The SoccerCity Measure E campaign landed a major endorsement when VAVi Sports and Social Club declared its support for the fully privately funded plan to redevelop the Mission Valley stadium site that the Chargers used to call home.

VAVi is the largest sports organization in town, boasting over 100,000 members on their email list and 50,000 active members who participate in weekly team sports like soccer, softball, kickball, volleyball and many others.

“We’re a sports and social club and Soccer City fits perfectly with what we do,” said Keith Cunningham, V.P. VAVi Sports/Social Club.

There is a natural synergy between VAVi and SoccerCity. The majority of VAVi’s participants are young and active San Diegans who have a hunger and a thirst for a vibrant and beautiful city to call home. Cunningham explained that the link between VAVi and SoccerCity just made too much sense not to work.

The SoccerCity plan includes not just a Major League Soccer expansion team, but also six public fields on site that will be open for recreational use, and a variety of restaurants and bars that current, and more importantly, future generations of San Diego citizenry can enjoy for years to come. In addition to being an organization that runs sporting leagues, VAVi also engages actively in organizing social activities like mixers and pub crawls for members to meet and mingle and create community.

“A couple big things that will benefit our community. They will not cost the taxpayers any money and they have plans to bring an MLS team to San Diego,” said Cunningham. “I went to SDSU, but they have no plan and they have no money to do anything.”

The entirely privately financed SoccerCity project plans to build a river park, create opens spaces, housing and a thriving entertainment district. SoccerCity claims their plan will not cost taxpayers a dime and will transform what is currently a blighted parcel of land to a thriving hub of activity, culture, business and education.

Landon Donovan, arguably the United States Men’s National Team’s greatest ever player is part of the SoccerCity team and is one of those 50,000 active participants. Since moving to San Diego after retiring from Major League Soccer as the all-time highest goal scorer, Donovan has been a regular in the San Diego community and recently suited up on a Wednesday dust off some rust.

When asked if he would suit up for the MLS expansion team in the event Measure E is victorious on Novembers 6th when ballots are cast, Donovan was coy, but declined to entertain the notion.