Anders Dreyer and Marcus Ingvartsen combined for goals and assists as San Diego FC maintained their winning momentum with a 2-0 home shutout against St. Louis City SC on Sunday. The match showcased Dreyer’s growing influence on the team’s offense early in the 2026 MLS season.
Early Goal Sets the Tone in a Dominant Performance
Dreyer opened the scoring as early as the third minute, converting a precise assist delivered by Ingvartsen, his fellow Dane. The partnership between the two players intensified after halftime, with Dreyer returning the favor by assisting Ingvartsen’s goal in the 54th minute, marking Ingvartsen’s second goal in as many matches.
Goalkeepers Provide Key Defensive Efforts
San Diego’s goalkeeper, Duran Ferree, contributed significantly by making three critical saves to preserve the clean sheet. Meanwhile, St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Burki, a two-time MLS All-Star and the 2023 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, also performed strongly, making four saves against repeated San Diego attacks.
Dreyer’s Rising Impact in His Second Season with San Diego
Dreyer, who now has a goal and four assists in four games across all competitions this season, continues to lead San Diego’s offensive charge. The 2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year, who was runner-up to Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi for league MVP honors after an impressive debut campaign, is showcasing consistent contributions.
Following two assists in last week’s 5-0 victory over Montreal, Dreyer wasted little time to notch his first league goal of 2026, continuing his strong start to the season.
Key Moments in the Match Unfolded Through Tactical Play
One notable play involved Onni Valakari advancing through the center and setting up Ingvartsen, who quickly assisted Dreyer. Dreyer’s precise left-footed shot found the far corner past Burki, marking him as the second-fastest player in MLS history to reach 20 combined goals and assists, behind only Messi.
Dreyer narrowly missed a second goal four minutes later when his right-footed attempt sailed over the crossbar.
St. Louis threatened in the first half, with Burki blocking a header from Valakari and another attempt by Ingvartsen, while a promising sequence in the 23rd minute saw Miguel Perez pass to Simon Becher, who failed to convert a chance on goal.
Roster Changes and Player Contributions Affect the Game’s Flow
St. Louis featured Miguel Perez in the starting lineup in place of Marcel Hartel, who was sidelined due to the birth of his second child. Hartel had contributed significantly in previous matches, including scoring off an assist from Becher during the season opener.
Second-Half Action and Defenses Tested
Both sides exchanged opportunities early in the second half before Ingvartsen doubled San Diego’s lead with a well-executed finish following Dreyer’s skillful setup. Dreyer’s feint left-foot shot tricked the St. Louis defense, creating space to feed Ingvartsen.
Burki continued to thwart San Diego’s attacks, notably blocking attempts by Anahl Pellegrino in the 68th and 74th minutes with timely interventions.
Late Attempts and Defensive Rescues Maintain Clean Sheet
In the 83rd minute, St. Louis nearly reduced the margin when Cedric Teuchert broke into the box and managed to slip the ball past Ferree, but Kieran Sargent’s clearance off the line denied a goal. San Diego’s defense and goalkeeper kept their composure to secure the shutout.
San Diego’s Impressive Home Record and Outlook
San Diego FC is now undefeated at home this season with a 3-0 record, including two clean sheets across competitions. The team has dominated opponents such as Pumas, CF Montreal, and St. Louis, outscoring them by a combined 11-1 margin. This strong start hints at a promising campaign ahead as the expansion club leverages the talents of players like Anders Dreyer and Marcus Ingvartsen.
