Historic: Onni Valakari scores San Diego FC's first home goal | OneFootball

By MLSsoccer staff

San Diego FC checked off another box of firsts in their 2025 MLS expansion season.

Midfielder Onni Valakari came off the bench Saturday night to score the club's first-ever goal at their home of Snapdragon Stadium, connecting a towering header off a Luca de la Torre corner kick. The 69th-minute equalizer salvaged a 1-1 draw against the Columbus Crew.

Goal: O. Valakari vs. CLB, 69'

Onni Valakari

Midfielder · San Diego Football Club

The result improved San Diego's record to 2W-0L-2D, joining St. Louis CITY SC (5W-0L-0D in 2023) as one of only two expansion clubs in MLS history to go undefeated through their first four games of a season.

Mikey Varas' side ended Matchday 4 tied for second place in the Western Conference along with St. Louis and the Colorado Rapids, behind only Vancouver Whitecaps FC. However, a first home win at Snapdragon Stadium still awaits.

Post-match, Valakari and Varas shared the same sentiment: glad to get their first home goal, but frustrated not to snag all three points.

"It's always a nice feeling to score, help the team, if it's by goals, if it's by assists, if it's by a tackle, preventing a goal," said Valakari. "Whatever it takes, I want to help the team. I would've been as happy if someone else had scored, so I think the main feeling is like a little disappointed, dropped two points at home. At home, we want to be a team that consistently gets three points."

Added Varas: "To be honest with you, and I think this is a testament to the work the boys have done, I have no emotions to [the goal] because I'm disappointed that we tied the game. I think if we would've won, I probably would feel a little bit more joy, but this ultimately feels like a disappointment for us."

After their Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire visit to Austin FC on Matchday 5 (4 pm ET | MLS Season Pass), San Diego return home on March 29 to host California rivals LAFC.