San Diego FC played its first-ever match at Snapdragon Stadium this Saturday, March 1, against St. Louis City.

This historic and memorable night for San Diego sports began several hours before the initial whistle.

Reminiscent of Chargers NFL games or Liga MX games across the border in Tijuana, fans were tailgating hours before the big event. The smell of barbeque filled the air, along with several different genres of music, including some live Mexican regional music across the parking lot.

Tailgating scene is very vibrant at Snapdragon Stadium ahead of San Diego FC vs. St. Louis City.@EVT_News https://t.co/3oLuAArOPN pic.twitter.com/09K0TunBw8

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 2, 2025

Anticipation grew as well as the excitement with a record-setting crowd of 34,506 spectators at the Mission Valley fortress. SDFC had a perfect start to its short history with a 2-0 win against MLS Cup Champions LA Galaxy in the first matchday of the 2025 MLS season.

As expected, Mikey Varas repeated the starting 11 that was able to get that historic win in Carson, Calif. CJ dos Santos was in between the sticks. The backline was made up of Jasper Loffelsend, Christopher McVey, Paddy McNair, and Franco Negri. The midfield trio consisted of Anibal Godoy, Jeppe Tverskov, and Luca de la Torre. The potent attack was made up of Hirving Lozano, Anders Dreyer, and Marcus Ingvartsen.

Just before the initial whistle, the festivities were nothing short of momentous, with a very electric and vibrant atmosphere at the Snap’.

Fireworks, lights, and a very emotionally-driven National Anthem sung in unison by the 34 thousand-plus fans were part of the festivities. Out of the front office members that made an appearance the most popular with fans was clearly Padres’ superstar Manny Machado.

Goosebumps. San Diego FC has officially arrived! @EVT_News pic.twitter.com/JMT2x7jfqS

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) March 2, 2025

Snapdragon Stadium was just about the loudest it has ever been by the initial whistle, as SDFC began with possession and then rarely gave it up in the first half. Mikey Varas’ team again did not abandon its core tactics and played an aggressive, possession-based, high-press style of play.

St. Louis held a very compact and rigid team and became increasingly frustrating for San Diego to break down. San Diego’s frustration grew even more in the 29th minute when superstar Hirving Lozano suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

The Mexican international was replaced by MLS veteran Emmanuel Boateng in what was one of the few dark clouds on the night.

“Chucky” Lozano out in the 29th minute with what looks potentially like a muscle injury. Emmnauel Boateng replaces him.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/QyabkygHXp

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 2, 2025

Lozano was highly involved in the offense, as expected, but SDFC kept attacking consistently after his departure. The clearest opportunity of the first half for either team came in the 40th minute when Anibal Godoy fired a shot off a corner kick by Anders Dreyer that was stopped by the visiting goalkeeper Roman Burki.

St. Louis’ backline was very disciplined and continued to be a headache for Mikey Varas to try and crack open. Anibal Godoy received a yellow card in the 68th minute and was subsequently subbed off in the 71st minute for Onni Valakari. Ian Pilcher also replaced Franco Negri in the left-back slot in the same minute.

SDFC kept on controlling the flow of the game but was struggling to produce any dangerous scoring plays with no shots on target in the second half by the 80th minute.

The clearest chance in the second half up until the 80th minute had been a header by Marcus Ingvartsen that sailed over the bar. There was not much for either team in the final 10 minutes of the game, as the match remained scoreless for the remainder.

San Diego FC had a very positive display, but the rock-solid St. Louis backline never lost composure and was able to hold onto the result. San Diego controlled over 70-percent possession and was clearly the better team on the night. St. Louis was only able to muster two shots in the entire match to San Diego’s 15.

There were was mixed reaction at the final whistle with some clear jeering from the home crowd. San Diego FC is still undefeated to start the season and, more importantly, is yet to concede a goal.

Mikey Varas gave no update on Hirving Lozano’s injury. Said he will be evaluated tomorrow.

(Chucky picture via @cedjayphotos)@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/VWuwzI8Y6H

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 2, 2025

Head coach Mikey Varas gave no update on Hirving Lozano’s injury after the match. Coach Varas said that “Chucky” will be evaluated tomorrow.

SDFC will go on the road in the third matchday of the MLS season to face Real Salt Lake on March 8. San Diego will have two more home matches in March, with the next being on March 15 against Columbus Crew.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.