San Diego FC intends to take steps to discourage its fans from engaging in the homophobic chant that marred the Major League Soccer expansion club’s inaugural home match last weekend.

A common anti-gay chant from SDFC fans before a St. Louis City SC goal kick prompted a public address announcement.

The chants, which have been common in Mexican soccer and are widely considered homophobic, largely occurred in the game's final moments.

San Diego FC coach Mikey Varas and sporting director Tyler Heaps expressed disappointment after their club’s inaugural home match was marred in the second half by three occurrences of the homophobic chant frequently heard at the Mexican national team’s soccer matches.

The drumming started early. Nearly 90 minutes before the start of Saturday night’s match between San Diego FC and St. Louis City SC, fans lumbered down the supporters’ section to their seats behind Snapdragon Stadium’s north goal,