SOCCER: David Vazquez's first 2 MLS goals help San Diego rout Austin

David Vazquez scored his first and second career MLS goals and provided an assist as San Diego FC secured a commanding 5-0 win over visiting Austin FC on Wednesday night.

Marcus Ingvartsen led the way with his team-leading ninth goal of the season and added two assists, while Anders Dreyer and Pedro Soma each contributed a goal and an assist for San Diego (4-5-4, 16 points).

The win snapped a nine-match MLS winless streak for San Diego and marked the club’s highest-scoring performance since a 5-0 victory over CF Montreal to open the season on February 21. The match also came at the start of a three-game home stretch leading into the World Cup break.

Goalkeeper Duran Ferree made three saves to record his and San Diego’s fourth clean sheet of the season, limiting Austin to only its second shutout loss. The Verde (3-5-5, 14 points) had previously played to a 0-0 draw at home against LAFC on March 21.

San Diego jumped to a 2-0 lead early in the match. In the eighth minute, Vazquez finished a well-orchestrated play that began with Luca Bombino’s angled pass from the right. Onni Valakari allowed the ball to roll to Ingvartsen, made a run into the box, and received a first-touch pass back. Valakari then sent a low cross through the box that Vazquez redirected into the net before an Austin defender could intervene.

Dreyer made it 2-0 in the 17th minute following a slick combination between Ingvartsen and Soma. Soma delivered a precise through ball into the penalty area, allowing Dreyer to race past the backline, cut onto his left foot, and curl a shot low inside the far post for his sixth goal of the season.

Soma extended the lead with a long-range strike off the inside of the right post in the 54th minute. Ingvartsen then finished off a cross in the 79th minute after a brilliant sequence involving Vazquez and Bombino. Vazquez completed his brace in first-half stoppage time of the second half during his 17th career MLS appearance and ninth start.

With this performance, San Diego FC not only broke its winless streak but also sent a strong message as it heads into the World Cup break.

—Field Level Media/Reuters