In a breakthrough performance that will have San Diego FC fans buzzing, 20-year-old David Vazquez announced his arrival in style, scoring the first two goals of his professional career while adding an assist to lead his team to a dominant 5-0 victory over Austin FC on Wednesday night.
Vazquez opened the scoring in just the 8th minute, giving San Diego an early lead that set the tone for the evening. He then capped off the first-half scoring in stoppage time, putting an exclamation point on what was already shaping up to be a special night for the young star.
Behind him, 19-year-old rookie goalkeeper Duran Ferree stood tall, recording three saves for his fourth clean sheet in 12 starts. The youthful energy was infectious throughout the squad.
Marcus Ingvartsen was the architect of the early attack, providing assists on the first two goals before getting on the scoresheet himself in the 79th minute. His goal, his ninth of the season, made it 4-0 and extended his impressive run to 11 goals in 21 league matches.
Anders Dreyer kept the pressure on, scoring in the 17th minute for his sixth goal of the campaign before turning provider for a moment of magic. In the 54th minute, 19-year-old Pedro Soma scored his first career goal in his 12th appearance—a dazzling finish that made it 3-0 and showcased the depth of San Diego's young talent.
The victory snapped a frustrating 0-5-4 winless run for San Diego (4-5-4), who had been showing signs of life with recent draws against Western Conference powerhouses LAFC and the Seattle Sounders. Their last win came on March 7, a 1-0 road victory over Sporting Kansas City.
For Austin FC, the night was one to forget. Myrto Uzuni saw his three-match goal-scoring streak come to an end, while Christian Ramirez, who had scored in back-to-back matches, was kept off the scoresheet. The visitors were coming off a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Minnesota United but couldn't replicate that form on the road.
As the final whistle blew, the message was clear: San Diego FC's youth movement is alive and well, and nights like this suggest there's plenty more excitement to come.