It was Fan Appreciation Night at Snapdragon Stadium as San Diego FC took on the Seattle Sounders on Saturday night. No matter the promos and giveaways San Diego FC were going to do on this night, the only way SDFC fans would feel appreciated is with a win. San Diego badly needed a win with time running out as they are trying to make the playoffs as a long shot. The Sounders were looking to earn three points of their own as they are in the front seat of a playoff spot in 7th place of the Western Conference. On both sides, this was going to be a chess match to really get the best of the other.
For the second consecutive match, San Diego had Pablo Sisniega at goal and Anibal Godoy starting as the defensive midfielder. Very similar lineup to last weekend against the Galaxy but with no Elias Achouri as he was out with an injury. The match started off well for SDFC as they were on the front foot and had an early shot by Anders Dreyer go high and wide of the mark as the ball ended up in the south stands. It was then a pretty healthy back and forth and the ball traveled up and down the field with not many shots by either team for the next 18 minutes.
At the 19th minute mark, the supporters section unveiled their TIFO for the match with other supporters in the building raising their scarves for the “Scarfs Up” moment that the team wanted to have around this time. The TIFO read “Siempre Leal,” translated as Always Loyal. San Diego Loyal that played in the USL played their final match on October 22nd, 2023, against Phoenix Rising in the conference quarterfinals. Now almost three years to the day, supporters that came over and never forgot their roots wanted to share a message. It’s a great reminder of the people that started this supporter section before any San Diego FC player ever kicked a ball. They’ve worked hard to make it a kick-ass supporter section and make it the best it can be. The fans in the supporter section, just like anyone else, pay for their tickets and will travel and see the team away. Anyone thinking otherwise and wanting the supporter sections split up because they got their feelings hurt or they just don’t understand supporter culture simply won’t understand the message. Nor do they want to understand the message. The message is simple: no matter what, the supporters will remain loyal through all the wins, losses, and draws. As long as this club remains, the supporters will be there.
Back in the first half, Anders Dreyer had the best shot at goal from either team in the 29th minute with a shot that hit the far post. But this half was the ultimate “let’s feel each other out” half. San Diego finished the half with 62% of possession, 7 total shots, none on target, and 11 touches in the opposition’s box. Seattle had 4 total shots, none on target, and 6 touches in the opposition’s box. It really looked like this was the best defensive half from San Diego we have seen in a while, with 12 duels won through the ground and air. What San Diego needed to figure out in the second half was how they were going to be able to get through Seattle’s low block. San Diego needed better chances for open shots, and they were not getting those opportunities.
Sadly, it didn’t take long for the Sounders to make their adjustments and get after San Diego FC. In the 50th minute, goalkeeper Andrew Thomas sent out a long goal kick to midfield. The second ball was won by Manu Duah, but he recklessly kicked the ball softly towards Alejandro Alvarado and Cristian Roldan. Dejan Joveljic recovered that second ball and was able to dribble just outside the penalty area for a shot, scoring from distance. That was Joveljic’s 5th goal as a member of the Sounders and 13th league goal this season. Joveljic had never scored against San Diego as a member of Sporting KC. The Sounders were now on top 1-0.
With this San Diego group, usually after one goal, another one follows. Just five minutes later, the Sounders were on the attack again. After a free kick, the Sounders passed the ball around the midfield. It was Jackson Ragen that found the opening along the near side. Ragen from midfield sent a long pass down the near side, right behind Kieran Sargeant and intended for Hassani Dotson. Dotson went 1v1 against Manu Duah and was able to get around him, sending in a low cross from the byline. Sisniega dove towards the ball and missed, which left a wide-open net for Sebastian Gomez, who was running towards goal. At the half, Gomez was substituted into the match for Jesus Ferreira. That was Gomez’s third goal of the season and Dotson’s first assist this season. San Diego FC was now down 2-0.
Even down by two, San Diego was able to catch some lucky breaks. The first came just a minute after the Sounders’ second goal. After the restart, San Diego was able to pass the ball around in the midfield. A deflected ball from a Sounders player was recovered by Pirani, who passed to Alvarado. Alvarado was dribbling centrally towards the final third, found Dreyer, and sent the ball forward. Dreyer reacted quickly to Alvarado’s pass with a backheel towards the penalty area where Amahl Pellegrino was heading. Pellegrino was chopped down and couldn’t get a shot off. There was a delay in play as VAR officials reviewed for a possible penalty. VAR had the head referee review the play, determining that #16 committed a reckless tackle in the penalty area. San Diego was awarded a penalty kick. Anders Dreyer is the designated penalty taker for this team, and as he usually does, went for a low shot to his left. Goalkeeper Thomas was all over it and saved the shot, but after the deflection, everyone raced toward the ricochet, which landed just a few feet away from the goal. It seemed like Dreyer, Bakambu, and Pirani all slid towards the ball to force it into the net, and from an official standpoint, Bakambu was awarded the goal. Now San Diego had some life with still 30 minutes left in the half.
After the goal, San Diego made some changes. Jeppe Tverskov came in for Alvarado, Marcus Ingvartsen came in for Pellegrino, and Onni Valakari came in for Godoy. Another change in the 72nd minute brought Sam Vines in for Kieran Sargeant. These changes kept the ship steady for the time being, but nothing was immediate or impactful. Lastly, David Mimbang came in for Gabriel Pirani.
It was announced that there were 8 minutes of stoppage time—which turned out to be just enough time to find the equalizer. After San Diego recovered an uncontested long goal kick from Seattle, Manu Duah began a series of passes, playing to Sam Vines on the near side. Vines passed back to Duah at midfield, who then switched play to the far side with a pass to Chris McVey. McVey sent a long cross into the penalty area, and Jeppe Tverskov won the header. Marcus Ingvartsen tried to recover the ball inside the area and was held and pulled down by Stuart Hawkins. This resulted in a foul inside the box and another penalty kick for San Diego. Cedric Bakambu took the penalty this time, placing his shot to his left and straight into the net. Bakambu now has 5 goals in 8 matches for San Diego FC. San Diego had leveled the score at two very late in the match.
After the restart, San Diego quickly recovered the ball and tried to secure all three points at home, aggressively pushing toward the final third but failing to get a shot off. A sense of urgency gripped the San Diego FC players, and in the final minute, Bakambu had a chance to seal the victory—if only he could have used his left foot. His right-footed shot was blocked, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
San Diego finished with 59% of possession, 13 total shots, 4 shots on target, and 27 touches in the opposition’s box. Seattle recorded 12 total shots, 3 on target, and 27 touches in the opposition’s box. Not only is Seattle’s goalkeeper tough, but their backline is as well, contributing 26 clearances all match. For San Diego, defensive contributions were highlighted by Chris McVey, who had 5 defensive actions, 6 recoveries, and 3 clearances.
San Diego keeps fighting in these matches even when they are losing something to play for. San Diego has come back to level the score in their last three matches. Earning a point after the 75th minute brings their total to 5 points earned from losing positions this season. Incredibly, this is also the 5th multi-goal match for San Diego in 6 games. Over the last 10 matches, San Diego has scored 18 goals, which ranks 9th in the league. For the first time in San Diego FC history, SDFC came back from a 0-2 deficit to equalize.
There are silver linings that most people can find about this team right now, though everyone wishes those things could have been said in the first half of the season. Now it seems too late as San Diego’s playoff hopes slip away. San Diego will face 2 tough away matches against Vancouver and St. Louis before returning home to face Sporting KC. Mathematically, San Diego can’t be eliminated until Saturday, but if they earn two wins on the road, they will still be in it.
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