San Diego FC may have fallen short in Leagues Cup 2025, but they showed no residual effects during Matchday 28.
The expansion club bounced back emphatically at Sporting Kansas City on Saturday evening, flexing their MLS Cup contender status with a 2-0 victory that required backline heroics, mental fortitude and brilliance from All-Star wingers Anders Dreyer and Chucky Lozano.
Postgame, head coach Mikey Varas praised his side's fighting spirit after their eighth road victory of the year.
“I think it's a credit to the guys, this road performance mentality, that we can go and win everywhere," said Varas.
Stars step up
Lozano gave the Chrome-and-Azul the lead after 23 minutes with an AT&T Goal of the Year contender, launching a curling shot from long range. It was the Mexican international's eighth goal of the season, and as is so often the case, Dreyer set him up.
The Designated Players have paced San Diego's inaugural season, combining for an incredible 45 goal contributions (20g/25a).
"Chucky knows that I will always look for him when I'm on the ball, because he's great going in behind," Dreyer said. " ... It was nice to see Chucky score again, and myself as well.”
Dreyer put the game to bed in the 70th minute, beating John Pulskamp with an opportunistic shot. The strike extended his lead atop the league's goal contributions chart (29) and moved him past LAFC legend Carlos Vela 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," remarked the Landon Donovan MLS MVP candidate. "It’s nice to help the team win with goals and an assist, and that's why I'm here.
"But like I said at the beginning of the season, for me, the most important thing is that we win games, and I don't care who scores."
Stout defense
As brilliant as San Diego's DP duo was, the backline was challenged as Sporting KC grew into the match. The hosts outshot the newcomers 22-6, but couldn't break down a resolute backline.
"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."
Varas specifically highlighted Manu Duah, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, who has deputized at center back and impressed with several strong performances in recent weeks.
“He stepped up great. He's making steps every single day, maturing in that position," San Diego's manager 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.”
Historic moments
With another three points, San Diego became the first-ever expansion team to win five straight road games.
The Western Conference leaders have defied all preseason expectations and are within two points of the Philadelphia Union for the Supporters' Shield lead. With 49 points and eight regular-season games remaining, they're also on pace to break LAFC's expansion points record (2018 season; 57 points).
SDFC will continue their pursuit of history when they visit the San Jose Earthquakes next weekend for Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire (7 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+).
