Enlargement membership San Diego FC will look to construct on a historic opening win after they play their first-ever house match in opposition to St. Louis Metropolis on Saturday night time.
San Diego (1-0-0, 3 factors) pulled off one of many largest upsets in league enlargement historical past, defeating the defending MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 in Carson, Calif., on Sunday due to a pair of second-half objectives by Anders Dreyer.
Coach Mikey Varas acknowledges that as shocking because the opening win was, he views it as a mere appetizer in comparison with the feelings of greater than 30,000 followers who’re anticipated to observe the primary house match for the league’s thirtieth membership.
“All of us are honored by the chance,” Varas mentioned, “and on the finish of the day, we additionally cherish the duty that comes with it. And it is a large duty, as a result of we all know the membership will likely be right here 100 years from now, however we can’t. However the steps that we take now are going to be pushing this membership on a trajectory.”
Enlargement golf equipment sometimes wrestle to contend for the playoffs of their first season. Belying that assertion, nevertheless, is Saturday’s opponent. St. Louis completed atop the Western Convention in its inaugural marketing campaign simply two seasons in the past.
However St. Louis (0-0-1, 1 level) regressed in 2024 partly resulting from a dismal 1-8-8 away report that led to the midseason dismissal of supervisor Bradley Carnell. His successor, Olof Mellberg, has made enhancing that away report one among his first objectives within the membership’s third season.
“I do not suppose we should always evaluate an excessive amount of with final season,” Mellberg mentioned. “We have labored actually arduous this week with a very good recreation plan for Saturday’s recreation, and we really feel assured in that. And I believe that is what the gamers want, to really feel that they’ve a very good plan.”
Mellberg’s squad settled for a scoreless draw in opposition to the visiting Colorado Rapids in its opener, regardless of dominating the movement of the sport.
Joao Klauss and Simon Becher every pressured Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen into a number of saves, and St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Burki was not pressured to make a single save.
–Subject Stage Media
