Tag: San Diego FC

Away Days Part 4: A Bad Day in San Jose

Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan. By Saturday morning, as we headed out to the airport, Monica and I knew we weren’t going to our favorite taproom in Santa Clara for some pita points and great beer. By Sunday morning, we learned through a social media post that we could no longer go to our favorite cafe because they were closed for Easter Sunday. That just meant we had to go with Plan B for this weekend. We landed in San Jose roughly around 12 o’clock, just in time for lunch. We drove 30 miles north, away from San Jose, to Fieldwork for some roasted brussels sprouts and tried out the Hail Mary, a Detroit-style pizza topped with beer-braised chicken, cotija, mozzarella, garlic purée, calabrian chili sauce, and honey. Fieldwork was a delicious combination of food and beer and served as a solid second choice. The same was true for our second breakfast option. Cafe Rosalena describes itself as serving world-famous breakfast burritos. These burritos are massive in both length and weight. They pack egg, soyrizo, potato, cheese, and avocado into giant tortillas, and one is easily enough for two people. Again, Cafe Rosalena wasn’t our first choice, but the quality was still there.

I started to get a bad feeling about this match as soon as the MLS availability report came out on Friday afternoon. Listed on the report for San Diego were Alejandro Alvarado, Chris McVey, Amahl Pellegrino, Ian Pilcher, Andres Reyes, Kieran Sargeant, and Pablo Sisniega. We already knew Alvarado and Reyes would miss most of this season. McVey was out due to a red card in the last match. However, I was not expecting Pellegrino and Pilcher to both be out. Pilcher, who has split his time at center back and right back, could have been an option to play with McVey suspended. It made more sense once Mikey Varas talked during his media availability about Osvald Søe starting in place of McVey. San Diego FC didn’t have any other option. The same went for Lewis Morgan, who was available to talk on Thursday and looked as though he was starting the match on Saturday. With Pellegrino out with an injury, the reason Morgan was starting became clear. San Diego FC had to revert to their B plan, and it’s not as strong of an option. Prior to Saturday’s match, Morgan had only played over 60 minutes once, and it was unclear if he could give much more than that for this match. Meanwhile, Søe had only started one other match, and that was against FC Dallas where he did not look great. San Diego’s depth was being tested, and beyond the starters, the options on the bench did not look any better.

From the jump, the two players in the lineup due to injury and suspension cost San Diego the lead. After a free kick taken by Jeppe Tverskov in the 13th minute, a long kick was sent out to Lewis Morgan. Morgan had trouble controlling the ball and was eventually cornered by two San Jose players. Morgan started to dribble back towards the San Diego goal and sent a pass back to Osvald Søe. The pass was out of Søe’s reach and was intercepted by Preston Judd. Judd passed the ball forward to Niko Tsakiris, who sent the ball between the near post and goalkeeper Duran Ferree for the first goal. It was a great start for San Jose to be up 1-0 and a disaster-class in back-passing for San Diego. There was no reason for Morgan to pass the ball back; he was better off trying to force a throw-in while cornered on the near sideline. Søe did not look ready for the ball to be near him, and once Niko Tsakiris had it, Søe did nothing to try and stop him. Between San Jose’s first and second goal, San Diego had a few chances to equalize through corner kicks and the run of play, but they did not have a single shot on target during this period.

San Jose struck quickly again in the 28th minute after a foul on Ousseni Bouda caused by Osvald Søe. Jamar Ricketts kicked the ball quickly after the restart and sent a pass out to Preston Judd, who was heading downfield. This caught San Diego off guard. What followed was Manu Duah putting his hands on Judd’s shoulders in the penalty area, which caused a foul and awarded San Jose a penalty kick. Judd sold the foul once Duah had his hands on his shoulders and immediately went down. Some could describe that as a dive, but in this match, the referee awarded the kick as the action prevented a scoring opportunity. Once the penalty kick was awarded, there was a VAR check, not for the foul itself, but for a possible red card on Manu Duah. The referee confirmed the check and gave Duah a red card. This was Duah’s second red card of 2026, with the first coming against Toluca at home. For SDFC, this was the second consecutive MLS match with a red card, following Chris McVey’s in the previous match against Real Salt Lake. As a team, San Diego FC has received five red cards in their last five matches. Niko Tsakiris took the penalty and scored for San Jose. Both goals were Tsakiris’s first two of the season, and by this point, the match was essentially over. San Jose had been trying to corner San Diego with two players all night, and with the man advantage, they could continue doing so.

Just for good measure, San Jose added a third goal from Preston Judd’s foot to make the score 3-0 right before halftime. That goal gave Judd his third of the season. For San Diego FC, the first-half stats were not pretty, showing two total shots and only one shot on target. San Diego had five corner kicks but could not do much with them. In the second half, the stats did not improve; San Diego had two shots with zero on target and zero corners. SDFC had no real shot at coming back in this match. The dominance by San Jose really showed in their passes to the final third, where they had 125 total passes compared to San Diego’s 79. San Jose also completed 72% of their final third passes while San Diego had just 64.6% accuracy. Anders Dreyer led the match with 10 passes into the final third, but ideally, Dreyer should be the one receiving those passes to set him up with a shot. Dreyer had five touches in the opposition’s box with just one shot inside the box. Another player outside of Søe and Manu Duah who had a tough night was David Vazquez, who completed 7 out of 12 passes, won one ground duel, committed two fouls, and had one clearance in 40 minutes of play. After Duah received his red card, an attacking player had to be sacrificed, and that was Vazquez, who has shown promise against Liga MX teams but still needs to build consistency in MLS.

On Instagram, Kewlsocr commented on our last post asking what the incoming players have done to replace those who were transferred out. It is a good question and difficult to quantify, as players who arrived since the summer transfer window have seen limited action alongside Amahl Pellegrino. I’m going to use advanced numbers to try to quantify their contributions, despite the small sample size in 2026. In terms of goals added—a stat that quantifies on-ball contributions on attack or defense—only Bryan Zamble (0.18), Amahl Pellegrino (0.54), and Pedro Soma (0.02) have a positive net total. Currently, Osvald Søe is one of the worst players in the league in this metric with a -0.84, which is the ninth-lowest total in the league. All that means is that Søe is currently doing more to hurt the team than to help it. On the offensive side, Pellegrino (0.97), David Vazquez (0.37), and Bryan Zamble (0.12) have the highest expected goals of the group. Pellegrino (1.19), Sargeant (0.33), Soma (0.18), and Lewis Morgan (0.14) have shown value in expected assists. Pellegrino actually has the second-highest expected assists total on the team, trailing only Anders Dreyer (1.42). It is notable that Amahl Pellegrino has played a big part in this attack; Lewis Morgan and Bryan Zamble just need time to learn the system and integrate properly.

Player	Matches	Minutes Played	Net Goals Added	Expected Goals	Expected Assists
Amahl Pellegrino	5	395	0.54	0.90	1.19
Bryan Zamble	3	60	0.18	0.12	0.00
Pedro Soma	4	177	0.02	0.00	0.18
David Vazquez	5	245	-0.05	0.37	0.00
Bryce Duke	1	17	-0.05	0.00	0.00
Lewis Morgan	3	109	-0.09	0.07	0.14
Kieran Sargeant	3	295	-0.17	0.02	0.33
Wilson Eisner	2	98	-0.29	0.00	0.00
Osvald Soe	3	189	-0.84	0.08	0.00

In the midfield, it all depends on what you want to do tactically, as Pedro Soma and David Vazquez can be decent choices. Still, it would be nice to have one well-rounded midfielder to provide a boost, help send passes to the forwards, and track back to defend. The backfield is probably the most vulnerable area and must avoid injuries and suspensions at all costs. Osvald Søe may just need more time in training and away from the starting XI for a while, but the team may not have any other option but to play him given that Ian Pilcher’s injury status is unknown. Eisner and Sargeant are two young players you might also gamble on playing. There were times last season when San Diego FC fielded the youngest backline in league history, but there was a veteran goalkeeper helping assist those younger players. With McVey out on Saturday, SDFC tried to field a young backline with an even younger goalkeeper, and the lack of leadership and communication was evident. A young backline only works if there’s at least one veteran helping to communicate and ensuring everyone knows their place. On Saturday night in San Jose, the backline simply got shredded. Speaking of San Jose, the last time San Diego played there, when a young member of the backline like Aiden Hrangi had to come out, veteran Franco Negri was the one to get the call. Negri provided an assist in that match to Marcus Ingvartsen, who also came off the bench.

The reality is that a Plan B only works when there is enough quality to back it up. While Monica and I found that Fieldwork and Cafe Rosalena were more than capable of filling the void left by our favorite spots, San Diego FC’s current depth simply isn’t at that level yet. Watching a young backline and goalkeeper struggle with communication makes it clear that leadership isn’t something you can just substitute on the fly. I am holding out hope that once the summer window opens in July, the front office can bring in the reinforcements needed to turn this roster into a more complete unit. Until then, I’ll keep looking for those silver linings in the local taprooms, but I’d much rather see the team find a way to make their own Plan B a winning one on the pitch.

April 8, 2026

Matchday Preview: San Jose Earthquakes

A Full Circle Moment

Additional reading on some tips for San Jose and what is it like at Paypal Park

Away Days: San Jose Edition

After a week off due to the international break, San Diego FC returns to action with a significant road test against the San Jose Earthquakes. San Diego enters this fixture following back-to-back draws in league play, having recently navigated a dense stretch of seven matches within a single month. In contrast, San Jose has kicked off the season in impressive form with a 4-0-1 record. This hot start is particularly notable because the Earthquakes made several questionable roster decisions during the winter transfer window.

The San Jose Off-Season and Roster Turnover

The Earthquakes’ winter moves were characterized by the departure of three key offensive contributors who collectively accounted for 44 goal contributions in league play last season. Most notably, the club failed to activate the contract option for Cristian Espinoza, allowing a player who recorded 4 goals and 8 assists last year to enter free agency. Espinoza was a cornerstone of their attack, ranking fourth in MLS with 272 progressive passes. Over his seven-year tenure in San Jose, he amassed 38 goals and 67 assists. He has since signed with Nashville SC, where he has already produced 2 goals and 2 assists in his first five matches.

The roster overhaul continued with the departure of Josef Martinez, who contributed 14 goals and 2 assists last season. Furthermore, Cristian Arango was sent out on loan despite a productive year featuring 13 goals and 3 assists. San Jose now relies on internal growth and new additions to fill this massive statistical void.

Players Stepping Into the Spotlight

Preston Judd is one of the primary candidates expected to carry the scoring load. A former LA Galaxy II standout with 30 goals in that system, Judd earned more responsibility in 2025, starting 12 matches and recording 7 goals and 3 assists over 1,200 minutes. This season, he has already scored twice and performs well in advanced metrics; his 1.77 Net Goals added is nearly identical to Anders Dreyer’s 1.78, and his 2.61 xGoals ranks him 12th in the league. Judd clearly has an eye for the back of the net.

To replace Espinoza’s creative output, San Jose is leaning on homegrown talent Niko Tsakiris. Tsakiris currently leads all of MLS with 54 crosses—a major factor in San Jose leading the league as a team with 138. He is also tied for fourth in progressive passes with 40, ranks 12th in final third completed passes, and is second in the league in key passes with 14. So far, Tsakiris has successfully emulated the role Espinoza used to play for the club.

The most intriguing addition is German international Timo Werner, a speedy forward known for stretching backlines. Werner arrived in MLS following a high-profile career in Europe, including a prolific stint at RB Leipzig where he scored 113 goals and provided 40 assists across seven seasons. However, his recent form has been inconsistent. During a difficult loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur, he managed only 3 goals and 6 assists in a year and a half. His performance was publicly addressed by Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou, who stated: “I think when you’ve got 18-year-olds, it’s not acceptable to me…..I said that to Timo, he’s a senior international, a Germany international. In the moment we’re in right now, it’s not like we’ve got many, kind of, options”. After being phased out of the squad in London and being unwanted upon his return to Leipzig, Werner now looks to revitalize his career as a focal point of the San Jose attack.

Tactical Outlook and Match Readiness

San Diego FC faces a daunting task in breaking down a defense that has conceded only one goal all season. San Jose’s goalkeeper, Daniel, has maintained a 93.3 save percentage by stopping 14 of the 15 shots on target he has faced. While the Earthquakes have faced a league-low 15 shots on target, they will be tested by an SDFC squad that ranks among the league’s best in shot on target percentage.

Defensively, San Jose relies on heavy clearance numbers, ranking 8th in the league with 132. Benji Kikanovic is tied for second among all fullbacks with 19 recoveries. However, the Earthquakes will be without fullback DeJuan Jones as he recovers from Achilles surgery. San Diego should be expecting Vitor Costa, who subbed in for Jones in their last match against Vancouver Whitecaps, to play Left-Back.

San Diego will have most of their players back from break with one exception. Chris McVey is unavailable due to a red card received against Real Salt Lake. This clears the way for Osvald Søe to take the reins at center back. There is also some uncertainty surrounding the availability of Anders Dreyer, who recently played for the Danish National Team in a penalty shootout loss to Czechia. Dreyer was the hero in the last meeting between these two clubs in San Jose, scoring the second goal to secure the win, making his fitness a key storyline leading up to kickoff.

April 3, 2026
Back-To-Back Draws in League Play Before International Break

San Diego FC certainly had their hands full on Sunday as they faced off against a new and improved Real Salt Lake team for the first time in 2026. Coming off a grueling away loss in the high altitude of Toluca, SDFC was looking to regain their form and finish this stretch of league play strong before the international break. However, finding a rhythm was never going to be easy against this RSL side.

The match kicked off on a very warm Sunday afternoon, marking one of the few day games at Snapdragon Stadium. Because the stadium lacks shade, the sun will be directly on the players for the start of the match. RSL wasted no time making their mark, capitalizing on a misplaced long ball from Jeppe Tverskov around the 16th minute that gave possession away in their own half. RSL moved the ball through their backline and midfield to Sergi Solans, who then found Juan Sanabria out on the nearside. Sanabria’s quick cross into the penalty area met Solans for a header goal, marking the first time this season that San Diego FC has conceded a goal to open a match. For Solans, it was his second goal of the season.

Responding from the Set Piece

Playing from behind, San Diego was searching for an immediate answer. In the 26th minute, Onni Valakari was fouled just outside the area, and Anders Dreyer stepped up to take the resulting free kick on the nearside. Dreyer’s ball into the box was headed by an SDFC player and initially hit the goalkeeper’s face before falling to Marcus Ingvartsen. Though it was a weak kick that deflected off a couple of RSL players, the ball rolled in for the equalizer. That goal was Ingvartsen’s fourth of the season and San Diego’s fourth from a set-piece, which ties them for first in the league.

The remainder of the half was a back-and-forth affair, though the final few minutes belonged to RSL as they attempted to regain the lead before halftime. Manu Duah came up huge in the final seconds, recording a goal-line block by covering the back post and using his back heel to redirect the ball out of harm’s way. San Diego ended the half with 72% possession and 8 shots (3 on target), RSL was far more efficient. Despite having only 28% of the ball, RSL managed 10 shots—8 of which were inside the penalty box—with 15 touches in our box, demonstrating their intent to shoot whenever they could.

Taking the Lead

The second half began with RSL introducing the dynamic Diego Luna for Aiden Hezarkhani. Luna, who is still being eased back from a knee injury, had only played 20 minutes in their previous match against Austin FC. Despite the change, San Diego started on the front foot looking to take the lead. After another foul on Valakari, Tverskov showed great vision by quickly sending a long pass to Amahl Pellegrino while RSL was still trying to reset their defense. Pellegrino found Dreyer, who expertly chipped the ball between a defender and the keeper to give SDFC a 2-1 lead. It was a moment where SDFC completely took advantage of RSL’s lack of urgency. That was Dreyer’s third league goal and Pellegrino’s first assist of the year.

The match could have easily swung to 3-1 in the 60th minute when a shot from Luca Bombino hit the hand of Justen Glad. While the referee didn’t see it initially, VAR intervened for a review. Despite the replay showing the ball clearly deflecting off the hand, the official ruled that Glad was in a natural running motion at close range and was not intentionally attempting to block the ball. It was a huge call that did not go SDFC’s way.

The Equalizer

In the 63rd minute, Mikey Varas brought on Anibal Godoy for David Vazquez and Wilson Eisner for Oscar Verhoeven. RSL countered minutes later with Stijn Spierings and Victor Olatunji. Those RSL subs proved decisive in the 85th minute after RSL won a corner. Diego Luna delivered the kick, which was deflected by Duah before being recovered by Morgan Guilavogui. Guilavogui eventually sent a ball into the area that went between Duran Ferree and an RSL player, reaching the back post where Victor Olatunji kneed the ball in for the goal. Wilson Eisner was marking Olatunji but let him go through to the back post for the goal, Olatunji’s first of the season. To make matters worse, Chris McVey received his second yellow card in the 89th minute, marking his second consecutive match with a red card. This was the team’s 4th red card in 4 matches.

The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with SDFC holding 59% possession compared to RSL’s 41%. However, RSL outshot San Diego 21 to 15, with 8 shots on target. This looked like a team playing their fifth match in 22 days. The fatigue was evident early on, and while RSL found game-changing contributions from their bench—like Luna’s 5 key passes and Olatunji’s goal—San Diego simply didn’t have that same depth.

In San Diego’s five matches in 22 days, players like Valakari, Bombino, and Tverskov all played over 400 minutes each during this stretch, while Dreyer, Pellegrino, and McVey all played over 370. San Diego is a young squad that relies heavily on young players for depth during such stretches. Meanwhile, Bryan Zamblé remained on the roster for all five matches without seeing a single minute. If Zamblé isn’t viewed as a viable option to give Pellegrino a rest, a loan spell for Zamblé might be good to find some playing time. Champions Cup is over but the stretch of matches like the one we just saw isn’t over. With Leagues Cup in August and a brutal October run of seven matches in 29 days—the need for veteran reinforcements in the summer transfer window is becoming undeniably clear.

March 25, 2026
A Difficult Night in Toluca, Real Salt Lake Looms

Collective sigh. While it is never pleasant to discuss a loss—not just because they are downers to write about, but because of the explanation of what it could mean—it is important to provide information to help understand the situation. On Wednesday night, San Diego FC traveled to Mexico to face Toluca on their home turf. Situated at over 8,000 feet in elevation, the elements were always going to be a factor. San Diego entered the match with a 3-2 aggregate lead and needed either an outright win or a draw to advance. Neither happened, as Toluca secured an impressive 4-0 victory.

The Match

Toluca dominated from the start, boasting a 69% possession rate and 14 shots in the first half while completing 90% of their passes. The opening goal resulted from a blunder by young goalkeeper Duran Ferree, who attempted to force a pass into an area crowded with red Toluca shirts. Toluca easily pounced on the error to take the lead. San Diego had trouble creating chances or even stringing passes together, finishing the half with a 69% pass completion rate. SDFC displayed a noticeably heavy first touch and could not get the passes together to move the ball into the final third. Amahal Pellegrino recorded the only shot of the first half, which missed wide.

In the second half, holding both the lead and the aggregate tiebreaker, Toluca did not mind that San Diego had the ball. While San Diego’s possession rose to 56%, they managed only four shots with none on target. Meanwhile, Toluca continued to push ahead, scoring three goals in the second half and totaling 13 shots. The final stats showed a dominant 27 shots for Toluca with 12 on target, compared to just five shots and zero on target for San Diego. It was an embarrassing display for the attack-minded side of San Diego.

Toluca clearly wanted to embarrass this team after the 3-2 defeat the previous week, a match San Diego finished with only nine men on the pitch. The match looked like grown men going against teenagers, and it was not just a matter of size. The skill level of the Toluca players was on a different level with effortless dribbling and quick one-touch passing. Combined with the high altitude, it was a combination for disaster for an away team coming from sea level. San Diego can take this match as another learning lesson and should see the team on the other side as everything they should strive for. Becoming world-beaters in both MLS and CONCACAF is something San Diego can achieve in a few years, but the club needs to keep developing younger players and attract top talent.

Reflections

Afterwards, captain Jeppe Tverskov spoke with SDFC broadcaster and from Section 1904 Darren Smith and sounded frustrated with the result (Jeppe’s interview starts at 11:23). Tverskov noted “We need to be adjustable for games and tactics and we need to get … stuff in we can use … also for MLS and League’s Cup”. His comments may infer that the team could use some help. San Diego’s bench was thin following red cards to Marcus Ingvartsen and Manu Duah in the previous match. Of the players who came off the bench—Osvald Søe, David Vazquez, Wilson Eisner, Alex Mighten, and Anisse Saidi—only Eisner and Mighten are over the age of 21. Mikey Varas did not have great options to choose from off the bench when San Diego needed to turn the match around and stop the bleeding.

Hopefully, this match serves as a learning lesson for the front office, as depth is needed to potentially make a run in the playoffs and the Leagues Cup. The summer transfer window will be a great opportunity to bring on veteran players and players from other leagues to bolster the roster. San Diego may also potentially get back MLS veteran Andres Reyes in the second half of the year.

The one positive to take away is that there is still room for improvement for the second-year team and a chance to see where San Diego stacks up against the best in Mexico. The Champions Cup is the best competition CONCACAF has to offer, and it is a privilege to play in it. Many MLS teams have been around a long time and have never qualified, so for San Diego to play in it in their second year was amazing.

San Diego needs to shake off this tournament loss and get ready for league play. Real Salt Lake is next on Sunday afternoon. Last season, the teams played twice; the first match away was a 3-1 winner for San Diego with goals from Franco Negri, Anders Dreyer, and Marcus Ingvartsen. However, when playing RSL at home, Real Salt Lake won 3-1 with goals from Diego Luna and Sam Junqua. RSL narrowly made the playoffs last year but were eliminated in the Wild Card match by Portland Timbers.

Matchday Preview: Real Salt Lake

Over the off-season, Real Salt Lake retooled their roster to ensure a better chance at making a deep playoff run. They looked toward their own academy by adding Diego Rocio on a homegrown contract and further strengthened the squad by signing Sergi Solans from the MLS Super Draft. RSL also heavily invested in international talent, completing transfers for Lukas Engel from Middlesbrough, Stijn Spierings from Brøndby IF, Morgan Guilavogui from RC Lens, and Juan Manuel Sanabria from Atlético San Luis. So far, this revamped group has been on an impressive run; despite an initial 1-0 loss to Vancouver, they have secured three straight victories and currently occupy 6th place in the standings.

This is a very attack-minded team that prioritizes getting on the ball and shooting as often as possible. Currently, RSL ranks third in the league for total shots with 60. However, efficiency remains an area for improvement, as only 19 of those 60 shots have been on target, which ties them for 9th in the league. Their shot-on-target percentage of 31.7% actually sits 26th in the league, suggesting they are a volume-shooting side that relies on creating a high number of opportunities to eventually break through.

One of the primary threats I am watching is the 18-year-old wunderkind, Zavier Gozo. He is already knocking on the door for a senior US Men’s National Team call-up and has shown he can perform against SDFC. In his first start of the 2025 season against San Diego last April—a match RSL won—Gozo recorded 39 touches, completed 10 of 11 passes, and registered a shot on target. He is an incredibly well-rounded player who doesn’t just contribute offensively; in that same match, he recorded six tackles, two recoveries, and three clearances. He is a nightmare on the counter-attack because he can tackle, dribble, and shoot without needing to rely on a pass. Statistically, he is fourth in the league in progressive carries with 28, tied for third in final third take-ons with 11, and has already provided seven key passes.

The other major attacking threat is their newest acquisition, Morgan Guilavogui. He arrives from RC Lens in Ligue 1, where he scored one goal in this current season. He also brings experience from the Bundesliga with St. Pauli, where he managed seven goals and four assists last season, and from a prolific stint at Paris FC in Ligue 2 where he tallied 32 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. I see Guilavogui as an older version of Gozo but stationed on the left side. Like Gozo, he is a counter-attacking threat who likes to tackle and is never afraid to shoot. Both players currently share the team lead with 11 shots each. Guilavogui is particularly dangerous in his movement, leading the team with 5.21 shots per 90 minutes and recording 33 progressive receptions, nine of which have been inside the opposition’s penalty area.

San Diego will have their hands full with an attack-focused Real Salt Lake team, especially with Diego Luna returning from a knee injury. Luna played over 20 minutes in last week’s win over Austin FC. Meanwhile, San Diego will have six players going away to play for their national teams: Anders Dreyer, Onni Valakari, Anisse Saidi, Anibal Godoy, David Vazquez, and Luca Bombino. This could mean the team needs some rotation to keep players fresh. It is a difficult task as Real Salt Lake looks for their fourth win in a row.

March 20, 2026
The Points Are Shared in Dallas

San Diego FC headed out for their second consecutive away match of the regular season to face FC Dallas. With a critical Champions Cup matchup against Toluca looming on Wednesday night, SDFC prioritized player conservation and load management for the high-elevation fixture. Manager Mike Varas opted to rotate several regular starters, giving opportunities to players who had not seen significant minutes to start the 2026 season.

In a notable change at goalkeeper, Pablo Sisniega earned his first regular-season start over Duran Ferree, who appears set to start in Toluca. The backline featured Osvald Søe starting at center back in place of Chris McVey, joined by Ian Pilcher, Luca Bombino, and Manu Duah. In the midfield, Pedro Soma started for Jeppe Tverskov alongside Anibal Godoy and Onni Valakari. Up front, Alex Mighten and David Vazquez replaced Amahl Pellegrino and Anders Dreyer, while Marcus Ingvartsen returned as the central striker. Meanwhile, FC Dallas played without their primary aerial threat at center back, Osaze Urhoghide, who was sidelined with an injury.

A Lucky Start for SDFC

FC Dallas immediately viewed San Diego’s rotated lineup as an opportunity to press high, pushing their forwards toward the penalty area whenever the ball moved back to Sisniega. This pressure created an early scare when a ball from Manu Duah deflected off Ramiro Benetti toward the goalkeeper. Dallas managed three shots within the first 16 minutes before San Diego found their rhythm downfield.

The momentum shifted when Alex Mighten dribbled into the penalty area and attempted a shot-pass that was deflected by Shaq Moore. A closer look revealed a handball by Moore, and after a VAR check, San Diego was awarded a penalty. Onni Valakari successfully converted the kick into the right side of the net as Michael Collodi dove the wrong way, giving SDFC a 1-0 lead.

Despite more pressure from Dallas, San Diego moved downfield again in the 28th minute. Luca Bombino delivered a pass to David Vazquez in the penalty area, resulting in a tackle by Herman Johansson that was deemed to have prevented a clear scoring opportunity. This led to a second penalty, taken by Marcus Ingvartsen. Ingvartsen fired a powerful shot into the right side of the goal for his third score of the season. While SDFC held a 2-0 advantage and benefited from favorable calls, they had remarkably not yet recorded a single shot from open play.

Defensive Lapses and the Musa Response

The two-goal cushion eventually gave way due to defensive errors. While building out from the back, Pablo Sisniega passed to Osvald Søe, who became involved in a sequence of passes with Manu Duah. Søe was eventually surrounded by three Dallas players and dispossessed in the penalty area. Petar Musa’s initial shot was blocked by Sisniega, but Musa recovered the rebound to score.

The goal was the result of poor decision-making: Duah had open teammates downfield in Godoy and Bombino, while Søe failed to clear the ball out of play while under pressure. This was the first regular-season goal ever conceded by San Diego FC. At the half, SDFC led 2-1 with 65% possession, though they trailed Dallas in touches within the opposition box by a margin of 13 to 5.

Valakari Restores the Cushion

At the half, Mike Varas brought on Jeppe Tverskov for Pedro Soma and Oscar Verhoeven for Ian Pilcher. Within five minutes of the restart, SDFC found their third goal through a patient build-up that reflected their preferred style. Manu Duah passed back to Sisniega, who found Anibal Godoy; Godoy one-touched it back to Duah, who then found Valakari. After a great turn against a defender, Valakari dribbled toward the box and shifted the ball through Verhoeven, Vazquez, and Bombino.

Bombino’s attempted chip was blocked, but he won the subsequent header, deflecting the ball to Alex Mighten. Mighten drove toward the near post and sent an accurate pass to Valakari, who volleyed it home via a deflection from Nolan Morris. Valakari was credited with the goal—his second of the match and third of the season—to make it 3-1.

Stoppage Time Equalizer

The two-goal lead was short-lived as FC Dallas pushed back. Bernard Kamungo received a long pass on the far side and attempted to kick the ball over an onrushing Sisniega. Sisniega’s aggressive tackle resulted in a penalty, which Petar Musa converted to make it 3-2. San Diego then introduced Amahl Pellegrino, Anders Dreyer, and Chris McVey to the match.

For the rest of the match, SDFC struggled to get much going as Dallas effectively blocked passing lanes. In stoppage time, a cross-pitch pass from Manu Duah intended for Verhoeven fell short and was intercepted by Kamungo. Kamungo beat McVey, Valakari, and Tverskov on a drive into the penalty area before passing to Musa, who scored the equalizer. This marked the first hat trick ever scored against San Diego FC. Despite late aggressive shots from Verhoeven and Dreyer, the match ended in a 3-3 draw. San Diego again had a low number of touches in the penalty box at three while FC Dallas had 4.

Lessons Learned Heading to Toluca

San Diego FC did not play their best match of the season. It is understandable when players are rotated in for regular starters. Manu Duah specifically did not have a great game and may want to forget this one as a couple of his passes directly lead to a goal for the other team. Mistakes happen and it’s all about how you learn from them. We learned a little bit more about the goalkeeper battle and why Duran Ferree is the preferred choice of Mikey Varas over Pablo Sisniega. Sisniega also directly cost the team a goal with an aggressive tackle.

Hopefully San Diego can learn from these mistakes as they head over to Toluca. Notably, Toluca also tied their match on Saturday night against Atlas. Like San Diego, Toluca left points on the table; they scored in stoppage time for a 1-0 lead, but Atlas quickly responded for a 1-1 draw. San Diego will hopefully be better prepared for this upcoming battle and leave their defensive mistakes behind in Dallas.

March 16, 2026
San Diego FC: A Nine-Man Masterclass in the CONCACAF Champions Cup

Wednesday night marked a pivotal chapter in San Diego FC’s inaugural continental journey as they hosted Toluca FC, the back-to-back Liga MX champions, in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Facing a high-flying offense with a deep roster and a reputation for physical play, SDFC entered the match as underdogs. What followed was an incredible display of grit that saw the home side overcome two red cards to secure a hard-fought victory.

Early Adversity and a Man Disadvantage

The match intensity was immediate, though the FS2 broadcast did not pick up the action until the 4th minute. The tactical battle shifted violently in the 12th minute when Marcus Ingvartsen was shown a straight red card after a high kick intended to clear the ball from the penalty area struck Toluca’s Marcel Ruiz in the head. Because the foul occurred in the box, Toluca was awarded a penalty, which Jesus Gallardo converted just out of reach of goalkeeper Duran Ferree.

Resilience and the Vazquez Brace

Down to 10 men and trailing 1-0, SDFC had to be clinical with their chances. They found an equalizer in the 32nd minute after Luca Bombino pressed high from his left-back position, dispossessing a Toluca side that was playing a little too cute with the ball. This allowed Amahl Pellegrino to assist David Vazquez for the tying goal. While Toluca controlled 60% of the possession—a rarity for an SDFC team that prefers to dictate the tempo—San Diego stayed competitive by winning 19 ground duels at a 58% success rate.

San Diego started the second half with an immediate burst of energy. In the opening minute, David Vazquez secured a brace after a chaotic “pinball” sequence in the box involving shots from Bombino, Pellegrino, and Anders Dreyer. The ball eventually fell to an unmarked Vazquez, who put SDFC ahead 2-1. Minutes later, Dreyer extended the lead to 3-1 with a clinical strike from outside the penalty area.

A Heroic Defensive Stand with Nine Men

The challenge intensified late in the match as Toluca mounted heavy pressure with numerous shots from beyond the 18-yard mark. SDFC was reduced to just nine men after Manu Duah received a red card for using his arm to block a shot. Helinho converted the resulting penalty to make it 3-2, sparking a late onslaught from the Mexican giants during eight minutes of stoppage time. Despite the pressure, Toluca’s final three strikes all missed the target, allowing San Diego to hold on for an improbable victory.

Youthful Excellence Under Pressure

Several young players delivered standout performances despite officiating that could be described as atrocious. The 19-year-old David Vazquez recorded a memorable brace, while fellow teenager Duran Ferree made three saves and effectively served as a center-back sweeper-keeper. Luca Bombino was a Man of the Match contender, contributing two assists while balancing heavy defensive and attacking duties. Led by the steadying influence of captain Jeppe Tverskov, the team remained calm and secured the win.

Overall, this was a historic victory for the young club. Whether you watched this match at home or were in the stands, you will never forget the night SDFC went down 2 Men and beat the Champions of Liga MX. San Diego FC is now up a goal as they head to Toluca next week. Tough decisions will be made by Mikey Varas and company on how they want to play their next match at FC Dallas. For a team that wants to win many trophies, they may want to prioritize Champions Cup matches when they’re in a great position to advance in the tournament.

Strategic Rotation and the FC Dallas Match

Before the second leg in Mexico, San Diego faces FC Dallas this Saturday. History favors SDFC, who won both meetings last season, including a 3-2 victory in Dallas featuring a stoppage-time winner from Tomas Angel.

This season, FC Dallas has seen mixed results in three matches: a 3-2 win against Toronto, a 0-0 draw with Nashville, and a 0-1 loss to LAFC. Dallas averages 44.3% possession and a 28.6% shot-on-target rate. Because their roster remains largely unchanged from last season, SDFC knows what to expect. Given the high stakes of the upcoming Champions Cup match, it may be wise for SDFC to rotate the squad, giving playing time to those who haven’t seen the pitch much to prioritize the battle in Toluca.

Looking Ahead to La Bombonera

The job remains unfinished as SDFC prepares for the second leg next Wednesday at Estadio Nemesio Diez, also known as “La Bombonera”. The stadium sits at a daunting altitude of 8,750 feet, one of the highest in North American sports. San Diego will be without the suspended Ingvartsen and Duah, though they will welcome back Anibal Godoy following his yellow card accumulation suspension. To advance, SDFC must protect their aggregate lead or secure vital away goals

March 13, 2026
San Diego FC Takes 3 Points in Kansas City; Eyes Mexican Giant Toluca FC Wednesday Night

San Diego FC successfully navigated their first road test of the regular season, securing a 1-0 victory against Sporting Kansas City. Entering the match, Sporting KC sat in last place in the Western Conference and was playing in their second home match of the season. While Sporting had shown promise in a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew, they were hampered by the absence of backline starters Ian Drake and Justin Reynolds. This forced the home side to call up second-team reinforcements Pierre Lurot, Zamir Loyo Reynaga, and Shane Donovan to the bench. San Diego remained consistent with their lineup, making only one change: Pedro Soma started over Anibal Godoy, a move likely intended to prepare for Wednesday’s match following Godoy’s yellow card accumulation in the Champions Cup.

Dominating Possession and Breaking the Deadlock

San Diego FC controlled the majority of possession early on, though they initially struggled to penetrate Sporting’s mid-to-low defensive block. The first shot of the match actually came from Sporting KC when Dejan Joveljic had an attempt blocked by Manu Duah. San Diego’s first significant chance arrived in the 21st minute as Onni Valakari’s shot was blocked by defender Ethan Bartlow. Ten minutes later, SDFC executed a quick transition through Manu Duah, Marcus Ingvartsen, and Anders Dreyer, resulting in an Amahl Pellegrino run that was stopped by a sliding Jansen Miller. In the 39th minute, Pellegrino missed another opportunity, firing a free kick pass from Anders Dreyer out wide and over the crossbar.

The breakthrough came shortly after a Sporting KC goal kick. Luca Bombino received a goal kick about midfield from Sporting KC. Bombino passed the ball to Onni Valakar who delivered a quick pass to Anders Dreyer. Dreyer fired a shot from just outside the penalty area to give San Diego a 1-0 lead. This marked Dreyer’s second consecutive match with a goal and third straight match with a goal contribution, while Valakari recorded his first assist of the season. Valakari nearly doubled the lead later in the half with a header saved by John Pulskamp. San Diego ended the half with 72% possession and five shots, while Sporting KC managed only three shots, including a low effort by Joveljic saved by Duran Ferree.

Second Half Pressure

San Diego continued to push for an insurance goal in the second half. Early opportunities saw Dreyer find Kieran Sargeant, who passed back centrally to Dreyer; Dreyer dummied the ball for Valakari, whose shot narrowly missed the post. Minutes later, Pulskamp denied another Dreyer attempt with a big save. In the 61st minute, Amahl Pellegrino appeared to score following a transition started by Marcus Ingvartsen and a precise pass from Pedro Soma. However, the goal was disallowed because Pellegrino unintentionally used his hand.

The match’s final minutes belonged to Duran Ferree as Sporting KC pressured the backline for an equalizer after the 86th minute. Ferree first denied Taylor Calheira in the 88th minute before making a crucial instinct-based save in stoppage time against an unmarked Stephen Afrifa. With the 1-0 win, San Diego FC has secured 9 points to start the year. Ferree earned his third consecutive clean sheet, becoming the second-youngest goalkeeper to record three shutouts in their first three starts. Additionally, SDFC extended their road regular-season unbeaten streak to eleven matches, having not lost since May 28, 2025.

Champions Cup: Toluca FC

San Diego now prepares for a Champions Cup clash against Toluca FC, the reigning Apertura and Clausura Champion of Liga MX. Toluca had a stellar 2025, topping the Clausura table with 37 points and a +19 goal differential before defeating Club America 2-0 on aggregate in the finals. They repeated this success in the Apertura, leading the league with a +25 goal differential and 43 goals, eventually beating UANL Tigres 9-8 on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw. Currently, Toluca sits second in the Clausura with the league’s best goal differential of +12 and 17 goals scored, which is tied for third-most in the league. Their roster is loaded with talent, including midfielders Jesus Angulo, Nicolas Castro, and Helinho, who each have 10 goal contributions since the start of the Apertura. They also boast Alexis Vega, who recorded 12 goals and 11 assists in his 2024-2025 campaign and has already tallied 4 goals and 9 assists since the Apertura began. Vega is coming back from injury and recently played on Sunday against Juarez for the final 10 minutes of the match.

However, their most formidable weapon is 6’2″ Joao Paulinho Dias Fernandes, who arrived from Liga Portugal after successful stints with Sporting CP. Paulinho joined Toluca for the 2024-2025 campaign and produced a massive 34 total goal contributions (26 goals, 8 assists). He has maintained that form into the current Apertura with 18 goals and 3 assists already. Toluca represents the toughest competition SDFC has ever faced, as they haven’t lost a match since the first leg of the Apertura final that was held back in December 2025. Although Toluca’s last appearance in the Champions Cup in 2024 ended in a first-round exit to Herediano—losing on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw—they enter this upcoming match as a far more formidable opponent. Since that early exit, they have transformed into a dominant force, evidenced by their back-to-back Liga MX titles and a current run where they haven’t lost a regular-season match since August 2025

March 10, 2026
Matchday Preview: Sporting KC

San Diego FC is preparing for their first field trip of the regular season as they head to Kansas City. They face a Sporting KC side that has earned only one point in two matches played. This slow start follows a difficult 2025 campaign in which Sporting KC allowed the most goals in the league while finishing dead last in the Western Conference. The club is currently navigating its first full season under new leadership since 2008, following the mutual departure of longtime head coach Peter Vermes in March 2025. Tasked with turning things around in Kansas City is new head coach Raphaël Wicky.

A New Head Coach for a Rebuild

Raphaël Wicky is a former Swiss midfielder who played for several notable clubs, including Sion, Werder Bremen, Atletico Madrid, Hamburger SV, and Chivas USA. After his playing career ended, Wicky transitioned into coaching in 2009 within various youth academies. His first senior head coaching position was with the Swiss Super League team FC Basel during the 2017-2018 season. Under his leadership, FC Basel finished 2nd in the league with the second-highest goal differential and qualified for the Champions League, though Wicky was dismissed after the season.

A year later, Wicky served as the head coach of the US Men’s National Team U-17 before accepting the head coaching job at the Chicago Fire in December 2019. In the shortened 2020 season, the Fire missed the playoffs with 23 points in 23 matches, and Wicky was eventually dismissed in September 2021 with the team finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference. He returned to Switzerland to coach BSC Young Boys, where his first season resulted in a league title with 74 points, a +52 goal differential, and a Swiss Cup victory. However, he was dismissed the following season due to poor performance. Wicky is now back in MLS for the first time since 2021, facing the massive undertaking of rebuilding Sporting KC.

Recent Form

Sporting KC began their season away against the San Jose Earthquakes, where Wicky deployed a starting XI in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Despite holding 56% possession, Kansas City managed only seven total shots with just one on target. San Jose capitalized on set pieces and open play, scoring twice before the end of the first half through Daniel Munie and Preston Judd. Munie added a third goal off a set piece in the 54th minute. Kansas City struggled defensively, giving San Jose eleven set-piece opportunities and allowing 17 total shots. Notably, San Jose achieved this dominant performance even without their newly acquired designated player, Timo Werner.

In their second match and home opener against the Columbus Crew, Sporting KC shifted to a 4-3-3 formation while maintaining a four-man backline. The Crew also featured a new manager following the off-season departure of Wilfried Nancy. Columbus took the lead in the 33rd minute through Wessam Abou Ali, but Sporting KC fought back in the second half. Dejan Joveljic, the team’s leading scorer from last season, scored twice on counter-attacks to give Sporting a 2-1 lead. However, Diego Rossi equalized for the Crew in the 82nd minute. The Crew nearly won the match in the 90th minute with a penalty kick, but goalkeeper John Pulskamp saved Abou Ali’s attempt to ensure the points were shared. In this match, Sporting had 42% possession and four shots on target.

Tactical Outlook and Strategy

Through two matches, Sporting KC has attempted the 5th most long passes in the league with 62, though they have only completed 39 of them. San Diego FC should expect Sporting to rely on these long passes and the counter-attack. Defensively, both San Jose and Columbus focused their attacks on the right side of the pitch to exploit Sporting’s young and inexperienced backline. Sporting has started Jayden Reid at left back and Wyatt Meyer at center back, who combined have only about 1,800 minutes of MLS experience. On the other side of the pitch, 17-year-old Ian James has started at both center back and right back.

San Diego FC simply needs to stick to their game plan of keeping possession, applying pressure up top, and winning second balls to be successful. Head Coach Mikey Varas may choose to keep the starting XI unchanged, as the team has back-to-back clean sheets and seven total goals. However, Varas must manage a heavy schedule with four other matches in the next 15 days, making it a potentially good time to rotate players for freshness. Ultimately, the team must balance the “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” philosophy with the need for squad rotation.

In Other News

For the second consecutive season, San Diego FC will participate in the Leagues Cup tournament, facing off against Club America, Club Tijuana, and Puebla FC. Club America is considered a historic giant of Mexican football, and SDFC will face them in Mexico at Estadio Banorte on a date to be determined. Additionally, San Diego will face Tijuana in a real competition for the first time on August 9th. While the two teams compete annually for the Baja Cup, this match offers a serious opportunity for regular starters to compete for the Leagues Cup trophy. San Diego FC will also host Puebla at home on August 12th

March 6, 2026
SDFC Defeats St. Louis City, Remains Undefeated at Home

SDFC Defeats St. Louis City, Remains Undefeated at Home

It was a picture-perfect Sunday night at Snapdragon Stadium as San Diego FC faced off against St. Louis City SC. St. Louis entered the match with a newly retooled roster, a fresh philosophy, and a new head coach. Meanwhile, San Diego was determined to maintain their winning ways at home. Exactly one year ago, these two teams fought to a 0-0 draw, and a year later, fans were eager to finally see some scoring.

Lineup Continuity

Surprisingly, San Diego’s starting lineup remained unchanged from the previous week. This meant 18-year-old Duran Ferree earned his second consecutive start at goalkeeper. Ferree initially stepped in last week due to Sisniega’s red card at the end of last season and CJ Dos Santos not being at 100%. While Ferree wasn’t heavily challenged by CF Montreal in his first start, making two saves on six total shots, he remained in the net this week as Sisniega appeared to be sidelined by illness. Ferree received a boost before kickoff because St. Louis City’s star player, Marcel Hartel, was absent from the roster due to paternity leave. As City SC’s best player and a goal-scorer the previous week, Hartel’s absence heavily favored San Diego.

A Fast Start

The scoring began almost immediately when San Diego scored just three minutes into the match. After St. Louis lost possession in the midfield, the ball moved through Chris McVey, Jeppe Tverskov, and Anders Dreyer. Following a deflection off Anibal Godoy, Tverskov found an unmarked Onni Valakari at midfield. As Valakari drove downfield, the St. Louis defense focused on marking passing lanes rather than challenging him directly. Valakari eventually found Marcus Ingvartsen, who flicked the ball to Dreyer for a clinical volley into the net. This marked Ingvartsen’s second assist of the season, and with this goal, Dreyer became the second-fastest player in league history to reach 20 goals and 20 assists, achieving the feat in just 36 matches. He trails only Lionel Messi, who did it in 26 games, and surpassed Carlos Vela, who reached the milestone in 41 matches.

On BlueSky, @stlsoccernew.com had a great breakdown of the first goal. See below:

Let's look at what led to the Dryer goal in the 3rd minute last night – first, the center midfield had pushed up defensively, which created a pocket of space between the midfield and defensive line. When SD gained possession, Onni Valakari had acres of space to move the ball upfield
— STL Soccer News (@stlsoccernews.com) 2026-03-02T17:46:16.083Z

San Diego continued to press, but St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Bürki kept the match competitive. The former Borussia Dortmund standout made several impressive saves, including a 10th-minute header from Valakari and an 11th-minute left-footed strike from Ingvartsen. St. Louis struggled offensively, with their best chance coming in the 23rd minute when Simon Becher missed a tap-in off a Miguel Perez pass. This was likely the only moment the San Diego FC backline appeared vulnerable. By halftime, San Diego held 59% possession and a 3-0 advantage in shots on target.

Securing the Result

The second half mirrored the first, with Bürki forced into action early to save a Chris McVey header following an Amahl Pellegrino free kick. In the 54th minute, SDFC doubled their lead through a sequence that began with the backline playing out to the midfielders and eventually to Anders Dreyer. Dreyer exchanged passes with McVey and Tverskov before feeding Valakari. Dreyer regained possession, shrugged off two different challenges from St. Louis defenders, and slipped a pass to Ingvartsen. Ingvartsen finished the play to score in his second consecutive match. St. Louis’s failure to foul Dreyer to stop his momentum was a significant tactical lapse, as other teams often take the foul to set up a free kick rather than allowing him to reach the penalty area.

Back to @stlsoccernew.com on BlueSky, who also did a breakdown of the second goal below:

Let's take a look at SD's second goal on Sunday. CITY's defensive line is pretty structured, with 5 defenders behind the ball. Polvara steps to the ballcarrier (Dryer), but misses on the tackle and then fails to take a yellow to halt the play before it can turn dangerous – a veteran move you
— STL Soccer News (@stlsoccernews.com) 2026-03-03T19:59:25.436Z

Closing it Out

With the game under control, the rest of the match was about letting the kids play. In the 64th minute, Pedro Soma replaced Anibal Godoy. Later, in the 79th minute, Alex Mighten replaced Ingvartsen while newcomer Bryce Duke made his San Diego FC debut coming in for Onni Valakari. Finally, in the 89th minute, Ian Pilcher and Bryan Zamble entered for Manu Duah and Amahl Pellegrino. The match ended in a 2-0 victory for San Diego, who dominated the statistics with 65% possession and 6 shots on target. Ingvartsen led the team with 7 touches in the opposition box and 2 key passes, while Manu Duah and Jeppe Tverskov anchored the defense with 9 recoveries each.

Looking Ahead

San Diego has gotten off to a great start to the 2026 season. In two regular-season matches, they have two clean sheets and have outscored their opponents 7-0. Across three home matches this year, they have outscored opponents 11-1. As the team prepares for its first away match against Sporting KC this Saturday, the Danish connection of Dreyer and Ingvartsen looks like it will be a major storyline for the season

March 3, 2026
Matchday Preview: St. Louis City SC

After a year defined by disappointment, St. Louis City SC is attempting to find a new way to do things. It was a busy offseason for the club as they focused on a rebuild featuring a new Sporting Director, a new Head Coach, and a retooled roster. While San Diego defeated St. Louis 2-1 in their away match last season following a 0-0 draw in the home opener, San Diego is now looking to continue their home success by winning three games in a row at their home stadium. However, that goal will be a significant challenge against this new-looking St. Louis City squad.

New Leadership and Strategic Shift

In August of last year, St. Louis parted ways with Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel. Pfannenstiel was the club’s first-ever Sporting Director and had been with the organization since its early beginnings. Under his leadership, City SC was noted for a great expansion season in 2023, where they finished first in the Western Conference with 56 points. Since that expansion peak, however, St. Louis has struggled with back-to-back 12th and 13th-place finishes in the conference.

On November 3rd, the club announced Corey Wray as the newest Sporting Director. Wray is well known for his successful tenures with Toronto FC, Columbus Crew, and CF Montreal. He served as the assistant General Manager for the Crew during their 2023 MLS Cup victory and has been part of organizations that have won MLS Cups, Supporters’ Shields, and Canadian Championships. Having worked with Wilfried Nancy at the Crew, Wray witnessed the success of a heavy-possession, attacking-focused style and it appears that he wants St. Louis to adopt that as part of their new approach.

A month after his own arrival, Wray hired Yoann Damet, who had been part of the Columbus Crew coaching staff since 2023. Damet also brings experience from stints at the LA Galaxy, LA Galaxy II, the United States U-20 team, and FC Cincinnati. Although Damet was considered a possible replacement for Wilfried Nancy after Nancy moved to Celtic in December, he instead chose the opportunity to work with Wray on this new project in St. Louis. Fans are looking closely at Damet’s experience, particularly his work with the U-20 team, which makes him a strong candidate for an organization trying to retool its academy and develop younger players.

A Retooled Roster

Damet will navigate this season with a roster that has undergone significant changes. During the offseason, the club declined the options for Alfredo Morales, Henry Kessler, and Akil Watts, all of whom had played over 1,000 minutes last season. Furthermore, in January, leading scorer Joao Klauss, who had 10 goals for City SC last season, was traded to the LA Galaxy for $2.375 million in cash. One key returning player is the Norwegian Conrad Wallem, who played over 2,400 minutes last season and recorded one goal and two assists.

To bolster the squad, the club brought in 22-year-old Daniel Edelman via a trade from the New York Red Bulls, 28-year-old Rafael Santos on a free transfer from the Colorado Rapids, and Dante Polvara on a transfer from Aberdeen FC. All three of these players started in the recent match against Charlotte FC. Additionally, St. Louis acquired central defender Mamadou Mbacke Fall on a permanent transfer from Barcelona. Fall originally signed with LAFC in 2021 before being loaned to the Las Vegas Lights and later to Spain’s Villarreal and Barcelona Atletic. Now back in MLS, Fall could make his St. Louis debut against San Diego FC.

Results Against Charlotte FC

St. Louis City matched up against Charlotte FC last Saturday, and the team’s attacking intent was evident from the opening kickoff. In the first half alone, St. Louis controlled 63% of possession and recorded 10 shots with three on target, resulting in an xG of 0.75. The lopsided nature of the half was further highlighted by St. Louis completing 112 passes in the opposition’s half compared to only 53 for Charlotte.

The breakthrough came at the hour mark when Jaziel Orozco dispossessed Wilfried Zaha at midfield and quickly passed to Daniel Edelman. Edelman then sent a through ball past two Charlotte players to Simon Becher, who assisted Marcel Hartel for the match’s first goal. Hartel had a very strong overall performance, finishing with four shots on target, three touches in the opposition box, and a 90% pass completion rate.

However, the lead did not last long, as St. Louis lost possession during a long throw-in during the 73rd minute, allowing Charlotte to counter. Zaha exchanged passes with David Schnegg before finding space to pass to Pep Biel, who scored the equalizer. It appeared that Edelman took a step too far toward Zaha, which opened the space behind him for the scoring pass. St. Louis finished the match with a 1.72 xG, 52% possession, and 22 total shots, with 11 on target and 7 coming from outside the box. The team also excelled at regaining possession, recording 17 interceptions and winning 43 duels. Overall, the squad looked like a different, more proactive team than the passive side seen a year ago.

San Diego FC News and Extensions

In other league news, San Diego FC has also been active with contract extensions. Sporting Director Tyler Heaps, who has been an integral part of this second-year team, signed a three-and-a-half-year extension. Heaps has been tasked with finding players who fit the club’s system and has shown a willingness to move on from those who don’t work out. Key young acquisitions like Luca Bombino and Manu Duah have played a major role in the backline, while veteran leaders like Anibal Godoy and Jeppe Tverskov have made the club a force in the West. Despite this, fans still criticize Heaps for the handling of local player Milan Iloski and the question marks surrounding Chucky Lozano. Heaps is hoping that their replacements like Marcus Ingvartsen, Lewis Morgan, Amahl Pellegrino, and Bryan Zamble will justify his analytical approach.

The club also extended goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega, who played in 10 matches last season and started four playoff games. Sisniega recorded a 77.8% save percentage in 2025 and performed solidly in a playoff penalty shootout against Portland. His extension runs through June 2027 with a club option for the following season. With CJ Dos Santos and Duran Ferree also signed through 2027, San Diego has secured its entire goalkeeping group for at least the next season, fostering what appears to be a very healthy competition for the starting job

February 27, 2026