San Diego Wave FC will celebrate Latino Heritage Night on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Snapdragon Stadium against Kansas City Current. Kickoff is slated at 7 p.m. PT with tickets for the match available here. Latino Heritage Night will feature a variety of activities and entertainment throughout the night: Fiesta Futbolera: Latino Heritage Night festivities will begin at 4 p.m. at the club’s first-ever Fiesta Futbolera which will run through 6:30 p.m. Located on the northeast lawn outside of Snapdragon Stadium, Fiesta Futbolera will feature music, entertainment, drinks and more. Mariachi Internacional San Diego will play at the festival from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fans can see multiple lowrider groups, the Unique Ladies, Disciples Car Club, Dead End Car Club, Genuine Car Club and City Car Club. In addition, the Wave will be hosting face painting and poster making at a spirit station that includes Loteria-style posters. Latin Food Trucks will be lined up with food available for purchase and for those over 21, a Bud Light Backyard, which will feature Estrella Jalisco and a michelada bar. Finally, while at the fiesta, supporters can watch and cheer on San Diego Loyal SC as they face Louisville City FC on the road in the USL Championship, kicking off at 4:30 p.m. Merchandise: La Ola is the club’s new, limited-edition merchandise collection celebrating Latino Heritage Month. Proceeds from the exclusive drop will benefit the Chicano Federation which provides programs across San Diego Country that help children and families access vital and life-changing services. Available online and in-stadium, the collection features a t-shirt and hat. Inspired by Chicano Park in Barrio Logan, the t-shirt is designed to showcase the artwork along the walking path located in the city’s oldest Mexican-American neighborhood. The hat features custom accents, including a woven La Ola patch on the front, a Wave FC patch on the brim and custom inside taping. Chicano Federation: In addition to the Chicano Federation receiving proceeds from the Wave’s La Ola merchandise collection, the Wave will also be hosting children from the Chicano Federation’s summer soccer camp. The Wave and players, including Clairemont native Melanie Barcenas, went to the youth soccer camp to meet the children that will be in attendance, and will provide a high-five tunnel as the players enter the field. In 2022, the Chicano Federation provided 27,000 families with child-centered services, nearly 5.5 million healthy meals and over 1,000 people connected to resources at the new Community Resource Center. Pregame Presentation: DJ Seize will set the atmosphere in-stadium ahead of the match with Latin hits for the night. The Wavemaker of the match will be Christine Chavez, who is a civil rights activist, grassroots community organizer and the granddaughter of the American labor leader, Cesar Chavez. After performing at the Fiesta Futbolera, Mariachi Internacional San Diego will continue their entertainment and perform the night’s national anthem on the pitch. Halftime Performance: Rumba y Soul, a live salsa band based in San Diego, will entertain the crowd during halftime, taking place on the Turf Pad in the north end of the stadium. The band is known to bring musical fusion that brings together the fiery spirit of Latin rhythms and the soulful energy of its talented members. Chula Vista High Schools Ballet Folklórico will be in the same location while performing with traditional folk dances of Mexico. In addition, one lucky fan will have the chance to compete in a 100-foot shot challenge, presented by SDGE.
