This Saturday, March 15, San Diego FC hosted Columbus Crew for a game in the fourth matchday of the 2025 MLS season. There was another large and euphoric crowd on the scene for the second-ever MLS club game in San Diego.

There were unfortunate problems with an infamous discriminatory goalkeeper chant at the first home

game against St. Louis. SDFC took measures against that in this match with flyers, signs, extra security, and a prematch message by Anibal Godoy, manager Mikey Varas, and CEO Tom Penn.

This pamphlet is in every seat tonight at Snapdragon Stadium, asking fans not to do the infamous chant.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/BW4VYj54ch

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 16, 2025

The problem was almost completely neutralized as the chant was not prominent in the slightest in this second home match.

Minority co-owner Manny Machado invited some of the San Diego Padres to this match, including Fernando Tatis Jr. and Joe Musgrove. Musgrove led the charge with the prematch chrome ball ceremony, as several San Diego Padres were present at this match.

Joe Musgrove leads the charge as several San Diego Padres present at the San Diego FC vs. Columbus Crew match.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/As3GMziTcR

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 16, 2025

There was not the same buzz or crowd as the home opener against St. Louis, but the atmosphere at the Mission Valley fortress was still electric, with a very positive turnout.

Here we go! Almost time for kickoff at Snapdragon. #SDFC vs #ColumbusCrew @EVT_News pic.twitter.com/XGaugwHPpz

— Jenny Furrer (@JennyFurrer619) March 16, 2025

Mikey Varas made two very substantial changes to his starting 11 as Willy Kumado and Luca Bombino replaced Franco Negri and Jasper Loffelsend. The decision to replace the fullbacks was a bit puzzling as both Loffelsend and especially Negri had been in great form.

The SDFC lineup was as follows: CJ Dos Santos, Willy Kumado, Paddy McNair, Christopher McVey, Luca Bombino, Anibal Godoy, Jeppe Tverskov, Luca de la Torre, Anders Dreyer, Tomas Angel, Marcus Ingvartsen

This was always going to be a tough game against Columbus Crew, led by head coach Wilfried Nancy. The French manager is regarded as one of the best managers in MLS, with an orderly and possession-based playing style that seemed to frustrate SDFC at times.

Columbus Crew came into Snapdragon Stadium and played the first half, like SDFC usually plays against its opponents. The visitors had more possession than San Diego and came out on top in the opening 45 minutes.

In just the 12th minute of this match, Maximilian Arfsten put Wilfried Nancy’s side up. The Crew took advantage of an opening on the left flank as DeJuan Jones crossed the ball to Arfsten, who managed to get a shot in between two San Diego defenders and sink the sphere into the back of the net.

The openings in the backline were very present in the first 45 minutes as Columbus attacked on Willy Kumado’s flank frequently. However, San Diego came back into the game towards the end of the first half with a pair of clear-scoring opportunities.

Anders Dreyer had a golden chance to get a goal, but it seemed that the Danish forward hung onto the ball for too long, and his shot was saved by goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. Paddy McNair went on to score off the corner kick following Dreyer’s failed attempt, but his goal was disallowed due to an offside ruling.

Injuries continued to plague SDFC in this match as Marcus Ingvartsen had to be subbed off to start the second half. The Danish striker was replaced by Onni Valakari. The Finnish playmaker was on the left flank but also drifted centrally behind Tomas Angel frequently.

The second half remained highly competitive, and SDFC managed to find more of the ball. In the 54th minute, another goal was ruled offside for San Diego as Anders Dreyer found himself in an offside position.

The game drastically turned in San Diego’s favor in the 61st minute when Malte Amundsen received a red card for a rough foul on Anders Dreyer. The Danish forward continued to be vital for San Diego, provoking this red card with his run that saw him through on goal.

Mikey Varas made two more substitutions in the 67th minute as Alejandro Alvarado Jr. and Alex Mighten came on for Tomas Angel and Anibal Godoy. Varas was going in a very unconventional route without a traditional striker.

Onni Valakari scores the first home goal in @sandiegofc history! pic.twitter.com/YyfcsKNsFa

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 16, 2025

Shortly after, in the 68th minute, San Diego FC tied the match with a goal by Onni Valakari. This was a historic first-ever goal for SDFC at Snapdragon Stadium. The Finnish player was able to connect a header off a corner kick executed by Luca de la Torre.

Snapdragon Stadium witnessed its loudest moment of the night as fireworks exploded in the air along with a roar by the home crowd. The San Diego FC faithful were finally able to witness a goal by the home team after a scoreless home opener.

Mikey Varas really pressed for another goal with the massive man advantage. In the 83rd minute, Franco Negri and Jasper Loffelsend came on for Luca Bombino and Willy Kumado.

Patrick Shulte was key for Columbus in this match with several key saves, including a save off a shot by Anders Dreyer inside the box. San Diego was very creative going forward, with plenty of playmakers in the game, but Shulte really kept Columbus in this match.

The tense atmosphere grew in the final minutes of the match, with the referee signaling eight added minutes for stoppage time. Columbus kept a very rigid and orderly build even with 10 men and SDFC really struggled to get that elusive second goal.

That goal never came as the game ended in what was an extremely hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Mission Valley fortress. San Diego FC remains undefeated with this result, now with eight points from four games played. San Diego will look to extend its road winning streak in matchday 5 as SDFC plays Austin away from home.

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.