San Diego FC Falls 2–1 to Austin FC in First-Ever Meeting at Q2 Stadium
Daniel Jefferson | March 23, 2025
AUSTIN, TX — On March 23, 2025, Austin FC welcomed MLS newcomers San Diego FC to Q2 Stadium for the first time and came out on top with a hard-fought 2–1 victory. The win handed San Diego their first loss in Major League Soccer and kept Austin unbeaten at home in the early part of the season.
Austin came out sharp, controlling tempo and creating opportunities from the first whistle. Just 10 minutes in, striker Brandon Vázquez opened his account with the club, capitalizing on a defensive error to slot home the opener. It was a confident finish that set the tone and ignited the crowd at Q2.
Nine minutes later, Jon Gallagher doubled the lead. After a quick restart from Owen Wolff caught San Diego off guard, Gallagher timed his run perfectly and buried a low shot into the far corner. The early 2–0 cushion gave Austin the breathing room they needed, but it was far from a comfortable night.
San Diego FC pulled one back in the 27th minute when Luca de la Torre found space at the top of the box and drilled a low shot past Brad Stuver. The goal was a turning point in the first half, shifting the momentum slightly as San Diego began to settle into the match.
The second half saw the visitors turn up the pressure. San Diego controlled more possession and found their rhythm in midfield, but Austin remained organized defensively. Bob Bradley’s side made attacking substitutions, bringing on fresh legs to stretch the game, yet Austin’s back line refused to break.
One of the biggest moments came in the 74th minute when Evan Conway slipped past the defense and forced a diving stop from Stuver. The rebound nearly led to a second goal, but Gallagher hustled back to block the follow-up. It was a gritty sequence that showcased Austin’s commitment on both ends of the field.
The crowd of over 20,000 at Q2 Stadium played their part as well. The energy never dropped, especially during the tense final 20 minutes. The fans fueled Austin through every tackle and clearance, creating a hostile environment that clearly challenged the expansion side.
Despite the loss, San Diego showed flashes of potential, with De la Torre and Ronaldo Damus causing trouble in wide areas. But the result was a reminder that Q2 remains one of the toughest places to play in MLS. Austin moved to nine points in the Western Conference standings, while San Diego held on to eight.
The early playoff race is already heating up, and this win could prove pivotal down the line. With momentum building heading into the next stretch of the season, Austin is showing signs of a team that’s finding its identity—and winning tough matches at home is a major part of that formula.