LA Galaxy v San Diego FC: ´I see no better way than to start our history´ – Varas

San Diego FC do not need any extra motivation as they aim to make a splash in their inaugural MLS fixture.

The latest expansion team to join the league, San Diego will make their bow against the LA Galaxy, the reigning MLS Cup champions, on Sunday.

San Diego’s roster includes former Manchester United and Middlesbrough midfielder Paddy McNair, as well as ex-PSV and Napoli attacker Hirving Lozano.

And coach Mikey Varas, who took interim charge of the United States last year, is thrilled to get going and create history.

Indeed, he sees no better team to do it against than last season’s top dogs.

“Excited, really motivated to show all the hard work we’ve done. We have this excitement and this feeling of responsibility,” he said.

“Every game is the same – we aim to get three points.

“It’s a tough task to go up against MLS Cup champions in your first game in history, after only five weeks of training, but I see no better way than to start our history.

“It’s a baptism of fire, right off the bat, let’s go out there and see where we stand.

“Ultimately, we go to win the game. The baseline of success is to show we are brave to play away from home, show we are relentless to press, to make the game difficult for the MLS Cup champions, and to show we are united in our fighting team spirit.

“We can show the fans that we’re here for real. If we do those things consistently, the results will come.”

See ya soon, @LAGalaxy pic.twitter.com/Z8u42H0yVj

— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) February 15, 2025

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec

Pec had a superb season last season, scoring 16 goals. With the Galaxy having sold Dejan Joveljic to Sporting Kansas City, though, then there is more pressure on Pec to keep up that form this season.

The Brazilian attacker will want to make a strong start, and is certainly one to watch.

San Diego – Hirving Lozano

Lozano has been a star in both the Netherlands and Italy, though he could not click into gear during his second spell at PSV, and a deal to move across the Atlantic was arranged last year.

The Mexico international is only 29, though, so he is far from over the hill.

MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN

For the first time ever, the Galaxy will be the first opponent for an MLS expansion side. This will mark the fourth time in league history that an expansion team opened with the reigning MLS Cup champions (Miami Fusion at D.C. United in 1998, Chivas USA at D.C. United in 2005, Portland vs. Colorado in 2011).

Only two of the last 12 MLS expansion teams have won their first match dating back to 2012 (D2 L8), with Los Angeles FC defeating the Seattle Sounders in 2018 and St. Louis City SC winning against Austin FC in 2023.

Orlando City and New York City FC drew in 2015 when both teams were playing their first-ever MLS match.

The Galaxy won their sixth MLS Cup title in 2024. They have opened their defence with a win after each of their last two title-winning seasons, defeating the Chicago Fire in both 2013 and 2015. They had failed to win the opening match of their title defence in the season following each of their first three MLS Cup wins (D1 L2).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LA Galaxy – 63.2%

San Diego – 17.2%

Draw – 19.6%