Training has obviously gone well for San Diego FC’s new entry in Major League Soccer at its Sharp HealthCare Performance Center on tribal land of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation in El Cajon as evidenced by the team’s undefeated start in its opening three matches.
San Diego FC shocked the defending MLS Cup champion L.A. Galaxy, 2-0, in its MLS debut on Feb. 23 and followed that with a scoreless draw in front of a record crowd of 34,506 fans in its home field debut March 1 at Snapdragon Stadium.
The parade of franchise milestones continued with last Saturday’s 3-1 win at Real Salt Lake and a starting record of two wins and one tie in the Western Conference standings — good for second place behind the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3-0-0) in the 15-team table.
In the beginning
San Diego FC is the newest expansion team in MLS, which is now 30 teams strong and continuing to build on its footprint originally established from its inaugural 1996 season. MLS comprises 27 teams in the United States and three in Canada and constitutes the highest level of play in North America.
MLS was founded in 1993 as part of the United States’ successful bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
The league — and the sport — has come a long way since then, though expansion into the San Diego market took an excessively long time while the re¬gion supported lower tier minor league and amateur teams.
But the long wait may be worth it.
Following the club name and crest reveal, construction on the club’s 125,000 square-foot campus and Right to Dream academy, initial player signings, and staff announcements (sporting director Tyler Heaps and head coach Mikey Varas), it was time to finally unveil a tangible on-field product.
San Diego FC opened preseason play with closed door matches against USL clubs Phoenix Rising (Jan. 25) and Sacramento Republic (Feb. 1) before competing in the 2025 Coachella Valley Invitational Feb. 8-15 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
The Coachella Valley Invitational is a preseason event for MLS and National Women’s Soccer League clubs that features preseason matches and training. Fourteen MLS clubs participated in this year’s event, including San Diego FC.
It is the largest professional preseason exhibition tournament in North America.
Competing MLS teams included Austin FC, Charlotte FC, Chicago Fire FC, LA Galaxy, LAFC, Minnesota United FC, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Diego FC, San Jose Earthquakes, St. Louis City SC and Sporting Kansas City.
San Diego FC kicked off play in the preseason tournament with a 3-1 loss to New York City FC on Feb. 8. Former Manchester United player Paddy McNair scored the lone San Diego goal on a point-blank head shot off a nifty pass from Chucky Lozano.
The San Diego team drew blanks in an ensuing 3-0 loss to the Portland Timbers on Feb. 12 and it appeared the newest MLS side might be experiencing a prolonged stint of growing pains.
But that train of thought quickly evaporated on Feb. 15 with a 6-0 thrashing of the New York Red Bulls, finalist in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs.
The season kicked off the next week against the six-time MLS Cup champion Galaxy.
About 1,000 San Diego FC supporters make the trek to Dignity Health Sports Park in Car¬son to watch their team’s MLS debut and, following a rather uneventful first half, had a chance to out-cheer the home team.
Dane Anders Dreyer scored the opening two goals in San Diego FC history, tallying the history-making first goal in the 52nd minute off a timely pass from Lozano and tacking on an insurance goal three minutes into injury time.
The visitors compiled a 9-7 advantage in shots and 87 percent pass accuracy to go with 52 percent of possession, 14 fouls and two yellow cards.
It was not a timid debut.
The long-anticipated home debut attracted the largest crowd in history to watch a sporting event at Snapdragon Stadium. Fans came decked out in San Diego FC apparel, chanted and even sang during the emotionally-charged event.
While the match against St. Louis City SC finished scoreless, there was no doubt who the winning team was as San Diego FC remained unbeaten in its second consecutive trip to the pitch.
The hosts dominated with a 15-2 advantage in shots, 72 percent possession ratio, 89 percent pass accuracy, 14 fouls and nine cornerkicks. San Diego FC did just about everything except bulge twine.
San Diego FC continued to raise eyebrows with last Saturday’s win in Utah. The home side scored first, Ariath Pinol in the 17th minute, but the visitors did not collapse. Argentine Franco Negri scored the equalizer in the 43rd minute for San Diego FC, assisted by Tomas Angel, who had the assist on the second goal scored in the season opener.
With the score knotted at a goal apiece and time running down, there was certainly drama in the making.
The Southern California visitors capitalized on it with two goals in injury time. Dreyer scored his third goal in three matches to become just the second player on an expansion team to do so in MLS history.
Fellow Dane Marcus Ingvartsen closed out scoring with a goal in the sixth minute of injury time, assisted by Omni Valakari and Anibal Godoy.
The visitors totaled a 16-14 shot advantage (8-6 in shots on goal) in front of 19,337 fans at America First Field. San Diego FC compiled an 88.7 pass accuracy, made nine crosses and received five goalkeeper saves from C.J. dos Santos (player of the match) in securing its second road victory in club history.
With three goals, Dreyer is tied for second in MLS season scoring.
“It was good, I’m happy to get the win, three points away from home again,” Dreyer told the media after the match. “It’s nice, something I’ve dreamt about that, to help the team. To get behind and come back and win 3-1 away from home is something to build on.
“We trust each other. I’m happy for the team but there’s things to improve on. It was 1-1 for a long time, chances at both ends. C.J. was massive for us, to keep us in the game.
“The whole project is a new club. Everyone is working hard. It’s exciting to go to the facility and feel the energy.”
San Diego FC will host Columbus Crew SC in its second home match of its fledgling campaign Saturday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m.
