Football or soccer is widely played across all the 50 states in America. The beautiful, apart from being a recreational pastime, is also a professional endeavor that has a lot of keen followers. The state of California is home to a bevy of soccer followers due in no small part to the large Latino community in the state. There are many top clubs within California, whether big or small. However, today we will be profiling the top 5 soccer clubs in California
1. LA Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy is the most famous soccer club based in California, and one of the best MLS clubs.
The Los Angeles side was founded in 1994 as a franchise team that competes in the Western Conference of the top-tier American League, the Major League Soccer.
They have been crowned champions of the MLS Cup 5 times and the Supporters’ Shield 4 times.
Many notable soccer players like David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, Javier Hernández, and American soccer legend Landon Donovan have played for LA over the years.
Their home ground is the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. They also play in an all-white jersey.
LA Galaxy has a rivalry with neighboring club San Jose Earthquakes in what is known as the California Clásico. Their rivalry is considered to be one of the most historic sports rivalries in America.
2. San José Earthquakes
The Goonies are an American MLS side based in the city of San Jose. They are undoubtedly one of the best soccer clubs in California.
The franchise was founded on June 15, 1994, and they play out of the Western Conference of the league.
The Earthquakes have the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield twice, respectively, in their history.
They play their home matches at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.
Their home jersey is a blue top on black shorts with blue socks.
3. Sacramento Republic FC
Republic is an American professional soccer side based in the city of Sacramento, California.
The Quails were founded in 2012 and currently compete in the Western Conference of the United States League Championship.
The major silverware won by Sacramento Republic was the USL Championship title in 2014.
They applied for and were granted admission into the MLS starting in 2023, but their expansion to the MLS has been halted for the time being.
Their home ground is in the Heart Health Park in Sacramento, and they play in a dark red jersey.
Republic FC has a significant number of fans, especially from a large region of Northern California.
4. Orange County SC
Orange County was founded in 1998, and they play their games at the 2500-capacity Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, California.
They currently compete in the Western Conference of the USL Championship. In 2021, Orange County SC won the USL Championship Western Conference playoffs and went on to win the USL Championship that same year.
They wear an orange top over black shorts with orange socks.
5. Albion San Diego
Albion is an American soccer side based in San Diego, California. Yes, they are one of the many soccer clubs with Albion in their name.
The 41-year-old club plays in the American 3rd-tier National Independent Soccer Association.
Their home ground is the 2400-capacity Canyon Crest Stadium in San Diego, California. Their chairman is former Senegalese international Demba Ba, who owns the club alongside Belgian footballer Eden Hazard.
