From the first whistle, Mikey Varas’ squad made it clear they weren’t just here to make up the numbers. Playing on the road against one of the league’s most stacked rosters, they didn’t flinch. They took control. Disciplined in defense, smart in attack, and ruthless when it counted.

As first impressions go, this was close to perfection. San Diego FC introduced itself to Major League Soccer Sunday night with a 2-0 road victory over the league’s most prestigious franchise, and nothing about the performance screamed fluke.