Anders Dreyer scored San Diego's first two MLS goals as they beat LA Galaxy 2-0 to record their first-ever victory.

The event itself had been seen as one of celebration on both sides, given it was the inaugural game for expansion team San Diego and the Galaxy's first since winning a league-record sixth MLS Cup title in 2024.

But it was the visitors who left the happier of the two teams after coming out on top in a keenly contested encounter.

The Galaxy did not help themselves after a tight first half, which finished goalless.

In the 52nd minute, goalkeeper Novak Micovic bent an overhit and difficult-to-control pass toward defender Emiro Garces, who could only deflect it towards Hirving Lozano while still in the penalty area.

Lozano laid the ball onto the unmarked Dreyer, who hammered in the first league goal of San Diego's history.

Following the opener, there were chances for both sides with Micovic and San Diego goalkeeper Carlos Dos Santos on hand to produce impressive saves.

But with the Galaxy pressing for an equaliser, they were left vulnerable on the counter and, following a scramble in the San Diego penalty area, the ball ricocheted to Tomas Angel in the third minute of stoppage time.

Angel sent a raking pass upfield to Dreyer, and then raced forward to latch onto a one-two.

He then held the ball up on the edge of the opposition penalty area, waiting for support, which eventually came in the form of Dreyer, who thundered in a brilliant finish off the underside of the crossbar.

Data debrief: Sensational start for San Diego

San Diego became just the third-ever MLS expansion team out of 13 to win their first match. The previous two occasions came when Los Angeles FC beat the Seattle Sounders in 2018 and St. Louis City SC overcame Austin FC in 2023.

LA Galaxy, meanwhile, had previously won the opening game of the season in their previous two title defences.

While San Diego owed much to Dreyer's excellent finishes, they were also indebted to their goalkeeper Dos Santos, who made three saves and recorded his first career clean sheet on what was just his third start in a four-year MLS career.

This was not a game packed with chances - the Galaxy had only seven shots and San Diego managed nine - but the visitors did create the higher-quality opportunities, as reflected by their 1.9 expected goals, compared to LA's 0.78.