CARSON, Calif. \u2013 History made.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Six hundred and forty-seven days since their expansion announcement, San Diego FC<\/a> got off to a perfect start in their MLS debut by defeating defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy<\/a>, 2-0, at Dignity Health Sports Park courtesy of an Anders Dreyer<\/a> brace.<\/p>\n \u201cWe said from the beginning that we\u2019re here to win,\u201d head coach Mikey Varas said after the club’s debut on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire.<\/p>\n \u201cThe tone was set from day one. This is just a step in the direction of where we want to go. We want to have a winning mentality in this club. We want to do things at the highest level.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n From the opening whistle, San Diego imposed their style of play on the Galaxy, unencumbered by being the new kids on the block.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most important thing is that the boys showed conviction for what we\u2019ve been working on all preseason. They showed the quality that they have,\u201d Varas said. \u201cI think they did a fantastic thing today. It\u2019s not easy what they did. They made the football come to life on the field. I\u2019m so proud of the conviction that they showed.\u201d<\/p>\n That conviction led to Dreyer netting a second-half brace on his MLS debut. Fellow DP winger Hirving \u201cChucky\u201d<\/a> Lozano helped break the deadlock with his assist in the 52nd minute before substitute Tom\u00e1s \u00c1ngel<\/a> fed the Danish international to ice the game in the 93rd minute.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, it\u2019s special to make the first goal for this club,\u201d Dreyer said. \u201cWe just want to keep going and enjoy every day we are at the training facilities. It\u2019s so nice to show the people in the US what we\u2019re capable of and the way we want to play.\u201d<\/p>\n That style of play earned an invaluable first victory, taking the ideal first steps as MLS team No. 30 forms an identity.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is very important,\u201d Lozano said of winning the first match. \u201cI think it\u2019s a very important step for the club and for the guys. We all trained really hard all month and you can see the result on the field that the guys gave it their all. We showed up today.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n ????\ufe0f FOR SAN DIEGO! @sandiegofc<\/a> opens their inaugural season with a win! pic.twitter.com\/fLD9tUY2an<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Winning your first game as an expansion team is one thing, but to do it at the reigning MLS Cup champions? That’s a whole different level of impressive.<\/p>\n \u201cThey had a little party before the game and we spoke about, \u2018Let\u2019s kill that party,\u2019\u201d Dreyer said. \u201cI think we did that quite well.\u201d<\/p>\n The Galaxy didn’t lose a single match at DHSP last season en route to winning MLS Cup, but San Diego snapped that streak to begin the 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cThe team performance was special and the kind that we stick to how we wanted to play the whole game. We were brave,\u201d captain Jeppe Tverskov<\/a> said. \u201cWe played against the champions, but still tried to play out the way we want to play and the way we want to impact the games. It\u2019s the perfect situation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Another first awaits SDFC when they host St. Louis CITY SC<\/a> in their home opener next Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium (10:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think it will be difficult for us to be motivated for that,\u201d Tverskov said. \u201cWe feel the hype for the city the last couple of weeks. I would imagine after tonight it hasn\u2019t slowed down.\u201d<\/p>\n Against St. Louis, the main focus will be sticking to the principles that fueled success in Los Angeles. Varas wants to ensure San Diego’s style does not waver, regardless of the scenario.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we showed that when we\u2019re on point, we\u2019ll be a very dangerous team. It\u2019s a type of football that can make you very competitive, so we have to believe in it,\u201d Varas told reporter Andrew Wiebe post-game on MLS Season Pass.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the good and the bad, we have to believe in it because it won\u2019t always go our way. But we\u2019ve got to stick with it, we\u2019ve got to have convictions and we\u2019ve got to keep working.\u201d<\/p>\n As San Diego head home for the first time, the fans will be a crucial piece to the puzzle.<\/p>\n \u201cThe support from the fans was fantastic and thankfully we won. Now they get to go home happy and a very special memory for them,\u201d Lozano said. \u201cI think they were all excited getting here and they showed up and really supported us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\nA dream start<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Beating the champs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Home opener on the horizon<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n