San Diego FC vs LA Galaxy Game Review
San Diego FC made a statement in their inaugural MLS match against the defending champions, LA Galaxy. The expansion side couldn’t have faced a tougher first test, taking on the most decorated club in league history. But none of that mattered to Mikey Vara’s squad as they marched into Dignity Health Sports Park and got the job done.
Pre-Match: We arrived at the stadium 45 minutes early to soak in the atmosphere. Given the intense rivalry between San Diego and Los Angeles in other sports—like the Padres and the Dodgers—we expected some tension in the stands. However, the crowd was surprisingly well-behaved. Credit to the Galaxy staff for organizing the traveling San Diego supporters, who were escorted to their section early. From the moment they settled in, they made their presence known, outsinging the home fans with relentless energy.
First Half: The opening 20 minutes saw both teams cautiously feeling each other out. With no prior match history between them, neither side wanted to take unnecessary risks. While both teams had a few half-chances, nothing truly tested either goalkeeper. However, San Diego FC controlled the tempo, looking surprisingly composed for a team without much MLS experience. USMNT’s Luca de la Torre was a standout, covering ground all over the pitch and influencing play in and out of possession. The traveling San Diego fans were giving their team an extra boost, making their presence felt inside Dignity Health Sports Park.
As the first half wound down, a brief lapse in concentration from SDFC captain Jeppe Tverskov led to a foul just outside the 18-yard box, conceded by Aníbal Godoy. With Dortmund legend Marco Reus stepping up to take the free kick, the entire stadium held its breath. Fortunately for SDFC, his effort sailed just over the crossbar, and they went into halftime with the score still level.
Second Half: Just seven minutes after the restart, the Galaxy made the first costly mistake of the match. Goalkeeper Novak Micovic lofted a ball toward his center-back, Carlos Emiro Garcés, who miscontrolled it under pressure. The ball bounced straight to fan favorite Chucky Lozano, who reacted quickly, squaring it in front of goal for fellow Designated Player (DP) Anders Dreyer. Dreyer made no mistake, slotting home the first goal in San Diego FC history. While he initially ran to the left corner to celebrate with Chucky, his teammates urged him toward the away section, where the traveling fans erupted louder than the rest of the stadium combined.
With the breakthrough goal, the game opened up. Galaxy grew bolder in possession, creating better chances, but this also left them vulnerable on the counter. SDFC capitalized, nearly doubling their lead when Dreyer came inches away from scoring his second of the night. In the dying moments, LA pushed all their players forward in search of an equalizer. Instead, San Diego struck again. Tomas Ángel and Anders Dreyer combined on a devastating counterattack, sealing a 2-0 victory in style.
Full Time: As the final whistle blew, the team rushed over to thank their traveling supporters, recognizing their role in making this match feel like a home game. For myself and countless other San Diegans, this moment had been a long time coming. The wait for an MLS team in our city is finally over, and what a way to start the journey. Now, all eyes turn to Snapdragon Stadium on March 1st, when SDFC takes on St. Louis City SC. If tonight was any indication, we’re in for something special.
