“Cleared away… final whistle! The first home win comes in thrilling fashion!!” was the call on the Apple TV broadcast as SDFC sealed the game and beat a team who many were expecting to win in San Diego. It didn’t come easy and the boys had to fight for 90 minutes but the team stuck to it’s core values, to the principles of their style of play, and it proved to be successful. So what exactly happened? How were LAFC able to come back and make the game competitive after being down 3-0? Is this truly going to be a new rivalry? I break it all down below, so as always – let’s get into it:
Pregame Antics
The hype for this game was building all week via coverage within the national media as well as on social media between fans. LAFC fans travel well when it comes to moving up and down the coast for a game, but specifically when it is only 2 hours away south. We were expecting them to show in numbers and they did. Gathering at the historic San Diego Old Town, the black and gold made their presence felt by beating drums, chanting songs, and lighting smoke bombs before the match. They then gathered outside of the stadium and made sure to get in early to sit in the two sections they had designated for them. I could not figure out how they were able to smuggle a confetti cannon into the stadium but props to them as it is harmless and all in good fun. Everyone can appreciate a bit of banter from the away fans and they definitely brought it all game long.
The SD supporters sections (and others) were once again having the time of their lives in the purple lot as the live Banda music was blasting and the tacos were sizzling. Everyone was having fun, meeting each other, seeing familiar faces, and dancing while cheering on our beloved club. If you have not yet visited the purple lot, please do yourself a favor and walk through the tents with the flags above them – I promise you will not be disappointed. I want to give a quick shoutout to the supporter groups that make the tailgating experience fun for everyone: USG- One Eight (nice meeting you guys, btw), CHAVOS, Locals, Riptides, Barra 18, Daygo Boys, 18th Battalion, and so many more – you guys are the real MVPs.
Varas Surprises with Adjusted Lineup
When the lineup came out, I was very glad to see one of my favorite players get the starting nod as Alex Mighten started on the left in the attack. In the back, Franco Negri and Jasper Loffelsend got the honors of playing wing backs replacing the youngsters Bombino and Pilcher, who did not impress last game. We were fortunate to get the cornerstone of our defense back as Paddy McNair reported back from international duty. The intensity of our midfield, Anibal Godoy, was also back in the starting lineup after representing his country and he would have a huge role to play in the outcome of this game.
The biggest surprise for me was seeing Valakari in the false 9 role. For those not familiar what a false 9 means, it is basically a center forward who has the freedom to come back and play an additional midfielder. Teams use this tactic to throw off the opposing defense into thinking that a center forward will only be in the CF position but get surprised when the team gains an additional advantage in the midfield by dropping the CF to help with the passing build-up of the attack or to throw another body into the defense. This genius tactical move by our Manager resulted in Valakari (who is a natural midfielder) netting a goal and earning an assist. Additionally, Varas was named the coach of Matchday 6 by MLS – well deserved!!
Los Angeles Football Club did not bring their two game-changer-type players in Olivier Giroud, who spent his career in Europe – playing for the French national team and Arsenal amongst other clubs and Jeremy Ebobisse, who was acquired from the SJ Earthquakes earlier this year. The two Frenchmen were out with injuries so LAFC looked to Dennis Bouanga, David Martinez, and Cengiz Under to lead the attack. The black and gold mirrored the 4-3-3 lineup that SDFC put out and we knew we were in for a fast-paced, end-to-end type of match. A real bright-spot in the black and gold lineup was between the posts. A World Cup champion with France, and a long-time great goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris. It wouldn’t be easy to score on one of the best but the game would prove otherwise.
Dominating the Half
SDFC dominated possession and created attacking opportunities for the first 40 minutes of the first half. The Chrome and Azul struck first in the 20th minute after Dreyer delivered a beautiful free kick in-swinger that Chris McVey got his head on and froze Lloris. The sold-out Snapdragon stadium went absolutely crazy. Many people don’t know this but McVey has a great ability to get his head on a cross from set pieces. He is tall and physical, the type of player defenders hate to deal with in the box during a cross. He will most-definitely get more goals that way in the future. Blue smoke filled the supporter section behind Lloris as the deafening crowd roared the team on.
A Gift from the Frenchman
Before long, the home team struck again. This time, in the 32nd minute from virtually the same spot as the first goal. Dreyer once again delivered a cross into the box that Lloris was expecting this time. He chose to be aggressive the second time around and came out to grab the ball in the air only to fumble it as he hit the ground. Valakari’s eyes lit up as he was in the right spot at the right time – something a true number 9 striker preys on. He quickly slotted the ball home and the good guys were up 2-0 on an LAFC team that looked stifled early.
Tres-a-Cero
Only 8 minutes have passed since taking a 2-0 lead when Valakari and Dreyer combined with great passing in the visitors half. Dreyer saw a overlapping Loffelsend make a run on the wing as he artfully painted a realistic picture of Mikey Varas’ aggressive style of attacking play where a wing back is expected to make full-field runs in order to crowd the offensive push. Dreyer quickly sent a through ball and Jasper slotted in a low cross that Valakri got a toe on. It was just enough to re-direct the ball slightly and fall on the foot of a streaking Mighten, who carefully placed a one-time shot into the back of the net.
When I tell you the crowd was buzzing at that point, I mean it. Snapdragon stadium was in an absolute frenzy. This was surely going to be an easy victory. Right? Not so fast.
LAFC – “Comback Kids”?
A “head-scratcher” moment for many SDFC fans came in the 42nd minute as SDFC made their first big mistake. As LAFC were pressing with 6 men, keeper CJ Dos Santos tried to play out of the back by passing the ball into the box to Godoy, who ended up losing the ball from a tough tackle. This led to a blaocked shot that saw the ball bounce out to defender Artem Smolyakov and the Ukrainian international hit a 25-yeard absolute beauty of a shot to beat CJ Dos Santos off the top crossbar and in. Give credit where credit is due, LAFC got a lucky break on the deflection that sent the ball to Smolyakov but the shot was a wonderful piece of soccer art and a great individual effort. Hat tip to Artem.
As an SDFC fan, I do not have a big problem when the team gives up a goal where a great shot beats the keeper. What I do have a problem with is when the goal stems from a bonehead decision. There was absolutely no reason for SDFC to play out of the back with high pressure from 6 opposing players. Godoy was seen pointing for CJ to pass the ball out wide to McVey. Negri was open on the side a little further up as well. CJ made the bad decision to play the ball through the middle and the team paid for it. I believe they will learn from this and only continue getting better at playing from out back as that is the playing style that this team owns.
A Stoppage Time Brace
Sergi Palencia, a defender from LAFC, pushed all the way up into the attack on the right wing as Bouanga found him with a massive cross from the other side of the field. Palencia found space and time to send in a low cross before he was closed down by Negri, who I am sure was not expecting Palencia to be there. The ball traveled all the way across the goal into the foot of Delgado who passed it back into the middle to Under, who in turn slotted it home. This passing combination found McVey defending both, Delgado and Under due to Loffelsend coming back from pushing forward and the midfield not being able to track back quickly enough. It was a 2v1 situation and McVey was beaten.
A Red Card Opportunity Squandered
In the 52nd minute, Igor Jesus, the center mid for LAFC caught Godoy from the back and was issued a red card. LAFC were down to 10 men for the rest of the game. Just like in the Columbus Crew game, SDFC were not able to take advantage of being a man up. Not only were we not able to take advantage, we were also giving up opportunities for LAFC to score. This type of play will need to be addressed during training in order to ensure we find a way to take advantage of having numbers against the other team and to be less careless in the back as we have now allowed multiple one-on-one opportunities and direct shots on goal as a result of pushing up. The players have to learn to stay patient and not move up out of their positions with every chance they get.
Takeaways
SDFC get the first home win and now look to go to battle next Saturday at home against an always dangerous, Seattle FC. Sticking with the style of play they preach to the team, getting McNair and Godoy back, as well as switching up the wing-backs were all keys to success. Mikey Varas implemented a strategy and the players delivered.
Mikey Varas was quoted saying “In 50 years, this club is going to be a giant. I guarantee it.” What he means by this is – he is confident in the groundwork that is being laid down. The Right to Dream philosophy and implementing an academy that will allow young players to play the SDFC style of soccer from a young age so that when they’re ready for the professional level, they will have already learned the strategies and the style of play needed to be successful from the beginning of their careers.
Quest for the Unofficial California Cup
There are 4 California teams – LA Galaxy, LAFC, SDFC, and San Jose Earthquakes. I thought it would be fun to see who gets to become the one who wears the crown so I will track the table below. Each team will play each other twice, a home and away. Whoever gets the most points will be crowned the Kings of California.
Quick Notes and Shout Outs
It was cool to run into Wyatt who does matchday vlogs on YouTube. I got to chat with him a little about the team and we both did predictions. I predicted 3-1 win and he actually got it right with a 3-2 win prediction. Go check out his YouTube page www.youtube.com/@sd_wyatt to see some detailed matchday experience videos and check out my interview with him in the latest episode.
I also got to meet Mike Geo who does pre and post game reviews on his YouTube page. Check out his stuff at: www.penaltykickpodcast.com and look out for a collab coming soon where I will hopefully be going onto his platform and discussing all things SDFC.
Big shout out to USG-18 supporters group for having me at their tailgate and supplying the suds and food. USG-18 is a military/first responder supporter group who always has a setup in the purple lot. They’re a bunch of cool guys so make sure to stop by and say what’s up to them next time you’re there.
There was a brawl that happened outside of the stadium after the game involving a few SDFC fans and some LAFC fans. The video showed a LAFC fan sucker punching a SD fan which led to a all out brawl. Thanks to the amazing Reddit community, the man was identified and hopefully will face legal consequences for his actions. I am planning on bringing my daughter to the next game but I will never bring my family around any games involving Los Angeles fans. I know it only take a few certain individual to give the entire fanbase a bad rep but it is what it is when it happens every time an SD team faces an LA team. Hopefully security will be tighter next game to prevent fights from happening.
That’s it for Matchday 6! Please stay tuned for a preview of the Seattle vs SDFC coming later this week and thank you so much for the support. Follow my Instagram page @sdfcnation to stay up to date on all posts and the exciting things happening soon. LFGSDFC!!
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