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

This is a historic event as it will be the first-ever MLS club game in San Diego.

The first MLS game in San Diego was the 1999 MLS All-Star Game at Qualcomm Stadium. This will be another monumental moment in the club’s history after the 2-0 win against LA Galaxy in Carson, Calif.

SDFC has been the talk of the league after strolling into Dignity Health Sports Park and defeating the current MLS Cup champions. The win was not only impressive as a result, but also in the way San Diego was able to play that game. Mikey Varas used his very offensive and aggressive style of play and it paid dividends in this match.

Hirving Lozano was asked about SDFC’s style of play, @EVT_News:

“Watching a game like that (versus LA Galaxy), as a player, as a fan, football like that it’s attractive, it’s beautiful, it’s enjoyable. Hopefully, we have more matches like that. I believe we’re on a good path.” pic.twitter.com/LHCBd1xvAU

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) February 27, 2025

At home, Varas is expected to keep this style of play and even amplify it in front of three home crowd. Expect a possession heavy side, with counter-attacking play and a high press.

There is no visible reason for Varas to not repeat the starting 11 that was able to shock the MLS champs. The possible lineup is as follows: CJ dos Santos, Jasper Loffelsend, Christopher McVey, Paddy McNair, Franco Negri, Anibal Godoy, Jeppe Tverskov, Luca de la Torre, Anders Dreyer, Hirving Lozano, Marcus Ingvartsen.

I asked San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas about Andrés Reyes (knee) injury.

“Andrés is making steps. We’re setting him up for success for the whole season. So he’s making steps, but we want to get him to full strength.”@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/3VAjdNhm4V

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) February 27, 2025

Andres Reyes is still out due to injury, and Mikey Varas told EVT that he is still recovering to be fully fit for the season. Every single component of this starting 11 was highly efficient in the opener against LA Galaxy. The defense was the biggest surprise, as there had been some doubts after the first couple of preseason games against New York City and Portland.

However, Christopher McVey and Paddy McNair worked perfectly together in this backline to maintain stability. The fullbacks are still a concern, as Varas’ counter-attacking play can leave those positions vulnerable.

Anibal Godoy was key in helping maintain defensive stability as he tracked back and even played in between the center-backs against the Galaxy at times. Luca de la Torre was the most creative midfielder of the three and he will be expected to generate offensive play in this match and going foward.

There was never much doubt about the attacking trio, and Ingvartsen, Dreyer, and Lozano worked perfectly together. There was real chemistry shown between the three players, and Dreyer ended up being the hero for San Diego, with two goals scored against the Los Angeles side.

Anders Dreyer on what he expects to see at Snapdragon Stadium for San Diego FC’s home opener against St. Louis City SC, @EVT_News: pic.twitter.com/Nu8LGmj9O8

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) February 27, 2025

All eyes will be on Dreyer after being named the MLS Player of the Matchday for the first matchday of the 2025 MLS season. The bench was also effective in the season-opener, especially Tomas Angel, who provided an assist in Dreyer’s second goal.

St. Louis City had a very frustrating start to the 2025 season with a scoreless draw against Colorado Rapids at home. The team from Missouri was by far the better side, but Rapids’ goalkeeper Zack Steffen had five saves inside of the box to keep the clean sheet.

CJ dos Santos was barely tested against LA Galaxy and there are still several questions about his starting role. This has the potential to be an important test for the young shot-stopper in his second game for San Diego FC.

St. Louis also has a very talented goalkeeper in Roman Burki, who is arguably the best keeper in Major League Soccer. The German duo of Eduard Lowen and Marcel Hartel really lead this St. Louis side as both combined for 15 goal contributions in 2024. this is very impressive, considering that Hartel only played nine MLS games after joining the German team St. Pauli.

A record-breaking crowd is expected at Snapdragon Stadium in what is set to be one of the most important nights in San Diego sports history. SDFC has proven that it has the potential to be competitive against any MLS team, but this will be another test against a talented St. Louis team.

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.