Credit: San Diego FC
Last Saturday’s win over Sporting Kansas City may not have been pretty, but it was effective. The stats painted a tale of two teams — one that should have scored, and one that took its chances. Sometimes, in soccer, that’s how it goes. San Diego FC is improving before our eyes. Head coach Mikey Varas has this squad looking more dangerous every week, finding ways to win matches they might have lost on paper. That speaks volumes about their attacking efficiency. They’re also unbeaten in five straight road matches — a new record for an MLS expansion team.
SDFC Win, Despite Mounting Injuries
It may not feel like it, but SDFC dominated possession against SKC to the tune of 58% – 42%. In a game where SKC outshot SDFC 21-5.
SKC simply couldn’t finish their chances. Not everything fell on Kansas City’s inability to finish their chances, though. Goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos proved worthy of a starting role, once again, when he came up with five crucial saves.
With Pablo Sisniega sidelined by a muscle injury, 18-year-old Duran Ferree — the club’s first-ever signing — took the backup spot on the bench after returning from a loan spell at FC Nordsjælland.
San Diego’s injury woes did not alleviate last week. A total of six players joined the injury list: Anisse Saidi, Marcus Ingvartsen, Oscar Verhoeven, Pablo Sisniega, Paddy McNair, and Willy Kumado. As a result, players like Aidan Harangi and David Vazquez saw playing time in the starting XI.
Defense Steps Up in Big Moments
Kansas City primarily sat in a mid-to-low block but mixed in moments of high pressing. San Diego’s trademark “play-out-of-the-back” approach showed occasional vulnerabilities, as SKC’s pressure forced turnovers in dangerous areas and generated shots on goal.
The passing map shows SKC stuck to its plan: control the midfield and probe San Diego’s defense. They combined short passes with well-timed runs in behind. San Diego’s young back line were exposed at times. They played flat and left many areas open for through balls. SKC’s forwards took advantage multiple times with passes over the top and through on the sides.
“I think defensively, the goal-line saves, guys stepping up and making plays, being firemen at the right moment,” lauded Varas. “I also think at the end of the game, just having all 11 players low and finding a way to close out a game where we had lost the momentum.”
It’s true. The defense, although at times shaky, did their part to not allow a goal in (with big help from CJ Dos Santos). A huge part of that was Manu Duah, who continues to be a force in the back and seemingly getting a little better with each game.
“He stepped up great. He’s making steps every single day, maturing in that position,” Varas said. “He just started playing in that position for the first time about a month ago, and he’s learning on the job at the first team level. So, he still has a long way to go to reach his full potential. But he’s making the right steps. We’re really proud of him.”
SKC v SDFC Passing Map
What Makes SDFC Dangerous?
San Diego FC continues to prove to the rest of the MLS that they are a dangerous team and a serious contender. Not only for the MLS Cup but also for the Supporter’s Shield. Despite the set backs of losing important players and having to play youngsters, Mikey Varas is able to bring out the most out of this squad by sticking to the team’s true identity.
Simply stated – they know who they are. They know the style of game they play. Each player knows their role and it’s very clear. What makes them dangerous is they keep getting better with each game. The more they play together, the more chemistry they build.
A big part of San Diego’s success relies on two players in particular. The DP’s. One of whom, just smashed Carlos Vela’s record for the most goal contributions for an expansion club in MLS history.
“I didn’t know that I passed Carlos Vela, but no, it’s nice,” said Anders Dreyer. “It’s nice to help the team win with goals and an assist, and that’s why I’m here.
The other? That would be Chucky Lozano. In an incredible display of an offensive player playing defense, Chucky slid in for a tackle that knocked the ball away from a SKC player. Then, as Dreyer collected the loose ball and passed it back to Chucky, he chipped the keeper from 30 yards out for a Gol of the Year contender.
𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨, 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙖 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧. 𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪. pic.twitter.com/krPZ3kdI8B
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) August 11, 2025
Chasing Greatness
As mentioned in the beginning of this article, San Diego FC became the first expansion team to win five straight road games. With 49 points and eight regular-season matches left, they’re on track to surpass LAFC’s expansion record of 57 points set in 2018. They shattered preseason expectations and now sit just two points behind the Philadelphia Union in the Supporters’ Shield race.
Based on their current 1.88 points per game rate, San Diego are on course for a 64-point season. That would make them the best expansion team ever. The chase for that title continues at San Jose this weekend, when San Diego takes on the Earthquakes for Sunday Night Soccer.
Stay tuned for that preview coming up later in the week.
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Dmitry Anisimov is a San Diego native who played soccer up to the college level when he represented the SDSU Men’s Club Soccer team. Growing up in San Diego, Dmitry is a fan of all the home teams but he specifically couldn’t wait until San Diego got an MLS team. Once that dream became reality, Dmitry married his love for writing and the game of soccer to portray a voice of the San Diego soccer community. There is a deep-rooted love of soccer culture in San Diego and Dmitry hopes to bring it to light through his pre and post-game coverage of all things San Diego FC.
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