CARSON, Calif. — Anders Dreyer scored two goals, leading San Diego FC to a stunning 2-0 victory over the defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy on Sunday, marking the expansion team's impressive debut.
The match, played at Dignity Health Sports Park, was much anticipated. A crowd of 25,224 fans witnessed not only the opening game of the season but also the Galaxy's ceremony to honor their sixth league title, with their championship banner raised high.
Despite the Galaxy's celebrations, the evening took a disappointing turn as San Diego FC showcased their potential right from the start. For the Galaxy, this was the first loss at home since October 2023 when they fell to the same fate against another opponent.
Galaxy coach Greg Vanney reflected on the challenges his team faced during the match, noting, "I thought most of the night (we were) a little disconnected... we weren’t very dynamic in the front half of the field." These sentiments highlighted the struggle the Galaxy faced when it came to executing their gameplay plan.
After the halftime break, both teams emerged aiming for victory. It was San Diego who struck first, taking advantage of some defensive miscommunication from the Galaxy. A misplaced pass from Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Mićović led to the first goal of the match. Defender Emiro Garces mishandled the ensuing play, resulting in San Diego's Hirving Lozano seizing the opportunity and setting up Dreyer.
"It’s a tough ball to handle," Vanney remarked on the incident, which allowed Dreyer to score with a precise left-footed shot, marking the first goal in San Diego FC’s history.
Although Mićović made some impressive saves to keep the Galaxy within one goal, the home side struggled to transition their defense to attack effectively. Late-game substitutions aimed at increasing pressure on the San Diego defense were unable to turn the tide, as the Galaxy's attacking efforts fell short.
With the match nearing its end, San Diego FC sealed their victory on the counter-attack. Dreyer showcased his skills once more, finishing the night with his second goal just as signs of desperation began to show among the Galaxy players. This goal came after Tomás Ángel drove down the field and returned the pass to Dreyer, who made no mistake with his effort.
Maya Yoshida, Galaxy’s defender and captain, conceded, "There’s no excuse... we should have done much, much more, and today’s totally lost." His acknowledgement of the team's shortcomings reflected the challenge they face moving forward without some key players from their championship roster, which included Riqui Puig and Joseph Paintsil, both sidelined due to injuries.
This match not only marked the debut of San Diego FC, but it also introduced the beginning of what could become intense intra-state rivalries. MLS Commissioner Don Garber spoke about the significance of these matchups, noting, "Rivalries are what make MLS so exciting. One of the reasons why we wanted a team in San Diego is the passion of its fans and the potential for natural rivalries."
Looking forward, San Diego FC prepares for their first home game against St. Louis City SC next Saturday, aiming to continue their momentum after this remarkable victory. For the Galaxy, this loss serves as both a wake-up call and incentive to improve as they attempt to recapture the dynamic form they displayed last season.