Credit: SDFC
San Diego FC visited the San Jose Earthquakes for a game in the 2025 MLS regular season this Sunday, August 17. SDFC was coming off a 2-0 road victory against Sporting Kansas City and were looking to keep up that road momentum.
Mikey Varas only made one change from the lineup that was used against Kansas City. The one major change was Tomas Angel replacing Hirving Lozano due to an injury. Varas stated that this was just a precautionary decision before the start of the match.
The first half of the game ended scoreless and was a very contested game with neither team really giving much space to each other. It seemed like both teams were just looking for a miscue that had the potential to decide the game in that first half.
Aidan Harangi picked up an injury in the first half and had to be subbed out for Franco Negri in the 38th minute.
The second half was far more exciting than the first half with all of the goals of the game coming in the closing half. Mikey Varas immediately made a change at the start of the second half as Luca de la Torre came on for Tomas Angel.
Varas’ third substitution of the match came in the 64th minute when Marcus Ingvartsen replaced Anibal Godoy. The SDFC manager was going for an aggressive and offensive approach after a frustrating start to the match.
San Jose struck first in the game after a big miscue by goalkeeper CJ dos Santos. The San Diego goalkeeper completely slept on the play as he allowed Josef Martinez to sneak in and steal the ball and score.
The skill from Franco Negri, the finish from Marcus Ingvartsen. 🤌
What an equalizer for @sandiegofc! pic.twitter.com/DvhPwQCvTZ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 18, 2025
Varas made two more substitutions in the 75th minute as Pedro Soma and Emmanuel Boateng replaced Onni Valakari and David Vazquez. All of Varas’ changes made a tremendous impact on the game as Franco Negri and Marcus Ingvartsen linked up for San Diego’s first goal in the 81st minute.
Negri made a fantastic play on the left flank flicking the ball over a San Jose defender and then crossing the ball in for Ingvartsen. San Diego and Ingvartsen were not done after that as the crucial moment of the match came in the 84th minute.
Just. Like. That. 😳
Anders Dreyer and San Diego have turned this game around! 2-1. pic.twitter.com/tYIyBEjHdL
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 18, 2025
Ingvartsen sent a sharp through ball to Anders Dreyer at the halfway mark and the Danish all-star used his speed to get to the ball. Dreyer found himself in a very favorable position and finished the opportunity masterfully in front of the net.
Like several other times this season, SDFC really showcased some admirable resilience after falling 1-0. This result now puts San Diego on top of the general MLS table after 27 games played.
This victory also extends San Diego’s wing streak to three games in all competitions before returning home to face Portland this August 23.
Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.
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