Credit: Cedric Jones (CedJay Photography)/EVT Sports
San Diego FC isn’t hard to prep for when it comes to game planning. After all, they don’t change who they are or the way they play for anyone. Their style got them to where they are. So why change now?
Well, for starters, you’re playing the same team for the fourth time in a row and for the fifth time this season. The common-sense mind would tell head coach Mikey Varas to change it up, surprise them with a new formation, a new tactic. We must be reminded, there is a reason we aren’t professional coaches.
To Adjust or to Sharpen?
Mikey Varas sticks to the plan. Instead of changing the style of play or formation, he doubles down. Moments of weakness within the squad are opportunities to sharpen up that part of the game and get even better at what they do. Those tiny adjustments make a big difference within a timeframe of a full regular season, and it shows.
SDFC had game two of the playoffs won until Portland threw all of their chips in and pressed high with everything they had for the last 15 minutes. Head coach Phil Neville instructed his players to push forward, leaving the Timbers exposed in the back. That urgency let SDFC get in behind multiple times, but they weren’t able to capitalize. Eventually, Neville’s gamble paid off.
Facing Elimination at Home
Sunday will mark the first time that San Diego FC faces an elimination game. There is a sense of a finality to it – a type of pressure SDFC players hadn’t had to deal with yet.
“We’re a team that thrives in these situations, we love these pressure moments, because we love rising to the occasion,” said Varas.
While SDFC is very good on the road, the home record hasn’t been great. The last time SDFC fell on the road before their loss in Portland last weekend was in May against Seattle. The pressure will definitely be on at Snapdragon in front of a sellout crowd, and San Diego FC will need to rise to the occasion, per Mikey, to prove to its fanbase that they can win at home in the most important match yet.
Player Updates
Chucky Lozano is expected to start this weekend as Varas fields his best XI in a do-or-die match. Varas confirmed this week that San Diego defender Luca Bombino was not dealing with an injury after coming off the field at Portland. Bombino was involved in a heavy tackle and then seemingly asked to be taken off after. Per Varas, Bombino was dealing with an ailment that he has fully recovered from and is feeling 100% ready to go on Sunday.
As for CJ Dos Santos, it’s positive news. Varas addressed the media on Thursday after training, saying Do Santos is recovering from a concussion and a broken cheekbone. The SDFC head coach made it a point to emphasize that from a human perspective, the team is all happy that Dos Santos avoided anything more serious than the injuries he sustained. The club will take his recovery day by day, but it’s unlikely he sees any more action this year, no matter how far the club goes in the playoffs.
Keys to the Game – SDFC
Varas expects his team to be highly focused, brave on the ball, and relentless in the attack on Sunday. To overcome a Timbers side that knows San Diego FC as well as San Diego knows them, execution in front of the goal will be key. While Amahl Pellegrino has recently found his form with his new club, it’s imperative that the goal contributions come from multiple players. San Diego must put in a full 90-minute performance, stay focused, and bring the intensity until the final whistle.
Keys to the Game – Portland
Undoubtedly, the Portland Timbers will be coming into Snapdragon Stadium full of confidence and newfound momentum in their sails. A win over the top team in the West surely showed Portland that they are capable of beating a team who they lost to three times in a row before their fourth meeting.
While momentum is often cited as a key factor in sports, execution ultimately determines outcomes. Portland’s struggles against San Diego FC have largely stemmed from their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. To upset one of the league’s top teams on the road, the Timbers will need to be clinical in front of goal and maintain an aggressive high press to force mistakes.
Portland is expected to lean into its physical, hard-nosed style—one that disrupts San Diego’s possession-oriented approach. In their last meeting, the Timbers committed 22 fouls to San Diego’s 15, a statistic that reflects their willingness to unsettle opponents through pressure and physicality. Winning the mental and physical battles could prove decisive for Portland.
All Eyes on Sunday
On Sunday, the pitch will be primed. The crowd will be roaring and ready to give their all for the club. The city will be on the edge of their seats as their first-year club goes into battle against a familiar foe – both fighting for their playoff lives.
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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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