San Diego Loyal SC returned to USL Championship action in fine style Sunday with a 2-0 win at home against Colorado Springs.
The return to league play came after the Loyal closed out a four-match road stretch lasting more than a month, gaining seven points in the standings after going 2-1-1. They then had a 16-day layoff, though they hosted Borussia Dortmund, from Germany, for a Snapdragon Stadium friendly three days ago.
Joe Corona and Ronaldo Damus found the net upon the Loyal’s return to Torero Stadium. Corona, a Sweetwater High grad, helped his team to three more points in the Western Conference standings – the Loyal sit in fourth place – as it began a five-match home stand.
SD Loyal (9W-5L-6D, 33 points) has won three consecutive league matches for the first time this season with its last two wins against Switchbacks FC. San Diego beat them 5-0 on July 14.
In addition to Corona’s and Damus’ goals, goalkeeper Koke Vegas offered up a handful of impressive saves.
Corona opened the scoring Sunday with a right-footed blast from the right side of the penalty box for a 1-0 lead. It was Corona’s third goal of the season as he took a long cross from Blake Bodily. The shot grazed Joe Kuzminsky’s hand, but the goalkeeper had no chance to stop it.
The goal came in the first half at a time when SD Loyal was controlling possession and pressuring the visitors on its side, forcing six corner kicks.
Colorado Springs (9-11-2, 20 points) had one clear chance in the ninth minute when Maalique Foster sped up the right side into the penalty area, but a slide by Collin Martin ended the threat near the six-yard box.
Corona nearly scored again early in the second half as he sent a shot that Kuzminsky blocked at the last moment.
Colorado Springs moved its lines forward and created a pair of chances, but both shots were saved at point blank range by Vegas.
The goalkeeper, who enjoyed his fifth clean sheet of 2023, continued making saves, including one in the 72nd minute when he slid on a knee to block a shot by Romario Williams on a breakaway.
SD Loyal went on to maintain an orderly defense before Damus closed out the scoring in stoppage time. The Haitian striker put back his own shot after it was initially blocked by Kuzminsky. The score was his sixth of the season.
SD Loyal now has outscored Colorado Springs 13-2 all-time and remains unbeaten against the club in four meetings.
In addition, Carlos Guzman, Michael Chilaka and Enoch Mushagalusa made their SD Loyal debuts in USL Championship play.
The Loyal welcomes Orange County SC (9-9-4, 31 points) next, taking on their Interstate 5 rivals at 7 p.m. Saturday.
