San Diego FC Stuns LA Galaxy in MLS Debut Win

New MLS expansion club San Diego FC etched its name in league history by recording their first-ever win against defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy in the season opener last night.

At Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, San Diego midfielder Anders Dreyer scored a second-half brace in what became a dream start for the new club.

The first goal came in the 52nd minute after a calamity at the back. Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Micovic played a heavy pass to defender Carlos Garces, who misplayed the ball and allowed winger Hirving “Chucky” Lozano to square a pass to Dreyer, easily finishing into the net. Dreyer made it 2-0 in stoppage time after strong interplay between him and Tomas Angel sent the traveling 1,000 San Diego supporters into a frenzy.

The win over their Southern California rivals would have been extra special considering that LA Galaxy went undefeated at home in all of 2024 en route to their championship win last season. However, the Galaxy were missing notable players who helped fire them to that championship. Midfielder Riqui Puig is out for a torn ACL sustained in the 2024 Western Conference Final and is expected to miss a large portion of 2025. Winger Joseph Paintsil and defender Mauricio Cuevas also missed the game with injuries.

San Diego FC will play against St. Louis on Saturday in their first home game. The good vibes around the club are further buoyed by the fact that San Diego General Manager Tyler Heaps told The Mirror US that fans can expect more big names to arrive, with Kevin de Bruyne heavily rumored to join the team:

“The roster probably still isn’t completely finished,” he said. “And I think there’ll still be some potential to have opportunities in the summer with that being a major transfer window. But we’re here to compete from day one.”