For the first time in two months, San Diego FC was playing a home match. These matches will be limited heading into the fall, so fans need to enjoy them as much as they can. SDFC was looking to improve their 3-3-3 home record ahead of their matchup against FC Dallas. Dallas remains one of the top teams in the Western Conference after finishing 7th in the conference last year and looking to repeat that success on their route toward a playoff spot. San Diego needs to secure some big points during their final 18 matches to even consider the playoffs in 2026.
Kickoff at Snapdragon Stadium occurred on a warm summer July day. Field conditions were far from ideal, as Snapdragon Stadium had hosted a concert the night before. FC Dallas started with possession in the opening seconds, but that was likely the only time it looked like Dallas wanted the ball. Dallas was comfortable playing a low block and waiting for a counter, while San Diego wanted full possession and control of the match.
Unlike San Diego’s last match in Colorado, the shooting for SDFC started early. San Diego took 12 total shots, put 5 on target, and logged 14 touches in the opposition’s box. On the other side, Dallas had two shots with none on target and recorded just 2 touches in the opposition’s box. A major opportunity came in the 16th minute when Chris McVey delivered a through ball to Marcus Ingvartsen in the final third. Ingvartsen dribbled the ball deep into the six-yard box before laying it off to Onni Valakari. Valakari had a clear opening, but his attempt was deflected by goalkeeper Daniel.
This was the second match in a row where Valakari was in close range and could not put the ball into the back of the net. The play was also significant because Daniel appeared to hyperextend his leg on the attempt, forcing him to be replaced by backup goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois. There were plenty of positive signs in the first half indicating this match would not mirror the performance in Colorado, and with several shots on target, San Diego aimed to break through after a scoreless first half.
To start the second half, San Diego kept their possession and tactical style intact. Sticking to their identity paid off quickly, as it did not take long to score off play out of the back. After a throw-in on the far side by FC Dallas in their own half, the ball was headed sequentially by two Dallas players until Manu Duah won the ball at midfield. Duah quickly headed the ball out to Kieran Sargeant, who played it back to goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos.
This initiated a buildup sequence under high pressure from FC Dallas, which included a risky pass near an open net by Chris McVey. However, this is a sequence SDFC is comfortable executing. The pass by McVey was recovered by Sargeant, and San Diego pushed up the field with a long pass from Sargeant to Valakari in the midfield.
Patient buildup followed as San Diego FC moved the ball across midfield on the near side of the pitch. San Diego searched for space behind FC Dallas, while Dallas dropped into a low block with nine players positioning themselves just outside the penalty box in front of Jeppe Tverskov. All it took was a moment of impatience from FC Dallas, who started moving forward as the ball was passed backward.
That movement brought defenders up the field and gave Alejandro Alvarado the space he needed to unleash a shot from outside the penalty box. The ball snuck into the far post for the first goal of Alvarado’s San Diego FC career. Alvarado executed an excellent cutback move to take out two Dallas players on the play before delivering the strike.
Taking shots from outside the box is not typically an SDFC trait, as they rank 26th in outside-the-box shots with 56. However, in terms of converting those attempts into goals this season, San Diego is tied for third alongside St. Louis City with 6, trailing only league leaders LAFC at 8 goals.
Now holding the lead at home with over 40 minutes remaining, San Diego looked to add a second goal and secure the victory. Minutes after the opening goal, Onni Valakari had another opportunity in open play when Anders Dreyer delivered a pass right to the 18-yard line, but Valakari’s shot hit the near post. San Diego recorded just one more shot on target, an attempt from Anders Dreyer in the 68th minute. Overall in the second half, San Diego logged 7 total shots, 3 on target, and 20 touches in the opposition’s box.
Despite controlling possession and the flow of the match, SDFC nearly surrendered the lead. Late in stoppage time, a corner kick went short to substitute Luca Bombino, who passed backward to Manu Duah. SDFC was attempting to maintain possession with only a couple of minutes remaining on the clock. Duah passed forward to Bombino, who returned the ball to Duah.
Duah began dribbling toward his own goal near midfield and delivered an errant pass intended for Aníbal Godoy. FC Dallas forward Logan Farrington intercepted the ball and charged toward the penalty box. Just as Farrington was preparing to strike, Duah recovered with a crucial tackle to deny the opportunity. Duah made up for his mistake with an exceptional recovery run into the penalty box to block the shot. The lead held, securing a home win and three points for San Diego FC.
San Diego FC looked like themselves again. The possession-based, build-from-the-back identity that brought great success in 2025 resurfaced in a strong overall performance. Jeppe Tverskov also returned to form, playing a heavy role with 190 touches, a 91% pass completion rate, and 34 passes into the final third. In Colorado, it was a different story for Tverskov, who recorded just 66 touches, an 85% pass completion rate, and 8 passes into the final third.
According to American Soccer Analysis, Tverskov also rated highly in Goals Added (G+) for this match alongside Anders Dreyer, Onni Valakari, and Marcus Ingvartsen. When those four are on the ball and contributing positively on the pitch, San Diego usually comes out on top. That level of execution will be essential if the club hopes to reach the playoffs in 2026.
In Other News
Andrés Reyes appears to be heading back to Colombia to rejoin his former club, Atlético Nacional. According to news reports out of Colombia, Reyes flew to Medellín to complete his medical exam, making the move essentially a done deal. An official announcement from both clubs is expected soon.
Reyes was originally acquired by the New York Red Bulls for $800,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) and played only forty-five minutes for San Diego FC, earning a red card against Charlotte FC. Following that match, Reyes suffered a season-ending injury and did not appear in the lineup or on the bench again for San Diego FC.
Moving Reyes off the roster could allow Gabriel Pirani to be officially activated, as a roster spot is needed for Pirani and new Designated Player Elias Achouri. Any compensation received for Reyes will partially go to the Red Bulls due to a sell-on clause included in the initial trade to San Diego FC.
Watch Party
Please come join us this Saturday August 1st for a watch party at Hopnonymous Brewing Company with the Riptides. Following the match we’ll go live with a Chromaniacs post game show.
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