San Diego Zest FC
| Full name | San Diego Zest FC |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 |
| Stadium | RIMAC, Madison High School |
| Capacity | 2,000 |
| Owners | San Diego Sports Authority |
| Head Coach | Cem Tont |
| League | Premier Development League |
| 2016 | 2nd, Southwest Division Playoffs: Divisional Playoff |
| Website | Club website |
San Diego Zest FC is an American soccer team in San Diego, California, United States. The club is founded in 2016 owned and operated by the San Diego Sports Authority, a sports management company. They will compete in the Southwest Division of the Premier Development League. San Diego Zest FC is set to play at University of California, San Diego's RIMAC as one of its locations in its inaugural season. The team colors are Orange, Navy, and White.
The San Diego Zest FC was established in 2016 by a sports management company called San Diego Sports Authority, hereafter SDSA, located at San Diego, CA. The project was started in 2014 with aim of developing the local community soccer level and providing Japanese soccer players the path to pro in the U.S. On January 21, 2016, the Premier Development League announced that it had awarded the franchise to San Diego Zest FC, starting with the 2016 season. "San Diego has for a long time been a target city for the PDL, we are very excited the outstanding leadership of the San Diego Sports Authority will be the group that brings the league to a great soccer city, and are looking forward to working with the club for many years to come.” said league director Todd Eason. The club hosted its first ever open tryout on Saturday February 6th, 2016 at James Madison High School, and two weeks later gave an announcement that approximately 30 prospective players participated. The second open tryout was held a week later, February 13th at the same field and the number of participants increased to 60. On July 6th 2016, San Diego Zest FC announced its first affiliation agreement, partnering with Japanese club Avispa Fukuoka, which competes in Japan's first division. SD Zest FC became the first PDL team to partner with a J1 League club, signing a renewable one-year agreement. The SD Zest FC defeated PDL 2016 season's only unbeaten club at the time FC Tucson, which had went on to win the Western Conference Southwest Division Title by a score of 2-1 on July 9th at Kino Sports Complex. The Zest will be holding open tryouts for the 2017 season on Saturday, February 25th at Alliant University and another on Sunday March 12th with location to be announced. The Zest will begin the 2017 regular season on May 6th by visiting the Southern California Surf and then follow up with a three-game homestand with the first being against last year’s division winner FC Tucson on Saturday, May 13th at Madison High School.
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