San Diego FC Begins MLS Journey with Challenging Match Against LA Galaxy

Image credits: OneFootball, USATSI

SAN Diego FC is set to face a challenging welcome to the MLS when they kick-start their inaugural season this weekend. The Californian side was founded in 2023 and has become the 30th team to enter the expanded top flight of American football. San Diego's ownership group is led by British-Egyptian businessman Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.

Amongst those also involved in the club hierarchy is former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata. Mata, who is currently at Australian A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers, hit 107 goal contributions in 278 Premier League outings. He won the Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup at Chelsea, with the latter two trophies also coming at United with a League Cup. The 36-year-old has won the World Cup and Euros with Spain too, and now taken his footballing interest to the United States. Mata joined San Diego as a partner in November to become the first active player with an ownership stake in MLS.

The league newcomers will be one of 15 teams competing in the MLS Western Conference from this season. Mikey Varas, who was previously with the United States national team as an interim boss, is the club's first-ever head coach. He will name their debut MLS starting XI on Sunday night when they travel to none other than LA Galaxy. Their Californian neighbors are the reigning champions and record winners of the MLS Cup, with six titles to their name. David Beckham's former club finished second behind rivals Los Angeles FC on goal difference in the Western Conference last year.

Here are the match scores for the recent games:

• LA Galaxy vs New York Red Bulls: 2-1
• San Diego FC vs New York Red Bulls (pre-season): 6-0

The Galaxy cruised through the MLS Cup play-offs before they beat New York Red Bulls in the final to become league champions. It followed their previous triumphs in 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, and 2014. San Diego could be set to spoil the start of their title defense though as the increasingly popular MLS welcomes its latest side. Los Angeles FC face Minnesota United FC in the season opener later on Saturday.

San Diego FC has already made history in their first match, with Anders Dreyer scoring the club's first-ever goal in the North American top flight against LA Galaxy. Hirving Lozano provided the assist, and the two leading men in the attack are already linking up on matchday one. A budding partnership could prove decisive as the ambitious club looks to reach the MLS Cup playoffs in year one. With the addition of players like Dreyer and the guidance of coach Mikey Varas, San Diego FC is looking to make a strong statement in their inaugural season.

galaxy mls diego san vara juan mata mikey dreyer hirv