Written by SDFC Dmitry
3/28/2025
Welcome back to another pre-game writeup for the highly anticipated match between SDFC and LAFC. The crowd will be rocking this Saturday at Snapdragon stadium as SDFC fans prepare for a big time game vs an LA team and LAFC fans will be coming down the 5 to see the new stadium, cheer on their team, and most importantly – have an excuse to visit our beautiful city. It is surely shaping up to be a banger of a game so as always, I am here to break it down. Let’s get into it:
SDFC
Coming off of a tough loss where we controlled most of the game in Austin, the team has made it a point this week to have a “bounce-back” mentality. When asked in media availability about how the team is feeling after the loss, head coach Mikey Varas alluded to the fact that the team is focusing on this week and training with an extra motivation factor of being able to prove to themselves and everyone else that they can be a team that bounces back after losses.
The good news is, the international break is over and SDFC will get key players back into the starting eleven. Anibal Godoy represented Panama in two matches last week where he played a crucial role for his home country while putting in a workload of 180 minutes total. He will have had a full week of recovery and practice with the San Diego team prior to his start against LA. His passion and leadership was certainly missed last game against Austin and he should slot back into the right side of the midfield, replacing the temporary starter – Alvarado.
Another key element to this team will be getting Paddy McNair back. He also put in a solid 180 minutes while captaining his native Northern Ireland team in their World Cup qualifier matches. Paddy is a central piece of the defensive line. A veteran who brings poise and leadership to the defense. Having Paddy back will most certainly push Pilcher or Bombino to the bench as the young duo did little to impress last game.
Predicted lineup:
It is difficult to predict a lineup for SDFC because it’s hard to know what Varas is thinking as he is still feeling out his team before truly solidifying all positions. Guys have been thrown in and out of the lineup as needed. While some proved themselves and earned a starting spot, like Valakari, some are still fighting for minutes. Competition for a starting role is a very good thing to have within a team. It means that you have many talented players who all deserve a starting spot and they only make each other better in training while trying to prove themselves.
I believe Valakari will start on the left wing again, despite that not being his natural position as he is more of a midfielder. Fact of the matter is, this lineup does not have a midfield spot for him at the moment so he will need to adjust to a different position within the system. Valakari will have to have an open mind when it comes to his positioning and most importantly, he will need to be able to learn fast in an unnatural position. Versus Austin FC, it seemed as though he was being pulled into the midfield a bit too much. This is a testament to how ATX was controlling the midfield but he will need to stay patient and make himself available on the wing if he is truly going to start in the same position again.
Tomas Angel wears the number 9 but he is yet to show his true talent in the poacher position. With the early injuries, he has had time to adjust and get playing minutes. The honeymoon phase is over and it is time for him to step up for the club. We will need him to be a lethal striker that creates and puts away chances in this game as that was missing from the last few games. SDFC has looked dangerous on multiple occasions while not capitalizing on those opportunities. Can he be the man we need so badly upfront? After all, Dreyer will not be able to do it on his own.
Mikey Varas has mentioned multiple times this week that Chucky will be available on the bench this weekend. This is huge news as the team has definitely missed his offensive creativity and veteran presence. I am thinking he will be getting anywhere from 30 to 20 minutes as a late sub. The key here will be to watch for Chucky’s fitness and his ability to move around on and off the ball. Hamstring injuries are dangerous in a sense that they can be easily re-aggravated. The idea of easing him back into game action is a cautious approach to getting him ready to be a full time starter again.
SDFC will focus on controlling the midfield while playing out of the back. It will once again be a possession-first type of game that will look to create chances on through balls and counter-attacks. The main thing up front will be utilizing Dreyer’s speed and finishing on chances created. SDFC is currently second overall in xG – a stat that measures expected goals to be scored. Meaning, that we are creating chances that are supposed to be goals but are not very good at finishing those chances. That will need to improve as we face yet another ex-MLS champion team.
LAFC
The other team from up north is currently sitting one spot above us in the Western standing at no.3. with 9 points, having won 3 and lost 2. LAFC is fighting their own internal battles with injuries as well. Superstars Carlos Vela and Olivier Giroud are both out with injuries. It remains to be seen if Olivier Giroud will get any playing time and if he does, it will most likely be a small amount of time, kind of like what is expected from Chucky.
Another thing worth mentioning is that LAFC have a high-profile quarter-final Concacaf Champions Cup match coming up the following Wednesday against Inter Miami. This has to be a big factor when planning lineups for Steve Cherundolo and it will surely benefit SDFC. My thought is some guys on LAFC will not see their full minutes they would otherwise play if it wasn’t for the CCC mid-week matchup.
LAFC Lineup
A player that will cause problems for the home team will be one to watch. He’s a 19-year-old Venezuelan phenom who’s had a couple of breakout games with a banger of a goal last week – David Martinez. Martinez is capable of dribbling past defenders with his amazing skill and footwork and finishing with power. Varas will need to devise a plan specifically for him to keep him at bay. I am thinking the speedy Willy will be man-marking with Mcvey or McNair helping as secondary.
Their forward Denis Bouanga, who has not scored yet, will look to get on the score sheet as the perennial Golden Boot contender is trying to find his form. Bouanga brings lots of speed and crafty runs that will need to be monitored closely.
LAFC will play a similar style that SDFC plays where they will try to play out of the back, possess the ball in the midfield, and bring high pressure to the opponent’s defensive line to try and force them into making a mistake. I believe this is what will make this game a very interesting one to watch. Both teams with similar styles, looking to capitalize on whoever makes a mistake first. It will not be easy to get the ball past the World Cup winner and a legend in the game – Hugo Lloris but as we know, no one is invincible.
Keys to the Game
SDFC will play in front of a raucous crowd so we will need to control our emotions and play a sound game of football. We cannot make mental mistakes that we paid for dearly in the last game. Possession in the midfield will be crucial to watch and the movement of the ball from one side of the field to the other in order to spread the LAFC tight midfield is a must. The good news is we get Godoy and McNair back, the team will surely rely on those guys to command the game. In addition to those notes, the guys in the attack will need to step up and finish chances because chances WILL come. Guys like Valakari, Dreyer, and most importantly – Tomas Angel, will all need to play their role in creating and finishing up front. If SDFC can manage that, I believe we will get the first 3 points at home and send the sold out Snapdragon Stadium into a frenzy.
I will be attending the game and am looking forward to it. I plan to be in the purple lot with all of the other die-hards preparing to cheer on our beloved Azul and Chrome. I wanted to take a second and let each and every one of you who has been supporting my blog know that I appreciate it and it has been such a fun time. I’d love to meet some of you so if you’d like to say what’s up, please send me a DM on Instagram @SDFCnation. As always, LFGSDFC!!!
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