The Los Angeles Chargers are slated to return from whence they came, San Diego — albeit for a limited time only in the offseason.

Los Angeles revealed on its team website that the club will suit up for mandatory minicamp at San Diego’s Camp Pendleton, a Marine Corps Base. From 12:15-2 p.m. on June 11, fans stationed at the base will be able to meet attendant Bolts players (which will be all of them, given that it’s a mandatory event).

The Bolts actually kicked off their NFL career in Los Angeles, circa 1960, but ventured south in 1961. They returned to L.A. in 2017 following a dispute with owner Dean Spanos and the city of San Diego.

After the Chargers finished 5-12 in 2023, Spanos cleaned house. Well, in fairness, he actually cleaned house even before that, ditching longtime general manager Tom Telesco and less-longtime head coach Brandon Staley late into the club’s regular season. Spanos made the offseason’s splashiest head coaching hire when he brought aboard Jim Harbaugh (who himself was once a San Diego Chargers quarterback, from 1999-2000), fresh off winning the CFP national championship for the Michigan Wolverines this past NCAA season. He also brought aboard Joe Hortiz — formerly a director of player personnel for the Baltimore Ravens, coached by Jim Harbaugh’s brother John — as the team’s new general manager.

The club is looking to return to the postseason for only the second time in Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert’s young career, and offseason training is critical to ensuring that happens.

More Chargers: Austin Ekeler’s Commanders Move Motivated by Los Angeles Connection

The Los Angeles Chargers are returning to San Diego… sort of. Camp Pendleton, a Marine Corps Base, announced that the Chargers will be holding mandatory minicamp at the military base, with fans stationed at the base invited to meet and greet players on the 11th. The site lists 12:15 PM to 2:00 PM as the event time, presumably covering both practice time and meet-and-greet afterwards and will be held at 11 Area Football Field.

The practice is exclusively for those on base, so fans who are not base patrons will not be able to attend.

The Chargers have a long history of working with and honoring the military given San Diego’s large military population. San Diego hosts several military bases in addition to Camp Pendleton. That includes Naval Base San Diego, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, which is used by both the Navy and Marine Crops for pilot training, a Marine Corps recruit depot, Naval Base Coronado, Naval Base Point Loma and a US Coast Guard Station.

Harbaugh has ties to San Diego as well, having played quarterback for the franchise for two years as well as serving as the head coach of the University of San Diego from 2004 to 2006.

While not open to all fans, it should be a fun experience for those able to attend. And it may signal future events in the area to keep the fanbase engaged.

Makenzy Doniak scored in the 62nd minute to pull the San Diego Wave into a 1-1 draw with Orlando on Friday night and snap the Pride’s record eight-game winning streak in NWSL.

Julie Doyle scored in the first half for the Pride, who remained unbeaten to start the season. Barbra Banda crossed the ball to Doyle, who scored her second goal of the year in the 36th minute.

“It came off a defensive corner kick so that was amazing. I think it started with Ally [Watt] winning a tackle right around our 18 [-yard box] and Bri [Martinez] had the heart and desire to sprint and beat the other player to the ball.

“She played Barbra down the line. Barbra drew two players and I was just thinking, ‘Get in the width of the goal, she’s going to play me the ball hopefully.’ And she did and it was perfect and I just knew I had to get my foot on it and it went in.”

Pride find missing piece with signing of Zambian scoring machine via record transfer fee

The Pride (8-0-4) have scored in a club record 16 straight games dating to last season.

“The players were coming off the field disappointed because they put themselves in a position to win the game,” Orlando coach Seb Hines said. “Unfortunate not to see it out or get that second goal. But every game has its challenges. When you sit at the top of the table, it’s always tough because teams try a little bit harder to try and knock you off that position.”

Dani Colaprico had a good opportunity for the Wave (3-4-4) in first-half stoppage time but her attempt went over the crossbar. Doniak broke through on a shot that deflected off a Pride player and into the goal, eliciting a roar from the fans at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.

“As a forward I always want to be hungry around the goal. It’s just a good performance overall and individually, I’m glad I got that, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Doniak said.

How Orlando has gone from college football capital to international soccer destination | Commentary

Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan had a save in the first half that gave her 500 for her career, becoming just the third NWSL goalkeeper to reach that mark.

Marta came in as a substitute for Orlando in the second half for her 100th NWSL appearance.

Both teams had multiple players returning from national team duty, including San Diego’s Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw and Naomi Girma, who were called up by new U.S. coach Emma Hayes for a pair of games against South Korea. All three started against the Pride.

Up next

Pride at Courage

When: June 15 at WakeMed Soccer Park, 7:30

TV: Bally Sports Florida