Professional men’s and women’s soccer coming to Riverside through USL expansion, plus Games of the Week: water polo all weekend and the city’s top matchup.
Great Blue Heron watching sun set over Gardner Pond. (Chris Gardner) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Thursday Gazette: September 25, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Thursday! Looking for something to do tonight? Grab the family, plan a date, hang out with friends, or enjoy a solo night out at Pierce Street Jazz. Free live jazz at La Sierra University’s Alumni Center starts at 7 p.m., plus you can explore the hidden gem Brandstater Gallery.
Professional Men’s and Women’s Soccer Coming to Riverside Through USL Expansion
United Soccer League partners with local entrepreneur Greg Scott for stadium and mixed-use development.
The proposed 5,000-seat soccer stadium would be expandable to 15,000 seats and designed for multiple sports and concerts. (Courtesy GCS Development/LaBella Associates)
Riverside is set to join the United Soccer League (USL) with both men's and women's teams, marking the city's first major professional sports franchise.
Driving the news: The USL has partnered with Riverside Pro Soccer to establish teams in its championship divisions, with plans for a soccer-specific stadium and mixed-use development.
Local entrepreneur Greg Scott leads the effort, following the City Council's approval of exclusive negotiations for his $200 million sports complex.
Why it matters: The Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area, with 4.6 million residents, is one of the largest U.S. markets without professional soccer.
The region boasts a strong youth soccer tradition and a Hispanic and Latino population exceeding 50%.
The big picture: The project aims to unite the community through soccer, create a pathway for local players to turn pro, and deliver a top-notch game day experience.
Riverside Pro Soccer plans an "extensive listening campaign" for community input on team branding and identity.
What's next: A community meeting about the Riverside Sports Complex Entertainment District is scheduled for October 18 at 10 a.m.
The timeline for USL play remains unclear, with league expansion typically requiring 30-36 months from announcement to inaugural season.
Water Polo action all weekend and the best sporting event in town.
Jonathan Vivanco. (Courtesy of CBU Athletics)
This weekend brings a packed slate of local sports action, headlined by Friday night's highly anticipated CBU Lancers vs UC Riverside soccer showdown at 7 p.m. - a crosstown rivalry that's only going to intensify as both schools compete in the Big West Conference. The Joust water polo tournament splashes into action Friday morning at 10 a.m., while CSDR honors their seniors Friday night against United Christian Academy. Saturday continues with more water polo matches, and Monday features a marquee girls flag football matchup between La Sierra (11-5) and powerhouse Patriot (11-1). Don't miss these exciting competitions happening right here in our community!
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An earlier version of "Housing Committee Discusses Mobile Home Rent Control Despite Council's Recent 2.8% Cap Approval" incorrectly identified Councilmember Chuck Condor as Vice Chair of the Housing and Homeless Committee. Councilmember Sean Mill is the Vice Chair.
Chamber honors young entrepreneur’s lemonade stand and the Housing Committee revisits mobile home rent control despite Council’s recent 2.8% cap approval.
City planners question local impact of transit housing mandates, Riverside offers micro luxury escapes and the city debuts AI assistant Rivy on its website.
No City Council meeting this week; other agendas include $1.44M for Wilderness Substation upgrades and affordable housing updates. Plus, the Museum of Riverside explores how repatriation and museums can collaborate.
