San Francisco has been the birthplace of many influential countercultures, from the Beat Generation to the LGBTQ+ rights movement, creating a unique spirit of resistance and community. This essence of self-expression is mirrored in the identity of San Francisco City FC, the oldest community-owned soccer club in the United States.
Since its inception in 2002, SF City has cultivated a dedicated follower base, now competing in USL League Two, America’s semiprofessional fourth tier, just below MLS and other professional leagues.
For a decade, this vibrant club has called the historic Kezar Stadium home, nestled in the southeast corner of Golden Gate Park. The stadium has a rich history, previously hosting the San Francisco 49ers and legendary musical performances by local icons like Janis Joplin and The Grateful Dead.
Recently, however, the future of SF City FC has been brought into question following an announcement made by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie on May 9, 2025. The mayor enthusiastically revealed via Instagram that a new soccer team, Golden City FC (GCFC), would soon be calling Kezar Stadium its home.
Although the announcement came as a surprise to SF City management, GCFC had been in discussions with city authorities for approximately 18 months preceding the public reveal, which many local fans perceived as a done deal.
The deal allows GCFC priority access to Kezar Stadium’s scheduling, effectively limiting SF City to just one guaranteed home game each season, raising the prospect of displacing a club that has invested heavily in the community.
Ian Blackley, an SF City board member, expressed the club’s dismay, noting that GCFC appears to be leveraging financial resources to shortcut the path SF City has navigated to establish itself within the community. “It was a shortcut to the hard work we’re doing and building this community,” he stated.
The sentiment is echoed by Tyler Hinman, another board member, who lamented, “We lose some of that romance here, that underdog story. There’s a ceiling because of the money aspect.”
GCFC’s entry into the local soccer landscape creates potential confusion, particularly given that they share a similar name and color scheme with SF City. This similarity could lead less knowledgeable soccer fans to mistakenly support the wrong team at matches held at Kezar Stadium.
GCFC is reportedly co-founded by finance executives and local soccer parents Geoff Oltmans and Marc Rohrer, who have deep financial connections in the community. Oltmans has a history of significant donations to a nonprofit founded by Lurie, potentially influencing the mayor’s enthusiasm for the new club.
Doubts have emerged about the initial intentions of GCFC and the ramifications for SF City FC. As SF City’s management emphasizes their commitment to grassroots community-driven soccer, Oltmans’s previous contributions and deep ties with the current mayor raise questions about the true motivations behind GCFC’s formation.
The narrative of corporate takeover extends beyond mere sports; it reflects broader issues of gentrification within the city. Many local supporters fear that the arrival of a franchise backed by significant financial support could dilute the fan base and undermine the community-oriented spirit that SF City FC embodies.
“We are 51% supporter-owned. That’s not going to happen. It belongs to the people,” said Hinman, expressing confidence that SF City will always remain connected to its roots.
Among SF City’s passionate supporters is Pete Bogdis, a board member and founder of the Northsiders, the club’s first supporter group. Bogdis recalls the formation of the Northsiders as a way for fans to genuinely engage with the team and avoid the commercialization that often distorts football culture in the U.S.
The Northsiders have played a pivotal role in creating a supportive atmosphere at games, encouraging a deeper connection between fans and the club.
Recognizing the need for future generations to continue the support, the club has also seen the emergence of younger groups like the Kezar Union.
This fresh grassroots initiative, driven by young supporters, aims to capture the vibrant and inclusive spirit that SF City FC epitomizes.
Isaiah, one of the founders of the Kezar Union, described their first match experience as thrilling, despite the game ending in a narrow defeat. Inspired by the Northsiders’ exuberance, they were motivated to engage more deeply with the club.
As they work to develop a louder and more vibrant atmosphere at games, the Kezar Union is committed to promoting inclusivity, hoping to attract and welcome more fans, including families and new community members.
At the same time, a new fan group known as the Fault Line Offenders (F.L.O.) has emerged, showcasing a unique blend of punk and football cultures. The F.L.O., consisting of friends from various backgrounds, aims to build a passionate and dedicated support system for SF City FC.
The diverse backgrounds of supporters speak to the beauty of community that SF City has cultivated; it remains a local team where someone new can feel at home.
On June 25, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to grant GCFC a 15-year permit to use Kezar Stadium, with potential extensions available, marking a significant shift in the competitive landscape for local soccer.
Critics of Georgetown, including E from F.L.O., perceive GCFC as a profit-driven initiative that fails to respect the local culture and genuine community bonds forged through SF City FC.
E articulated a strong perspective on market forces at play, connecting GCFC’s arrival to larger issues of gentrification within the city, suggesting that their motives stem from a desire to harness the city’s cultural richness without genuine commitment to the community.
“It will split the crowd, and it will do more damage than good,” he stated, reflecting broader concerns about the loss of the unique identity and spirit of football in San Francisco.
Despite the uncertainty presented by GCFC’s arrival, the local sentiment surrounding SF City FC remains resilient. Continually nurturing a sense of belonging and communal pride, SF City has shown a unique ability to transcend the competitive nature of sports.
The club’s supporters—old and new—remain loyal, embodying the essence and character of San Francisco, proving their commitment to ensuring that football will always be for the people.
As SF City FC members and supporters navigate these challenges, they possess hope and determination, embodied within the phrase that sums up the spirit of grassroots football.
Kezar Stadium, they believe, will remain a sanctuary for authentic community-based soccer. It is more than just a sports venue; it symbolizes a place where the city’s essence endures and thrives amid rising corporate interests.
Through these trials, the heart of SF City FC continues to beat loudly and proudly in the city’s vibrant landscape, embodying the true spirit of San Francisco soccer.
image source from：goal
