The good news for San Diego FC fans is that the team is still undefeated at home. But the
bad news is that the team still hasn’t won at home, either.

For the second consecutive home match, SDFC’s game ended in a draw. This time, the team ended its contest 1-1 against the visiting Columbus Crew.

The Crew actually led at halftime; Columbus scored in the 12th minute. And in doing so, midfielder Maximilian Arfsten will forever be the answer to a trivia question — he
became the person to score a goal during a SDFC home game.

SDFC midfielder Onni Valakari headed a goal to tie the match 1-1 against Columbus Crew SC at Snapdragon Stadium March 15,2025. (Photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego)
SDFC midfielder Onni Valakari heads a goal to tie match at 1-1 against Columbus. (Photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego)

After 45 minutes, plus an additional two minutes of stoppage time during the first half, SDFC was not able to find the back of the net.

There were a number of close calls, including during the 38th and 39th minutes, when shots barely missed. And in the 53rd minute, the crowd erupted as San Diego scored, only to be let down moments later after the goal was ruled to be offside.

In Major League Soccer, a goal is considered offside if at the moment the ball is played, any
part of the attacking player’s head, body or feet is closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent.

During the second half, however, San Diego regained the mojo that it had exhibited earlier in the young season.

In the 68th minute, SDFC attacking midfielder Onni Valakari scored, becoming the first player in San Diego FC history to score a home goal.

“Just happy that I could convert,” Valakari, said following the game. “Now we focus on the
next (game).”

“We want to be a special team,” added Valakari, who wasn’t one of the team’s starting 11
during this match. “We want to be a team that fights for the championships.”

The Crew found itself at a disadvantage beginning in in the 60th minute when Columbus
defender Malte Amundsen received a red card – and was immediately ejected – for fouling San Diego right winger Anders Dreyer to deny him a goal-scoring opportunity.

San Diego, with a record of 2-0-2, 8 points, continues to defy the (low) expectations that are typical for expansion teams in sports by being competitive in its debut season.

It has now joined St. Louis City (5-0-0 in 2023) as the only expansion clubs in MLS history to go unbeaten through their first four games.

And the team has managed to do it without superstar winger Chucky Lozano, who did not play again. He has now missed two consecutive matches after suffering a hamstring injury during the second half of San Diego’s home debut on March 1.

Saturday’s game was also absent of the ugly homophobic chants that marred the first SDFC match at Snapdragon Stadium. The chant, which occurred when the opposing goalkeeper took a goal kick, was something that team ownership and club management specifically sought before and during the game to stamp out.

Prior to the match, head coach Mikey Varas, midfielder Anibal Godoy and CEO Tom Penn all addressed the crowd, asking for civility.

Additionally, the team posted messages around the stadium and fliers in every seat cup holder, reminding fans in both Spanish and English that discriminatory language would not be tolerated.

“Not here. Our club is for everyone,” saids the flier signed by Penn and Supporter
Union President Miguel Barajas. “No discriminatory goal kick chants.”

In addition, the number of security officers was reportedly doubled from the previous home match. The club said prior to the match that those caught chanting the slur could be ejected.

A few fans in the Supporters Section, located behind the north goal, brought and waved
rainbow flags in support of the LBGTQ+ community.

Next up, San Diego faces Austin FC on the road on March 23. Their next home game
is March 29, when they welcome Los Angeles FC.

Notes: The match ended in the 99th minute, including stoppage time … Among those in
attendance were Padres star rightfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and several teammates, including El Cajon native Joe Musgrove, infielder Luis Arráez, centerfielder Jackson Merrill and shortstop Xander Bogaerts. … Perhaps third baseman Manny Machado, a SDFC founding partner, was their host? He appeared at Snapdragon again, as he did at the club’s first home game.