San Diego FC produced a resilient and ruthless performance at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday night, defeating LA Galaxy 3-1 in Major League Soccer despite playing the final 40 minutes with 10 men.

Elias Achouri gave the hosts an early foothold with an 11th-minute goal, and San Diego carried that advantage into half-time after an energetic opening period. The home side were disciplined in their defensive work, even as LA Galaxy enjoyed more of the ball, finishing with 56.4 percent possession.

San Diego struck again shortly after the restart when Kieran Sargeant found the net in the 48th minute. The fixture appeared to be swinging firmly toward the hosts, but it took another turn two minutes later as midfielder Jeppe Tverskov was shown a red card in the 50th minute.

LA Galaxy responded quickly to their numerical advantage. Hirving Lozano pulled one back in the 55th minute, giving the visitors a route back into the contest and raising the pressure on a San Diego side now tasked with protecting a narrow lead.

Instead, San Diego found the decisive response. Substitute Amahl Pellegrino scored in the 70th minute to restore the two-goal margin and cap a composed team display. The hosts remained a threat in transition throughout, ending the match with 20 shots to Galaxy’s 17 and matching the visitors with seven shots on target.

Both sides won seven corners, but San Diego made more telling use of their attacking moments. Achouri’s early breakthrough, Sargeant’s fast start to the second half and Pellegrino’s clinching finish ensured the home support had plenty to celebrate.

The victory moves San Diego FC to an 8-6-8 record, while LA Galaxy drop to 6-8-9. San Diego return to action on Saturday, September 5, at home to Orlando City SC. LA Galaxy will host New England Revolution later that evening.

Goals

  • San Diego FC: Elias Achouri, 11′
  • San Diego FC: Kieran Sargeant, 48′
  • LA Galaxy: Hirving Lozano, 55′
  • San Diego FC: Amahl Pellegrino, 70′

Key moment

Tverskov’s 50th-minute red card could have changed the match, but San Diego answered Galaxy’s goal with Pellegrino’s 70th-minute finish to seal an impressive 3-1 win.