San Diego faces defending champ Galaxy in inaugural match

San Diego FC will have no time to ease into their inaugural MLS campaign.

The expansion team will open against the Los Angeles Galaxy, the defending MLS Cup champions, on Sunday afternoon in Carson, Calif.

The league newcomers will get to see the Galaxy unfurl their league-record sixth championship banner following a somewhat surprising run to the title last season.

Los Angeles won't be at full strength, as star midfielder Riqui Puig is sidelined long term following knee surgery and forward Joseph Paintsil is out with a quad injury. But little drop-off is expected from the Galaxy.

Veteran Marco Reus will be the focus of the Galaxy's offense, and winger Gabriel Pec is set to take a huge jump forward this season. The Galaxy also added forward Christian Ramirez in a trade with the Columbus Crew, forward Matheus Nascimento on loan from Brazilian side Botafogo and Mathias Jorgensen, a Danish center back who has played for numerous teams in Europe, most recently for Belgian powerhouse Anderlecht.

The midfield will be anchored by Edwin Cerrillo, one of the league's best defensive-minded players at the position.

"I thought it was a good two weeks for us," Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said about the team's preseason camp and tournament. "A big part of it was getting guys' legs under them and fitness and getting to integrate some guys into our system. We mixed in guys, and guys were able to adapt inside of games. I know guys are ready to get started."

San Diego FC feature the talents of Mexican national team legend Hirving "Chucky" Lozano and Anders Dreyer, a Danish winger who was Jorgensen's teammate at Anderlecht last season.

The new club also includes winger Luca de la Torre, a San Diego native who has played on the U.S. men's national team, and Paddy McNair, a Northern Ireland international center back who has played for Manchester United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough in England.

Sure, there are questions -- and plenty of them -- about San Diego FC, as there are with any expansion team. But coach Mikey Varas likes his team and the progress it has made so far.

"We're focused on three buckets: making sure that we're healthy and fit as an expansion roster that's growing; make sure the game model style of plays is clear; and then make sure we develop a fighting team spirit amongst the team," Varas said.

"I think we've had a very successful preseason in terms of maximizing every second that we've had together and doing those three things."

--Field Level Media