City SC San Diego of USL2 and So Cal Dutch Lions of USL W League are preparing for inaugural seasons in the semi-professional ranks, which start next week. Both teams will be playing their respective home games at various stadiums across the county, but the one consistent will be the same regional rival in Capo FC. The USL2 team will face its northern nemesis from Orange County once during its 12 regular-season matches while the USL W side will take on Capo FC three times as part of its 10-game schedule.

“We are a fantastic club to be a part of,” said City SC San Diego head coach Paul Ritchie. “We’re still very nomadic and we hope to find and settle in one field that is soccer-specific.”

City SC is made up of experienced players led by the talents of former Albion San Diego midfielder, Andrew Kleszewski, who helped lead them to the 2023 NISA semifinal and also faced off with Capo FC several times in 2024 during his time at Irvine Zeta FC when that team reached the final.

The USL W League side will be playing its first season led by head coach Katie Ritchie and meeting with Capo FC for the first time at home on June 7, followed by a road game on June 11 and then home on June 15.

“The growth of the women’s game has exploded in the last few years,” said Ritchie. “I just want to give back to all these girls that want the same opportunities. The game opened a lot of doors for me to play in a lot of different countries with a lot of good clubs.”

City SC opens its season on May 18 while the Dutch Lions, who will also have a team competing in the Women’s Premier Soccer League, will start on May 25.

So Cal Dutch Lions photo by Briar Van Slyke. Photo courtesy of City SC San Diego.