On Wednesday, The Town FC announced they will call Saint Mary’s soccer stadium their home for a new professional men’s soccer club that will start playing in Moraga in 2024. However, the announcement did not include which league the team will play in. That is expected to be announced before the end of the year or in January.
“We’re honored for the ability to partner with Saint Mary’s College to bring a new pro soccer team to the East Bay region,” said Benno Nagel, CEO of The Town FC, in a press release. The club also announced they would support St. Mary’s athletics department and enhance and improve the college’s soccer stadium facilities, which can seat 5,500 spectators.
In April 2022, The Town FC announced its arrival, declaring that the East Bay needed a club that would develop a full pathway for local youth to become professional players and build interest in the sport throughout the community.
This past August, The Town FC partnered with the MLS Next Pro’s San Jose Earthquakes II, the developmental team for the MLS San Jose Earthquakes, to host one of their league games, which drew a large crowd to St. Mary’s soccer stadium. The third-division MLS Next Pro professional soccer league looks to be the most likely landing spot for The Town FC to join since the USL is not an option.
“This summer we had a great turnout on campus for the Quakes 2 game, and it showed how our campus and Moraga can support such high-level soccer in an exciting environment,” Saint Mary’s Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso said.
Moraga Mayor Renata Sos will also deliver remarks about the club’s decision to play its matches at St Mary’s Stadium during the town’s State of the Town event to be held later on Wednesday with The Town FC club officials in attendance.
Along with the league announcement, The Town FC will also release the team crest and jersey partner before the end of the year.
Besides their men’s team, The Town FC has also announced that their women’s team will join the WPSL in 2024 and then the league’s new third-division pro league in 2025.
