Enemy Scouting Report: San Diego FC
(image via San Diego FC)
After a 1-0 win in Orlando, the Houston Dynamo return back home tomorrow to look for their first three-game winning streak in over two years as they take on San Diego FC. Here’s what you need to know ahead of tomorrow’s midweek matchup.
The games have started coming thick and fast for the Dynamo, who will be playing seven games just this month, including three midweek games. Last season, the Dynamo had a record of 4W-5L-0D in midweek games.
San Diego FC started the season looking like contenders in both MLS and the CONCACAF Champions Cup, winning their opening three MLS games and knocking out Mexican giants Pumas in the CCC. However, San Diego has been on a poor run of form as of late, losing 4-0 to Toluca to end their CCL run, and going winless in their last five MLS games. That run started with high scoring draws at Dallas and against Salt Lake, but has gotten worse with three straight losses against San Jose, Minnesota and Salt Lake in their last three games.
In that three match stretch, San Diego has conceded nine goals and scored just three themselves. In each of those games, San Diego has controlled over 50% of possession but their offense has only created 1.31 xG/90, while their defense has conceded 20 shots per game at 3.05 xGA/90.
The Dynamo will be looking to punish this San Diego team on the break and are comfortable off the ball. Houston have not had a game over 50% possession and averaging just 42.7% this MLS season (28th in MLS). San Diego average 62.7% (highest in MLS).
Key Players
Anders Dreyer
Dreyer has been one of the best players in MLS since his arrival last year. In just 39 games, he has scored 23 goals and tallied 17 assists in MLS last season, which made him second in goals + assists (40), behind just Lionel Messi. Dreyer was a longtime FC Midtjylland player alongside Dynamo center back Erik Sviatchenko. They played 89 games together as teammates, and have the chance play against each other for the first time in this game.
Jeppe Tverskov
Pasalic is a graduate of the prestigious Borussia Dortmund academy, and while the winger didn’t find success with the Dortmund first team, he has found his place in MLS since joining as a DP last season. He scored 15 goals and tallied six assists last year.
Head Coach
Mikey Varas
The only head coach in San Diego FC’s short history, Mikey Varas was a part of the coaching staff at FC Dallas from 2019 to 2021 before leaving to join the USMNT setup. He briefly served as the interim manager after Gregg Berhalter was fired. In his first season as head coach last year, Varas led San Diego to first in the Western Conference with a possession based style of play. The Dynamo had two exciting games against San Diego last year, winning 4-3 at San Diego off a 90+10th minute Ezequiel Ponce winner in arguably the game of the season. Houston lost 4-2 at home to officially end the Dynamo’s playoff chances.
Last Five Matches
March 18 - Toluca 4-0 San Diego (CCC)
March 22 - San Diego 2-2 Salt Lake
April 4 - San Jose 3-0 San Diego
April 11 - San Diego 1-2 Minnesta
April 18 - Salt Lake 4-2 San Diego
Last Match Staring XI (from Sofascore)
Here’s how San Diego lined up for their last MLS game, a 4-2 loss at Real Salt Lake.
2026 Roster
Goalkeepers: Duran Ferree, Pablo Sisniega, CJ Dos Santos
Defenders: Luca Bombino, Manu Duah, Wilson Eisner, Willy Kumado, Christopher McVey, Ian Pilcher, Andres Reyes, Kieran Sargeant, Osvald Soe, Oscar Verhoeven
Midfielders: Alejandro Alvarado, Emmanuel Boateng, Anders Dreyer, Bryce Duke, Anibal Godoy, Hirving Lozano, Pedro Soma, Jeppe Tverskov, Onni Valakari, David Vazquez
Forwards: Marcus Ingvartsen, Alex Mighten, Lewis Morgan, Amahl Pellegrino, Anisse Saidi, Bryan Zamble