San Diego FC are all set to kick off their first-ever MLS match on Sunday when they take on the reigning MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy at Snapdragon Stadium.
San Diego, led by head coach Mikey Varas, are the 30th team in MLS and enter the league in its 30th season. Former Mexico international midfielder Chucky Lozano and current USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre will lead the group into the first match, which will be an emotional and rivalry-filled day in California.
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Outside of their two stars, look for former New York Red Bulls defender Andrés Reyes to play a key role. Anders Dreyer, a 26-year-old winger who stood out in the Belgian top flight last season, is also looking to leave his mark on the match.
The expansion side might also be catching the Galaxy at a weak point. Head coach Greg Vanney will be without superstar attacking talents Riqui Puig and Joseph Paintsil due to injury, and his championship roster has since lost Mark Delgado, Gastón Brugman and Dejan Joveljić.
Despite the departures, the Galaxy strengthened in the offseason, adding striker Christian Ramirez from Columbus Crew SC, Matheus Nascimento (on loan from Botafogo), Lucas Sanabria and Mathias Jørgensen.
LA led the Western Conference with 69 regular season goals last season but finished second in the table behind LAFC. They’ve also not won their season-opening match since 2022.
Here’s how the newest MLS side and one of the oldest could line up on Sunday.
