Exhibition match was first against a European club, first at Snapdragon Stadium
SAN DIEGO (July 27, 2023) – San Diego Loyal added another milestone as it continues to make a meaningful impact in the sport across the region. Loyal soccer fans came out to see its club host an international powerhouse in Borussia Dortmund Thursday night at Snapdragon Stadium.
It was the first time SD Loyal faced a world renowned club in its first-ever match from Snapdragon Stadium. Facing some of the top players in the Bundesliga, Germany’s top-flight league, the exhibition match was the first of Dortmund’s U.S. tour that will continue in Las Vegas and Chicago.
SD Loyal will switch gears to USL Championship play Sunday when it hosts Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Torero Stadium. It will be the first of five-straight home matches and its first since June 14 after playing its last four on the road.
On Thursday night, it was Dortmund who was quick to break the deadlock. The visitors took advantage of open space and kicked off the scoring with a goal by Julien Duranville two minutes into the match.
Duranville sent a shot from near the penalty spot into the left side netting of SD Loyal goalkeeper Koke Vegas. Duranville took a cross from Julian Ryerson, brought it down with his left foot before firing it in for the 1-0 lead.
SD Loyal responded with a series of scoring opportunities that included shots by Carlos Guzman, who made his SD Loyal debut, and Charlie Adams. Tumi Moshobane nearly scored on a point blank left-footed volley but the shot was blocked by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Dortmund responded with a counter attack that resulted in its second goal of the night. Youssoufa Moukoko took a quick pass and beat his defender in the penalty area. Vegas came off his line before Moukoko fired his shot into the net for the 2-0 lead.
While the first half score line may have favored Dortmund, SD Loyal showed its quality and gave the Europeans a worthy challenge.
Both teams came out full of substitutions in the second half. Sixteen minutes in, Dortmund legend Marco Reus increased the visitor’s lead to 3-0 when the midfielder bent a free kick to the lower left corner of the net. Thomas Meunier made it 4-0 with a quick shot off a cross by Thorgan Hazard a minute later. Dortmund added its fifth goal via a penalty kick converted by Sebastien Haller in the 68th minute before Paul Besong scored the final goal of the night in the 89th minute.
SD Loyal will now head into its league match against Colorado Springs Sunday as it sits in fifth place in the USL Championship Western Conference standings. Tickets to the match are on sale at sdloyal.com/tickets.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
BVB – Julien Duranville (Julian Ryerson), 2nd minute: Duranville took a cross from Julian Ryerson, brought it down with his left foot before sending in his shot. SD 0, BVB 1
BVB – Youssoufa Moukoko, 27th minute: Moukoko beat his mark on a breakaway and also beat Koke Vegas before firing a shot to extend the lead. SD 0, BVB 2
BVB – Marco Reus, 61st minute: Reus bent a free kick from about 30-yards to extend the lead. SD 0, BVB 3
BVB – Thomas Meunier (Thorgan Hazard), 62nd minute: Meunier sent a quick shot off a cross by Thorgan Hazard. SD 0, BVB 4
BVB – Sebastien Haller (Penalty), 68th minute: Haller converted a penalty kick to add to Dortmund’s scoring. SD 0, BVB 5
BVB – Paul Besong (Ole Pohlmann), 89th minute: Besong sent a shot between the legs of Duran Ferree for the final goal of the night. SD 0, BVB 6
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- SD Loyal played its first match against a European club.
- SD Loyal played at Snapdragon Stadium for the first time.
- Carlos Guzman, Michael Chilaka and Enoch Mushagalusa make their SD Loyal debut.
