Snapdragon Stadium to host Manchester United, Gold Cup semi

Snapdragon Stadium continues to establish itself as a premier international soccer venue, with plans to host a semifinal of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on July 12 and Manchester United in a preseason exhibition two weeks later.

The Gold Cup officially announced SoFi Stadium in Inglewood last fall as site for the July 16 final of the biennial championship for men's national teams in the CONCACAF region, which encompasses North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Multiple sources told the Union-Tribune that one of the semis four days earlier will be at Snapdragon, although we’ll probably have to wait until the April 14 draw to learn whether it will be the U.S. or Mexico side of the bracket.

Man United's visit is part of its return to North America for a preseason tour after a five-year absence. It is the eighth time in the last two decades that the storied British club has come to the States for preseason, although not all have been on the West Coast. Last summer it went to Thailand and Australia.

The opponent for the late July match (Wednesday, July 26, is the most likely date): Wrexham FC of Wales.

Considered the third oldest pro soccer club in the world, Wrexham plays in the Britain's fifth division but carries outsized popularity after Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought it two years ago and agreed to film a docuseries chronicling their ownership. Wrexham reached the fourth round of the F.A. Cup this year before being knocked out by Sheffield United and trying to gain promotion to League Two, the fourth division.

Given Wrexham's lower level, it is unclear whether Man United will play its stars in the Snapdragon game or a B team of youngsters. The matchup was reported by several media outlets Saturday, and an official announcement with details about ticket availability is expected in the coming weeks.

It won't be the first men's pro soccer game at Snapdragon. That distinction belongs to the Tijuana Xolos and Club America of Mexico's Liga MX, scheduling a 2 p.m. exhibition thereon March 26 with tickets priced between $40 and $120.

The San Diego Wave of the National Women's Soccer League played a few games there last year and will call Snapdragon home for the 2023 season that begins March 25.

The Gold Cup has been held in San Diego several times, at Qualcomm Stadium before it was demolished to make way for 35,000-capacity Snapdragon. This edition of the tournament will include 15 CONCACAF national teams plus guest entrant Qatar. Group play is from June 24 through July 4, followed by single-elimination quarterfinals on July 8 and 9.

The United States and Mexico have met in the final seven of the 16 Golf Cups but never in the semis since the inaugural tournament in 1991. And don't expect it to happen in the 17th edition. That's because organizers purposely arrange the groups instead of conducting a blind draw that could result in the region's two giants playing before the final.