San Diego FC Clinches Stoppage-Time Win Over LA Galaxy in High-Stakes Derby

Stoppage-Time Drama Lights Up Southern California Derby

The atmosphere at Snapdragon Stadium felt electric from the first whistle, with both San Diego FC and LA Galaxy throwing everything into their latest chapter of the Southern California derby. It looked like the match was headed for a stalemate until Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano stunned the crowd with a header deep into stoppage time, securing a 2-1 victory for San Diego FC. The goal didn’t just settle the latest rivalry encounter—it turned the Western Conference race on its head and put the rest of the league on notice.

LA Galaxy started quickly, showing why they’re the defending MLS Cup champions. They carved out an early lead and seemed comfortable, but it didn’t last long. San Diego’s response was sharp and focused. Midfielder Luca de la Torre, who’s rapidly building a reputation for intelligent runs into the box, coolly finished inside the area to bring San Diego level. It was de la Torre’s third goal of the season, and his calm finish set the tone for a team that’s not satisfied with simply hanging around in their debut year.

Late Heroics Spark Wild Celebrations

Even as Galaxy probed for a second, San Diego’s defense held strong, absorbing pressure and stepping up in crucial moments. The new franchise has quickly built up a tough, dynamic midfield, and it showed with relentless pressing and smart positioning. Anders Dreyer, known for his tireless work rate and vision, became the unsung hero in the final moments. In the fourth minute of added time, he fired a dangerous cross into the Galaxy box. The LA defense, tired and perhaps distracted, failed to deal with the delivery. Lozano, lurking in a pocket of space, leapt above the defense and guided his header beyond the goalkeeper—an exclamation point on a stunning late surge.

The stadium erupted. Fans who showed up hoping for a tense, hard-fought classic got more than their money’s worth. This was a game defined by pace, grit, and endless energy. End-to-end action meant neither set of supporters could relax, with both goalkeepers called into action multiple times.

If anyone doubted San Diego’s credentials this season, they’ll have a harder time now. With this result, San Diego not only climbs further up the Western Conference standings but also sweeps the season series against the current champions, outplaying Galaxy with resilience and big-match poise each time. For a club in its early days, that kind of confidence—and the dramatic flair to finish games in style—suggests they’re already thinking beyond just competing. They want to win, and they’ve proven they can do it when the pressure’s on.