Former Torero Miguel Berry joins San Diego Loyal SC

The Poway native returns to San Diego for remainder of 2020 season, on loan from MLS’s Columbus Crew

Eric Boose / Sports Editor / The USD Vista

Former University of San Diego soccer star Miguel Berry made his professional soccer debut for San Diego Loyal SC in their 0-0 draw against Orange County SC on Saturday. Berry signed for San Diego earlier last week, on loan from Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew. The loan deal means Berry will play for Loyal SC for the remainder of the 2020 season, as well as the playoffs, if San Diego qualifies.

Berry was drafted seventh overall in the 2020 MLS draft in January, but did not appear in any of Columbus’ eight competitive matches this COVID-interrupted season. Berry was named the starting center forward and played 70 minutes for San Diego Loyal on Saturday. In a game with few clear-cut scoring chances, Berry had one of the best, finding himself one-on-one against the Orange County goalkeeper midway through the second half. Unfortunately, the former USD striker took a heavy touch, allowing OCSC’s keeper to grab the ball, snuffing out the scoring chance. 

It was a situation Berry has been in before. In four years at USD, he tallied 38 goals and 16 assists in 72 games. Seventeen of those goals (and eight assists) came in 2019, Berry’s senior season, when he was named West Coast Conference co-player of the year. 

Berry’s performance as a Torero earned him high praise from San Diego Loyal head coach and U.S. Soccer legend Landon Donovan.

“I had the opportunity to watch Miguel play in person last year at USD and it was evident that he was ready to play at the next level,” Donovan said in the announcement of Berry’s signing. “He has all the tools to be a top-level striker in this country and we are fortunate to have another San Diegan join us as we push towards the playoffs.”

Berry, born in Barcelona, Spain, but raised in Poway, Calif., expressed his excitement to return to the city he calls home.

“To play at Torero Stadium, my home for 4 years, again is a dream come true,” Berry said. “I’m extremely excited to be able to contribute to what the organization is building here in San Diego and I’m looking forward to being able to give back to this great city.”

Berry joins a San Diego team desperate for goals, having scored only once in their last five games, a stretch in which the team has managed two draws and three defeats. Loyal SC, which began life as a professional team this year, currently sits in fourth place in Group B in the USL Championship, the second tier of American professional soccer, below MLS. The team has six games remaining in its season, and must finish as one of the top two teams in its group to qualify for the playoffs.