Fast forward twelve months, and the whole thing has gone dark. No construction crews. No timeline updates. No accountability.

Here's what makes this particularly galling: San Francisco already had homegrown soccer organizations doing real community work. As one SF resident put it, "San Francisco already has two teams playing in USL League Two — San Francisco City FC and SF Glens. These are honest community organizations who invest in the city through youth outreach and community engagement." According to locals, SF City FC had actually reached an agreement to use Kezar more regularly before the mayor turned his back on them in favor of handing the deal to a corporate newcomer.

So let's get this straight. The city sidelined a proven community partner for a flashy corporate promise — and got nothing in return. This is the San Francisco special: government officials dazzled by big numbers and press conferences, ignoring the people who actually show up and do the work.

And there's a practical angle here too. Kezar's track is a vital public resource. One local runner noted that the track "shouldn't be closed for six months a year" since it's "a vital community asset that makes things safer for runners." Locking up a public facility for a private entity that can't even follow through on its commitments? That's not partnership — that's a raw deal for taxpayers.

The questions City Hall needs to answer are simple: Where's the $10 million? What are the contractual obligations Golden City FC agreed to? And what penalties exist if they just... walk away?

Because right now it looks like San Francisco traded a functioning community relationship for a corporate handshake and a pile of broken promises. Again. The least our elected officials can do is explain why — and what they plan to do about it.