Professional SportsMarch 2, 2025

San Diego FC's inaugural home match against St. Louis City ends in a 0-0 draw despite dominating possession. A sold-out Snapdragon Stadium witnessed the MLS debut of the league's 30th franchise.

GREG BEACHAM, Associated Press
San Diego FC defender Paddy McNair, heads a ball on goal as St. Louis City defender Tomas Totland defends during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego FC defender Paddy McNair, heads a ball on goal as St. Louis City defender Tomas Totland defends during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)ASSOCIATED PRESS
St. Louis City goalkeeper Roman Burki, above, punches a ball clear as he leaps over San Diego FC defender Christopher McVey during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
St. Louis City goalkeeper Roman Burki, above, punches a ball clear as he leaps over San Diego FC defender Christopher McVey during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Diego FC defender Franco Negri, below, battles St. Louis City defender Tomas Totland for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego FC defender Franco Negri, below, battles St. Louis City defender Tomas Totland for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)ASSOCIATED PRESS
St. Louis City defender Henry Kessler, right, clears a corner kick in front of San Diego FC midfielder Hirving Lozano, center, as St. Louis City goalkeeper Roman Burki awaits during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
St. Louis City defender Henry Kessler, right, clears a corner kick in front of San Diego FC midfielder Hirving Lozano, center, as St. Louis City goalkeeper Roman Burki awaits during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Diego FC fans sing before the team hosts St. Louis City in an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego FC fans sing before the team hosts St. Louis City in an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)ASSOCIATED PRESS
Fans arrive before San Diego FC hosts St. Louis City in an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Fans arrive before San Diego FC hosts St. Louis City in an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Diego FC founding partner Manny Machado carries an illuminated ball during a ceremony before the team hosts an MLS soccer match against St. Louis City Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego FC founding partner Manny Machado carries an illuminated ball during a ceremony before the team hosts an MLS soccer match against St. Louis City Saturday, March 1, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego FC played to a 0-0 draw with St. Louis City in the Major League Soccer expansion club's inaugural home match on Saturday night.

Despite 14 shots and 67.1% possession, San Diego was unable to break through St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Bürki and his defense. St. Louis managed only two shots against CJ dos Santos and San Diego, but both were on goal.

The final score hardly dampened the excitement at sold-out Snapdragon Stadium, which was packed with 34,506 fans for the home debut of Major League Soccer's 30th franchise. San Diego began play last week with a 2-0 victory at the defending MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy.

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, the star winger signed by San Diego last year as its first designated player, came off in the 31st minute against St. Louis after apparently injuring his leg. The Mexican national team star often struggled with injuries while playing in the Netherlands and Italy.

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San Diego was more aggressive throughout the match, but got credit for just one shot on goal. Marcus Ingvartsen had a promising header in the box in the 74th minute, but popped it over the crossbar.

The San Diego crowd was warned three times in the second half for doing the homophobic soccer chant that frequently occurs in the matches of the Mexico men's national team.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

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