San Diego — Two of the three San Diego natives scored last Saturday when San Diego FC beat Austin FC 2-0. The player that didn’t score? Austin’s top goal scorer – Brandon Vasquez, who was held to two shots and only completed eight passes before being subbed off in the 72nd minute.
Before breaking the deadlock, San Diego delivered a commanding performance, reminiscent of their outing in Seattle — a match where they controlled the run of play and dominated the stat sheet but ultimately came away empty-handed. Let’s dive in.
Another Dominating Performance
San Diego held Austin to a mere 0.25 xG (Expected Goals) and only two shots on target. The defense did their job while the team out possessed ATX 61% – 39%. The task of being strong in transition while holding on to the ball as much as possible was set by head coach Mikey Varas before the season began and it is paying dividents.
San Diego is leading the league in field tilt, showcasing an understanding of tactical principles. “Field tilt” is an advanced metric that measures the percentage of a team’s touches or passes in the attacking third compared to the opponent’s, providing insight into territorial dominance.
San Diego FC currently sits second in MLS in possession percentage, just behind Columbus, but it’s their field tilt dominance that truly tells the story. The numbers show that San Diego isn’t just holding the ball—they’re using it with intent, consistently pushing play into the attacking third and dictating the game on their terms.
A glance at the passing map reveals that San Diego made the most of their possession, distributing the ball evenly to both flanks. Nearly 40% of their passes were directed to each wing, showcasing a balanced and deliberate approach in stretching the field through their wide players.
They peppered Austin with passes into the middle of the penalty box, which resulted in finally breaking their defense in the 60th minute when Chucky made a dashing run and collected a long ball from McNair. Unselfishly, Chucky then slotted a pass into Luca de la Torre and the San Diego native calmly put a bending shot into the back of the net.
“This is my city, I love it very much”
Anders Dreyer added another assist to his stat book when he provided one of the most beautiful passes of the season. The Danish winger darted into the box from the right flank and delivered a slick no-look pass to substitute Milan Iloski, who wasted no time burying a shot into the corner to seal a 2-0 lead in second-half stoppage time.
Milan’s loan stay with SDFC is quickly coming to an end as his contract runs out at the end of June. With the return of Marcus Ingvartsen, Milan’s future is uncertain. When he was asked about his opinion on staying with the club and if that was an option, Milan did not rule it out, saying that was for his agent and the clubs to decide. In his brief spell with SDFC, Iloski has established himself as a sort of ‘Super Substitute’, scoring three goals off the bench.
Team Depth, the SDFC Way
San Diego sporting director Tyler Heaps emphasized that building the team’s depth remains an ongoing process. Rather than locking themselves into a strict timeline or chase salary cap constraints, the club plans to add players gradually, even after the season kicks off, allowing flexibility and strategic growth.
This strategy worked out well so far. Players like Verhoeven and Bombino have stepped up and filled big starting roles. After Ingvartsen’s injury, Iloski filled in nice as well. All three players signed after the inaugural match and contributed in a big way but the most surprising (in a good way) player is Oscar Verhoeven, who started his second game in a row and his third, overall.
New Kid on the Block
With Willy sidelined due to injury, head coach Mikey Varas made a deliberate decision to slot in Oscar Verhoeven at wing-back, opting for the steady presence over more seasoned options like Franco Negri and Jasper Löffelsend. Verhoeven’s style leans conservative—rarely taking on defenders or threading aggressive forward passes—but it’s clearly part of the plan.
Still settling into the system, he prioritizes clean play and defensive discipline, resulting in an impressive 87% overall pass accuracy, including a near-flawless 95% in San Diego’s own half. While Willy offers pace and attacking flair, Verhoeven provides a measured, reliable presence that anchors the back line.
Tverskov Out, Alvardo In
Tverskov missed his first game of the season due to yellow card accumulation. Alejandro Alvarado filled into the right midfield role while Anibal Godoy was presented with the captaining duties and slotted into the center midfield spot. In an incredible attempt at goal, Alvarado tried a bicycle kick that nearly missed the top crossbar. “I just closed my eyes and prayed”, said Alvarado after the match. Alvarado has been the go-to player for a fill-in role in the midfield. He’s improved in his confidence on the ball and looks much more relaxed in possession as comapred to the beginning of the season.
Not Again! Chucky’s Injury
Five minutes after providing the assist to de la Torre’s goal, Chucky was down on the grass grabbing at his hamstring. Yes, the same hamstring that he hurt in the beginning of the season that kept him out for four weeks. Once again, it was a non-contact injury, eerily on the same spot of the field where he went down the first time he injured his hamstring.
Credit: SDFC Nation
Credit: SDFC Nation
As unfortunate as the injury may be, for San Diego – it comes at a time when all teams are missing their star players to the June international duties with their respective countries. The timing of the injury may be beneficial to San Diego but to Chucky, it’s heartbreaking. Looking to prove that he’s still a player of the highest quality and a major asset to the national team, Chucky did all the things right on and off the pitch for San Diego – finally landing him an international call-up. The severity of his injury and a timetable for his absence has not yet been disclosed.
A Different Look for the Supporter Section
The north end of Snapdragon Stadium appeared noticeably emptier compared to previous matches. Three of the supporter groups: Barra 18, Chavos, and Daygo Boys held their own watch party as they navigate through the tough times following the fights that happened after the LA Galaxy game. All three SG’s are cooperating with the front office to assist in the investigation that led to the ban of 33 fans, both from Galaxy and San Diego.
Credit: SDFC Nation
As the night wore on, the supporters’ section gradually filled in, eventually unleashing the energy that culminated in a thunderous Viking Clap echoing throughout Snapdragon Stadium after the final whistle. Still, the noticeably slow arrival—and partial absence—of supporter groups sparked debate among fans.
Some believe the ongoing bans are justified, arguing that accountability is necessary and that actions have consequences. Others contend that punishing the fans won’t fix the issue, pointing instead to lapses in stadium security and calling for the front office to address internal failures.
Regardless of where fans stand, one truth remains clear: the presence and passion of the supporters are vital. Their energy fuels the team and transforms Snapdragon into a fortress. For San Diego to thrive at home, the full voice of the supporter section needs to be there—every match, every minute.
Important Month
Next, San Diego plays Club America in a friendly on Saturday, June 7th. The friendly offers a chance for players who don’t often see playing time, to get important game-speed minutes and showcase themselves in front of fans and coaches alike.
The next MLS competition will occur on June 14th away in Minnesota, followed by away at number one, Vancouver on June 25th. June shapes up as a crucial month for San Diego, with key matchups on the horizon that could significantly impact their push toward the top of the Western Conference standings.
Extra Time
I have some exciting news to share with you guys. Saturday marked the first time I was able to go to the game as a media member. Since I cover SDFC for East Village Times, I represent the publication in the press box. I had an amazing time and met so many cool individuals who contribute to covering the game and the team on a consistent basis.
I couldn’t have had this kind of an opportunity if it wasn’t for you guys and all of the love and support you’ve given me and my work. I’ve enjoyed meeting you guys at the tailgates, the games and online. This is only the beginning and I have so much more planned for my coverage of not only the team but the community.
I’ll be covering the game from inside the press box more often going forward so make sure you are following me on my socials to get the latest and greatest before, during and after matches.
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