SAN DIEGO (Saturday, May 24, 2025) – San Diego FC (SDFC) rallied late to beat LA Galaxy 2-1 with goals by Luca de la Torre and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano to earn three points in dramatic fashion at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The result extended SDFC’s unbeaten streak to five matches, earning points in four consecutive matches at home. SDFC (8-4-3, 27 pts) currently sit in second place in the Western Conference standings and remains unbeaten in the month of May.
LA Galaxy (0-11-4, 4 points) took a 1-0 lead in the 40th minute with a goal from Diego Fagundez who sent a right-footed shot that bent into the net from just inside the penalty box. But the visitors’ lead lasted only seconds. De La Torre tied the match 1-1 when he scored off an assist courtesy of SDFC captain Jeppe Tverskov minutes before halftime. Lozano then sent in the game-winner via a header off a cross from Anders Dreyer in the second half’s stoppage time to seal the victory for San Diego.
It was SDFC’s second time beating the LA Galaxy after defeating the MLS Cup defending champions 2-0 in the club’s inaugural match on Feb. 23 in Carson, Calif. Next up, SDFC will go on the road to face the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday, May 28 at Lumen Field. The match will kick off at 5:30 p.m. PT and will air live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Goal Scoring Plays:
0-1 – Diego Fagundez (Marco Reus), 40th minute: Fagundez opened the scoring with a curling right-footed shot from just inside the penalty area, beating SDFC goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos. The goal was set up by Reus, who delivered a well-timed pass from just outside the box.
1-1 – Luca de la Torre (Jeppe Tverskov, Willy), 41st minute: De La Torre equalized with a composed right-footed finish from near the center of the box, beating a defender and slipping the ball past goalkeeper Novak Micovic. The play began with Willy, who played a quick pass to Tverskov on the right. Tverskov then threaded a ball through a defender’s legs to find De La Torre near the six-yard box for the finish.
2-1 – Hirving “Chucky” Lozano (Anders Dreyer), 90+5: Lozano headed in the game-winner on a floating cross from Dreyer from left to right. Lozano beat his defender to send connect and beat goalkeeper Novak Micovic. Dreyer began the scoring play after taking the ball on a mistake from the LA Galaxy defense and speeding up field to feed Lozano.
Postgame Notes:
- With today's 2-1 win against LA Galaxy, SDFC earned its eighth win in Club history.
- SDFC is now 8-4-3 with 27 points through 15 games this season, jumping to second place in the Western Conference standings after today’s match.
- SDFC has earned points in five consecutive matches (four at home), outscoring its last four opponents 11-2.
- SDFC is now 5-1-3 at home this season.
- SDFC is now 8-3-2 against Western Conference rivals this season.
- SDFC earned 10 out of 12 available points in four matches played in 14 days.
- After tonight’s result, SDFC remains undefeated in the month of May (4-0-1).
- In its inaugural season, SDFC is currently tied for fourth in goals scored in MLS in 2025, with 27 goals through 15 matches – tied with Inter Miami CF and LAFC.
- Midfielder Luca de la Torre scored his third goal of the season and his third in MLS.
- De La Torre was named to the United States National Team camp roster earlier this week for upcoming friendlies Turkey and Switzerland. He becomes the first USMNT call up in SDFC history.
- Goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos and defender Chris McVey started tonight and played a full 90 minutes through the Club’s first 15 matches, each totaling 1,350 minutes played.
- Lozano scored his fifth goal of the season.
- Lozano now has eleven goal contributions this season (5 goals, 6 assists).
- Lozano has now contributed twice against LA Galaxy as he assisted Anders Dreyer in the teams’ first meeting on Feb. 23
- Dreyer now leads the team in goal contributions with 13 contributions (6 goals, 7 assists).
- SDFC is currently a top 10 team in MLS to have multiple players with at least 10 goal contributions each (Dreyer and Lozano).
- With his assist today, Dreyer has three goal contributions in the Club’s four goals scored against LA Galaxy (2 goals, one assist).
- Lozano’s goal today is the second stoppage time score against LA Galaxy this season.
- SDFC has scored eight goals after the 76th minute this season with Lozano’s game-winner today
- With De La Torre’s goal today, SDFC has also scored eight goals after the 31st minute this season.
- Defenders Luca Bombino made his eighth start for SDFC tonight.
- Defender Willy registered his first assist with SDFC and his first in MLS during De la Torre’s goal today.
- Forward Milan Iloski made his eighth-consecutive SDFC appearance, replacing Alex Mighten in the 77th minute, marking his 10th career MLS appearance.
Next Game
Next up, SDFC will travel to face the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field on Wednesday, May 28 at 5:30 p.m. PT. The match will air live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Match Information
2025 MLS Regular Season
San Diego FC (8-4-3, 27 pts) vs. LAG (0-11-4, 4 pts)
Saturday, May 24, 2025 – Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego, Calif.)
Scoring Summary:
LA (0-1) – Diego Fagundez (Assisted by Marco Reus, 40’)
SD (1-1) - Luca De la Torre (Assisted by Jeppe Tverskov and Willy, 41’)
SD (2-1) - Hirving “Chucky” Lozano (Assisted by Anders Dreyer, 90+5)
Misconduct Summary:
SD- Hirving Lozano (caution 30’)
LA – Edwin Cerrillo (caution 37’)
LA – Gabriel Pec (caution 45+3)
LA - Miki Yamane (caution 62’)
LA - Marco Reus (caution 84’)
Lineups:
SAN DIEGO FC: GK CJ Dos Santos; D Willy (Oscar Verhoeven, 53’), D Christopher McVey, D Paddy McNair, D Luca Bombino; M Aníbal Godoy (Onni Valakari, 87’), M Jeppe Tverskov -C-, M Luca de la Torre, F Anders Dreyer, F Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, F Alex Mighten (Milan Iloski, 77’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Pablo Sisniega, D Ian Pilcher, D Franco Negri, M Alejandro Alvarado Jr., D Jasper Loëffelsend, M Alejandro Alvarado Jr. F Tomás Ángel.
TOTAL SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 11; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES; 0
LA GALAXY: GK Novak Micovic, D Miki Yamane, D Maya Yoshida -C-, D Josh Nelson, D Emiro Garces, M Edwin Cerrillo, M Lucas Sanabria (Isaiah Parente, 72), M Gabriel Pec, M Marco Reus, F Joseph Paintsil, F Diego Fagundez (Christian Ramirez, 72’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK John McCarthy, D Julian Aude, D Zanka, F Matheus Nascimento, D Mauricio Cuevas, M Tucker Lepley, M Elijah Wynder
TOTAL SHOTS: 9; SHOTS ON GOAL: 1; FOULS: 15; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 0
Referee: Jon Freemon
Assistant Referees: Kyle Atkins, Corey Parker
Fourth Official: Elijio Arreguin
VAR: Sorin Stoica
AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
Weather: Sunny, 68 Degrees
Attendance: 30,114
SDFC HEAD COACH MIKEY VARAS
Opening statement:
“I want to start by saying, I understand that there was an incident in the stands after the game and I just want to state clearly, as we did earlier in the season, our club values are really clear. There's no place for violence in this sport. This is the beautiful game. It's supposed to bring joy. Of course, there's passion, but we're gathering all the information. I don't have enough information to give you guys anything, so I would like to focus on the game from a questions perspective.”
On how Hirving Lozano’s 83rd minute chase down tackle propelled the team through the final minutes:
“First and foremost, everybody should take note of this moment in time is a big moment for the club. These are moments that clubs are built on. These are the moments nobody will forget, that inspire an entire region and make the club real. Guys got the goal in 95th minute, and it's an amazing goal. Anders (Dreyer) to Hirving (Lozano). But like you said, my favorite play of the game is Hirving chasing down (Gabriel) Pec. On a yellow card, 70 yards, making a sliding tackle, these are moments that clubs are built on. These are legacies for me in terms of how Hirving shows who he is on the field.”
On what it takes to stay mentally focused for an entire match to capitalize when opportunity presents itself:
“You know, I can't speak for all coaches, I'm a young coach, I'm learning every single day, but one thing that we talk about a lot here that we all have convictions for, is being relentless. So, when things are not going your way, how do you turn it around? How do you impact the flow? When things are going your way, how do you keep it going? And I understand that (Emiro) Garces makes a mistake, you know, but it's not on him. It's also a combination of how we went after the game. We went after the game for 95 minutes and the fact that we still have all three of our-- our two wingers and our number nine-- that high, chasing the game at the end of the game, where easily those guys could go back and just say, 'Let's take the one point.' We also create our destiny by pushing the game and I'm really proud of the guys for that.”
On how SDFC have created an identity of closing out halves and closing out games:
“All starts with who you are in your DNA and when we talk about who we are, we say we go after the game, to score goals and impact the flow. So, every decision and every action you make has to be based on that. So, I think the guys being brave, continue to play forward, get numbers forward, and then, I think from our substitution pattern, putting in more and more attacking minded players as the game goes on, and being brave with ourselves as well.”
SDFC FORWARD HIRVING “CHUCKY” LOZANO
[Translated from Spanish]
On what the game means to him and the effort the team put in:
“I'm happy that was what was done on the field. It was a great team effort, the whole staff as well. And I think we were able to do what we wanted to do and we were assigned to do. And like I said, during the week, during the media availability, these games are different, and you just have to give it a little bit extra. And I think I did my job and helped the team. And you know, I was able to score in the end.”
On what he thought when the defensive mistake started his scoring play:
“The first thing I thought was, you know, just trying to connect with the ball and connect it with my head, and I was calm and didn't rush it, and you know, just try to connect it, and thank goodness I was able to score.”
On his long sprint to defend and steal a ball in the 83rd minute:
“The main thing is to try and help the team and try to not let them score a goal. On that play he passed the ball very close to my foot, and (Gabriel) Pec grabbed the ball and went straight to the goal. I tried to follow him, I tried to reach him, and thanks to him we got it, because it was a very dangerous counterattack.”
On the aggressiveness of the game despite playing with a yellow card:
“I think that, as I said, in these games you live differently, the intensity is a characteristic in these games and well, you are always at the limit of the cards of the game, of a kick and everything, I don't want to talk about that topic, I think it doesn't suit me, but well, I think it was very nice because it was very aggressive, the game, we had the two teams attacking, Galaxy is a good team, they have good players, but I think that we gave that plus and well, that's why, thank God, we took the victory.”
On working collectively to get positive results as a group:
“The truth is that the main thing, I think it's the guys. The guys are great people. We made a great group. We are doing that. I think that personally it is something main so that a team can advance. I think we have made that environment very beautiful. Of course we had a low. It is normal. It is a new team. There is still a lot to work on. There is still a lot to understand. They are working on that as a team, as players. They are putting all their effort at training to have that connection in the best way. I think it can be seen on the court. It is normal that there are ups and downs, but we are getting back to work. We are getting back to concentration. Thank God we have had that boost in the best way.”
SDFC MIDFIELDER LUCA DE LA TORRE
On the persistence he had in today's match and what it means beating LA as a native San Diegan:
“Thanks. Yeah, it's something I worked on a lot over the last few seasons, to arrive a lot in front of the goal. You know, I know if I arrive three or four times, then sometimes the ball comes and sometimes it doesn't, and today it came, and I was able to finish. So, I'm really happy with that. Obviously, the win against LA is really important for us. Now it's 3-0 against LA teams and we're really happy about that.”
On how it feels to score his first goal in front of the home supporters:
“Yeah, it's a great feeling. You know, scoring a goal is one of the best feelings in sports, I think. So obviously, to win today, to do it at home, score goal at home, I'm very happy.”
On how important the upcoming period with the USMNT is:
“Yeah, at the moment, I feel good. I feel like I'm playing well. I feel fit and it's just [taking] that into the camp, and to do my best, and show my qualities as a player and just take one opportunity at a time, there's nothing else to do.”
On how the team capitalized on an opportunity to score the game winning goal:
“Yeah, Anders has really great instincts about anticipating mistakes from defenders. You saw it also against St Louis, so I give a lot of credit to him just being in the right place at the right time. Then obviously, Chucky finishing the action. I think it was well deserved, the win in the end, but obviously these moments are super important, the goals decide the games.”
SDFC TEAM CAPTAIN JEPPE TVERSKOV
On the team being able to rally and his assist tonight:
“I think in terms of the style of play, it's more about position and being dynamic within position, so we are free to go wherever we see fit, if it suits the team, so that goes for me as well, I'm mainly in build-up and protect them for the defense when we attack, but sometimes if there's open space for me, I can go as well, so it was nice getting an assist again, and yeah, in general, it was a tough game. I tried to... break down the L.A. defense and the game as it developed, it became harder and harder. So, yeah, we needed that little magic and fortunately we have that up front.”
On the battles at midfield in a hard-fought match:
“I think we saw from some of their games and also from our first games against them that if we are strong in the midfield and break them down in the middle, we feel like it opened up a bit. They have very good offensive players, but sometimes they also are not lazy, but standing purposely higher on the pitch, which means if you're able to control the game from midfield, you will have a good chance out of the game and that was our plan and yeah it's a good team so that's why we didn't succeed from first minute but yeah it end up progressing good.”
On being able to work through lines this season:
“It's what we've been training it so it's a nice question because that's all the things we've been trying to do in preseason and trying to do on the first game so it's nice it's getting noticed. Thank you. That's exactly what you're trying to do overload midfield be able to create in small areas which means that bigger aerials will open up on the side and we have guys that's good there should be is very good wide really is very good wide so yeah that's, That's kind of our plan.”
On the physicality of MLS and if it feels like a derby:
“Yeah, definitely. I think we felt it during the week. Yeah, just from people around but also here coming to the stadium. Yeah, kind of didn't need to tell anything about the game beforehand because we felt it from the first game of the season. We know it and we felt it. And yeah, a lot of people need bragging rights and yeah, it's nice for us. As I said, we felt it going on the pitch but we also know how important a game like this is, especially winning in the last minute. That's one of those games that kind of starts something for a club and yeah, it's just nice.”
On if this the best week ever for him:
“Yeah, it's been a heavy week for me. I got called up to the national team early, then I got married actually, then it was my birthday. Now today, goal and a win. So, it's probably all downhill from here, but at the moment really happy.”
On which was the best part:
“I have to say my wedding, or my wife will kill me, thank you.”
Don't miss next Saturday's Summer Kickoff, presented by California Bank & Trust. The first 25K attendees will receive an SDFC Beach Towel.
