Ghanaian football.
Hearts of Oak secured a crucial 1-0 win over Port City FC at the University of Ghana Stadium on Sunday, ending a three-match winless run in the Ghana Premier League.
Frank Duku’s 20th-minute goal was enough to separate the sides and hand the Phobians three points against the newly promoted outfit.
Despite the win, head coach Nebojša Kapor was left frustrated about the poor state of the Legon pitch.
“This is not our stadium; it’s a national stadium. Ghana football has serious problems with proper pitches,” Kapor said after the match.
The Serbian tactician’s remarks reflect growing frustration among coaches over the quality of playing surfaces across the league.
The Phobias have adopted the University of Ghana as their temporary home venue for the Ghana Premier League.
Hearts of Oak will play Vision FC in the next league game away from home.
-
CAF12 hours agoBlack Queens beat Mauritius 10-0 on aggregate to set up Zambia clash in LA 2028 Olympic Qualifiers
-
Featured3 days ago“I came to win” – Chris Ennin reflects on loss to Hearts of Oak
-
Featured3 days agoHearts of Oak’s Frank Duku strike sees off Port City
-
Featured4 days agoMatch Review : All Blacks beat Kotoko in Swedru
-
Featured3 days agoMatch Preview: Hearts of Oak vs Port City