The ups and downs of San Diego Loyal SC’s second season in the USL Championship showed the side capable of competing with the best clubs in the Western Conference – see victories against Phoenix Rising FC and Orange County SC – while also capable of coming up short against sides that it should have been expected to take victory against – see the side’s loss to Real Monarchs SLC and three defeats to Tacoma Defiance out of four meetings. That inconsistency ended up costing SD Loyal a second-place finish in the Pacific Division and resulted in an early playoff exit on the road to San Antonio FC.

The conundrum for Head Coach Landon Donovan this offseason was that by the numbers, SD Loyal’s attack outperformed its Expected Goals output, but only saw Tumi Moshobane reach double-digit goals. Loanees Augustine Williams, Douglas Martinez and Miguel Berry contributed during their time at the club, but the team’s main attacking options in Corey Hertzog and playmaker Alejandro Guido never quite caught fire. The hope for San Diego this season is veteran English forward Kyle Vassell – most recently at EFL League One side Cheltenham Town and handed the No.9 jersey – can provide that consistency while the side also looks for increased output from Guido and a positive impact from newcomer Evan Conway, who arrives having claimed the USL League One title last season after recording 13 goals in the regular season and playoffs.

SD Loyal will also be looking to try and tighten up a little defensively, too, with New Zealand international Nikko Boxall and fellow Kiwi Kyle Adams among the new arrivals that will try to make up for the departure of Championship All-League Second Team selection Josh Yaro. In goal, Austin Guerrero returns, but Spanish goalkeeper Vegas Koke may be the No. 1 choice following his experience in the top two tiers in his home country. All in all, there’s promise here once again, but if the side can’t match the consistency of the teams that deliver game-in and game-out, SD Loyal will be a playoff contender, but maybe not more.

Koke Vegas – Spanish goalkeeper arrives with prior playing time in La Liga, Copa Del Rey during career

Kyle Vassell – Former Northern Ireland international will be looked to for scoring punch in final third

Nick Moon – Former Indy Eleven man brings speed, eye for goal to SD Loyal’s flanks

Evan Conway – League One title-winner at Union Omaha gets chance to prove himself in Championship

Josh Yaro – 2021 All-League selection signed with MLS expansion side St. Louis CITY SC

Miguel Ibarra – Veteran winger moved to indoor game with Tacoma Stars

Sal Zizzo – San Diego native announced retirement after playing club’s first two seasons

Chase Boone – Young forward made move to NorCal with expansion Monterey Bay F.C.