San Diego FC falls to New York City FC in first-ever exhibition game – San Diego Union-Tribune
San Diego FC’s first-ever exhibition game kicked off at noon Saturday from Indio.
By 12:20 p.m., the Major League Soccer expansion franchise had its first highlight.
Star Chucky Lozano lofted a pass in front of the goal, and Paddy McNair leaped and headed it into the top-left corner of the net. The 19th-minute goal occurred directly in front of SDFC’s supporters section at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, providing the chrome-and-azul-clad die-hards a moment to remember.
The end result, a 3-1 loss to New York City FC, will be long forgotten by Feb. 23, when the team plays its first regular-season match against the LA Galaxy in Carson.
San Diego’s top international signee, Lozano is playing his first season in Major League Soccer. He flashed again in the 59th minute, assisting on a goal by San Diego’s Anibal Godoy that briefly tied the match 2-2. However, officials ruled SDFC was offside, nullifying the score.
Six minutes later, Alonso Martinez extended NYCFC’s lead to 3-1. Martinez finished with two goals and an assist. Monsef Bakrar scored New York City’s other goal just before halftime.
San Diego will play two more exhibitions in Indio as part of the Coachella Valley Invitational — on Wednesday against the Portland Timbers and Feb. 15 against the New York Red Bulls — before its inaugural regular-season match.
Originally Published:
