CARSON, Calif. — Anders Dreyer and the newly established San Diego FC made a remarkable entrance into Major League Soccer with an impressive performance against the reigning champions, LA Galaxy. The expansion team celebrated their inaugural match with a 2-0 victory on Sunday, showcasing their potential right from the start.
Dreyer, a 26-year-old midfielder from Denmark, contributed significantly to the triumph, scoring both goals in the match. Reflecting on the debut, he expressed contentment about providing the club with a victorious beginning, stating, “It’s nice to give the club a nice start. We want more. We’re off tomorrow and looking forward to Saturday.”
The designated players for San Diego played pivotal roles in this matchup. Dreyer, acquired from the prestigious Belgian club Anderlecht, found the back of the net in the 52nd and 93rd minutes. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, a major signing for San Diego last June, assisted the first goal. Lozano, a veteran of the Mexican national team in two World Cups, had joined San Diego after a stint with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
San Diego FC joins the ranks of Major League Soccer as the 10th team to join since 2017 and is only the third expansion team ever to win their debut match, alongside Los Angeles FC in 2018 and St. Louis City in 2023.
Lozano spoke highly of the challenge of facing the Galaxy, saying, “I think it’s nice playing against the champions. That was a tough game to play because Galaxy has good players.” He emphasized their preparation for this match and the strategies they had refined. The first goal emerged from a defensive error by Galaxy’s Emiro Garcés, whose slip allowed Lozano to seize the loose ball and set up Dreyer for a decisive left-footed shot that found the net.
With time running out, Dreyer sealed the victory with another left-footed strike following a pass from Tomás Ángel, solidifying San Diego’s win. Goalkeeper CJ dos Santos played a crucial role in the game, making three saves to maintain a clean sheet.
The team’s coach, Mikey Varas, remarked on their ambition, indicating that from the outset, the goal was to win. “This is just a step in the direction of where we want to go. Tonight is about celebrating, tomorrow is about resting, and then Tuesday we get to work to continue our progress,” he said.
For the Galaxy, Miguel Berry had the best chance to score but was denied by dos Santos in a critical moment late in the match. This loss marked a disappointing result for the Galaxy, who suffered their first defeat at Dignity Health Park since the 2023 season finale. The six-time MLS Cup winners were without key players Joseph Paintsil (quad) and Riqui Puig (knee), with Puig’s return not anticipated until early summer. Keeper Novak Micovic recorded four saves in the match.
Galaxy’s coach, Greg Vanney, noted the disjointed performance of his team, saying it didn’t resemble a championship squad. He highlighted the need for cohesiveness as they looked to build upon their existing dynamics.
Looking ahead, San Diego will host their first home game on Saturday against St. Louis. MLS Commissioner Don Garber praised the attendance at the match, commending San Diego supporters who traveled to the game, filling several sections in the upper deck. “Getting San Diego into the league has been a long-term goal and objective,” Garber stated, acknowledging the significant milestones that led to this moment. “Our league must continually remind ourselves we are new, and it’s better to get it right than to rush it, ensuring everything clicks perfectly.”
