Newcomers San Diego stun champions L.A. Galaxy on MLS opening day
Led by Mexico's 'Chucky' Lozano and with two goals from Dane Dreyer, they also ended the L.A. Galaxy's unbeaten run on their home field dating back to 2023.

Lozano tries to beat Micovic during the match.
In its first-ever match in the North American Major League Soccer (MLS), San Diego FC secured a resounding 2-0 victory on Sunday as a visitor against the defending champions, Los Angeles Galaxy. Danish player Anders Dreyer scored the first two goals for the franchise, the league's 30th team.
For the first, he capitalized on an assist from Mexican star Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano in the 52nd minute, and Dreyer himself finished off the win on a counterattack in the 90+3 after a pass from Colombian Tomas Angel.
"Winning the first game is a very important step for the club. We have only been training for a month and we are already seeing results," congratulated Lozano in statements picked up by AFP, who left European soccer at 29 to lead this project on the border with his country. "The people of San Diego have supported me and received me in the best way and for me the most important thing is to give my all on the field," said the former Napoli and PSV Eindhoven player.
A sad title celebration
The unexpected defeat ruined a festive day in Carson (outside Los Angeles), where the Galaxy raised last season's championship banner. In the run-up to the game, the packed stands at Dignity Health Sports Park gave a standing ovation to their great idol, Spaniard Riqui Puig, who took part in the festivities dressed in a suit.
Puig was the key player in helping the Galaxy, the most sucessful franchise in the MLS with six titles, end a decade-long drought. The former Barcelona playmaker, however, continues his long recovery from the hamstring injury he suffered in the past playoffs.
"If the win hadn't been against the champions, it would have been good too. But we knew they had a party before the game and we said to ourselves, 'Let's kill that party,'" Striker Anders Dreyer explained to the media. "I'm happy to score but it's about the team, not individuals and it's nice to give the club a good start," the former Belgian Anderlecht player stressed.
Exhibition by 'Chucky' Lozano
San Diego had the match under control at all times, nullifying the connections of the locals and creating opportunities for a wider victory, most of them born from the boots of 'Chucky' Lozano. After a first half with hardly any chances, San Diego took advantage of the first of a series of defensive errors by the home side.
Serbian goalkeeper Novak Micovic made a hasty exit with his feet and sent a pass to Colombian Emiro Garcés, who failed to control the ball. The ball fell to Lozano to set up Dreyer for a goal on a platter amid the jubilation of the several hundred fans who accompanied San Diego on its debut.
With the Galaxy backline unattended, Lozano had two great chances to score his first MLS goal. The Mexican international had the clearest in a one-on-one with Micovic, who this time deflected the shot with a handball.
An end to the Galaxy's unbeaten run at home
Spain's Miguel Berry wasted the home side's only real opportunity, firing a close-range shot against the body of goalkeeper CJ dos Santos. In the final stretch, Lozano was replaced by Tomás Ángel, a former Galaxy player.
In stoppage time, the son of former Colombian striker Juan Pablo Ángel commanded a lightning counterattack and provided the assist for the second goal to Dreyer, who silenced the stands with his thunderbolt. With this great performance, San Diego also ended the Galaxy's unbeaten home record since October 2023.
The first day of the MLS season kicked off on Saturday with a tonic 1-1 draw for Lionel Messi's Inter Miami against New York City FC.
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