For those who have followed San Diego Loyal since its first game at Torero Stadium on Feb 22, 2020, vs. Panamanian side Costa del Este, the fans wondered who its league rival would turn out to be.

Phoenix Rising quickly took that role and all of the matches against one another have not disappointed with SD Loyal winning five, Phoenix winning four and the teams tying two of their 11 meetings all-time. The most lopsided victory for Rising came in a 4-1 result on April 30, 2021, with the most dominant win for the Loyal coming on March 23 of this year in a 3-0 victory for the team led by head coach Nate Miller.

The most dramatic game was on March 26, 2022, in Arizona when San Diego Loyal came out with a nail-biting 3-2 win thanks to a 76th-minute goal from midfielder Alejandro Guido on a quick breakaway with his patented dance celebration following immediately after. The impact game, which made SD Loyal a household name, came on Sept. 30, 2020, in a match that ended in a forfeit as Loyal took a 3-1 victory into halftime. The forfeit came despite the fact that the team, led by head coach Landon Donovan at the time, came to the defense of one of its players, Collin Martin, despite the fact that the decision would cost it any chance at the postseason that year along with the opportunity for goalkeeper Jon Kempin to get the Golden Glove.

As William Shakespeare famously wrote, “What’s past is prologue,” as the two sides will face each other one last time on Sunday, Oct. 22, at Torero Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd and put to close a rivalry that has brought out the best on the pitch from every player who’s had the privilege of taking part.

SD Loyal comes in as the third seed and undefeated in its last four meetings versus Phoenix, which enters as the sixth seed. San Diego looks for its first-ever postseason victory having been eliminated in the quarterfinal round by San Antonio FC in 2021 and Oakland Roots last season.

Photos courtesy of San Diego Loyal FC