San Diego 3 : 2 LAFC

SDFC wins first rivalry game against LAFC

It was bedlam in San Diego on Saturday night.

San Diego FC defeated Los Angeles FC 3-2 in a tightly contested matchup on Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium. This marks SDFC’s first-ever home win. SDFC (3-2-1, 11 points) improved to second in the Western Conference standings. LAFC (3-0-3, 9 points) fell to seventh in the Western Conference.

The first half was action-packed a game as you’ll ever see in MLS.

At the 20-minute mark, midfielder Aníbal Godoy received a free kick after LAFC was given a yellow card. Defender Christopher McVey scored a header off the free kick, inciting loud cheers from the hometown SDFC fans.

SDFC celebrates after defender Christopher McVey scores the team’s first goal against LAFC at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Photo: Artur Ivanov/Prost International

Thirteen minutes later, SDFC had another free kick taken by winger Andres Dreyer.

The kick was blocked by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but instead of securing the ball, he dropped it right in front of the goal. Midfielder Onni Valakari took advantage of the mistake and scored the free shot, giving San Diego a 2-0 lead.

Valakari was once again a part of an SDFC score only minutes later.

San Diego had a three-on-two opportunity on the right side of the field, with Valakari passing a crosser to forward Alex Mighten for their third score of the night.

“I’ve been practicing being in the back post in training,” Mighten said. “Just remembering to be in the penalty box especially when the ball comes across. Yeah, it was a really good moment like I said, I thank God and this is only the start for me.”

Momentum quickly switched within the last six minutes of the first half.

LAFC defender Artem Smolyakov scored a long-range shot at the 43-minute mark to give LA their first score of the night and probably ensured a less tense half time team talk.

Six minutes later during the extra time period of the first half, defender Sergi Palencia crosse to midfielder Mark Delgado, who then passed the ball to nearby defender Cengiz Ünder for the goal. Going into the half, SDFC led 3-2.

Both coaches now had to tear up their speeches.

“The first 38 [to] 40 minutes of that [first] half were unbelievable,” SDFC first-year head coach Mikey Varas said. “[LAFC] started pressing us a little bit. We made an error. We lost our composure for a few minutes, but halftime came at a good moment to cut that momentum.”

SDFC forward Hirving “Chucky” Lozano fights for the ball with LAFC defender Eddie Segura at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Photo: Artur Ivanov/Prost International

The long-awaited return of SDFC winger Chucky Lozano happened as he came off the bench at the 71-minute mark.

San Diego fans responded with a prolonged and loud cheer as he stepped onto the field. Lozano had a shot at the goal after a three-on-one from SDFC almost immediately the play resumed but his shot was blocked by Lloris.

SDFC maintained the lead for the rest of the game, with neither team scoring in the second half.

The game was almost sold out, with a crowd of 32, 502 fans in attendance. While it was a home game for San Diego, there were plenty of Los Angeles fans who traveled from LA to San Diego to support their side, with LA fans having their own section in Snapdragon Stadium.

San Diego fans have supported the team tremendously in its inaugural season, with 30,000+ fans showing up to every home game so far.

Blue smoke fills the stands as an SDFC fan cheers for his team against LAFC at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Photo: Artur Ivanov/Prost International

“This is what dreams are made of,” said Varas. “50 years from now, this club is gonna be a giant. I know this club is gonna be giant and not just in MLS, this club will be a giant in all of the Americas.

“Our job right now is to set the first steps in that journey for 50 years later and make that future generation proud,” Varas said. “I think that the boys are doing a great job doing that.”

San Diego has another home game on Sat., April 5 at 7:30 p.m. PT against the Seattle Sounders FC at Snapdragon Stadium.