Written by San Diego FC Dmitry
March 21, 2025
Another week came and went and we are right back into the action. This time against a less-formidable side in Austin FC. The boys are coming off of a hard-fought point at home vs a 10-man Columbus side, which left them “Disappointed”, as Valakari pointed out in his post-match presser when asked about how it felt to score the first goal at home. That hunger for more, for winning, for the 3 points – has not waivered through the first 4 games of the season and is surely going to be a motivating factor to come away with another 3 points on the road in the lone state. As always, I’ve got your match preview right here, on SDFC Nation – let’s get into it.
Sunday Special
SDFC has put the nation on notice. No doubt about that. The result, exemplified in being scheduled for another nationally televised Sunday Night Soccer as the only game slated for the day. We are away in Austin, TX this week taking on a 2W-0T-2L Austin FC side, who just squeaked out a win against a quality opponent in LAFC last Saturday. ATX currently sits in 7th place on the table while SDFC is 2nd with 8 points, only behind Vancouver, who are perfect through 4 games.
Austin FC
In an impressive defensive display, Austin FC took away buildup opportunities from LAFC to the point where the LA side were not effective at all on offense while dominating possession 70-30. New head coach Nico Estevez made it publicly known that his team were going to first focus on playing mistake-free, defensive soccer. It is the kind of game that frustrates a lot of people because it is the total opposite of the style that SDFC play. There is no doubt that ATX have their problems with offense, only scoring 2 goals though 4 matches. Their mantra seems to be – play sound defense and if the goals come, they come, if not – well at least we didn’t give up any. Matter of fact, the games that they lost were both 1-0 defeats, in result Austin, having given up a total of 2 goals, as much as they have scored on the season. Will they try to prove a point that progress is being made on offense in front of a national audience on Sunday? It remains to be seen.
A Depleted Back Line
Austin has been hit by the international break as well, taking their two starting defensemen out of the lineup. Olksandr Svatok and Leo Vaisanen have both been called to represent their home countries, Ukraine and Finland, respectively. Also, opening-day starter Julio Cascante is out with a hamstring injury, which leaves a depleted center-back line that SDFC has to try and exploit. ATX will likely call on Ilie Sanchez, who is not used to playing the center back position, but has played it before in his time with KC.
Another player who ATX will miss dearly is the forward Myrto Uzuni, who is representing his Albania side this weekend. Most likely, Jader Obrian will come off the bench and into the starting lineup next to their star, Brandon Vasquez. Bukari will find himself pushing up to the offensive line a lot to create a virtual 3-3-4 lineup, at times. Although, I only see that happening on counterattacks and after long possession by ATX. My predicted lineup for Austin FC below:
Austin’s biggest threat is their speed up front. Bukari, Vasquez and Uzuni are all speedsters that can create chances with that feat alone. They will need to be closely watched in the transitions as that can cost SDFC a goal that they absolutely cannot give up against a team who prides itself on stymieing offensive chances and sitting back in a defensive formation as soon as they go up a goal. I can see them trying to implement the long-ball play into their forwards and hope for one of the speedsters to get through for a shot on goal.
San Diego FC
The good guys have been hit by the injury bug as well as international call-ups. It is currently being reported that Ingvartsen will miss anywhere from 10 to 12 weeks with a leg injury (not officially confirmed as of the time this article is being written). The Mexican star, Chucky Lozano, is still out with a hamstring issue so he will not be available for this match. All reports have been positive so far on Chucky’s recovery so we hope to have him back for the LAFC game, earliest.
No doubt, this leaves head coach Mikey Vargas in a tight spot as he will need to get creative with the lineup and give others a chance to prove themselves. It remains to be seen whether he chooses to go with the veteran presence of Boateng on the wing, while pushing Tomas Angel to the middle, with Dreyer on the other side OR does he give the speedy, talented, hungry Alex Mighten a chance. The youngster brought a change of dynamic in the last match when he was subbed on to change the pace of the game in the late stages. Mighten is impressive on the ball and is a fun watch from the supporter stands. I have no doubt he will make an appearance in this match if he does not get the start.
The midfield will be essential in this match as Austin FC is seeking to control possession, especially there. With Anibal Godoy on international duty, Valakari gets the start alongside Luca de la Torre and the captain, Tverskov. Valakari has undoubltly made his case for a starting position and he will get his chance to cement that idea on Sunday. The key to our midfield play will be to maintain possession and create dangerous chances by exploiting the makeshift center defensive lines of ATX with through-balls and passes over the top to Anders Dreyer and Tomas Angel.
Defensively, it is very hard to predict how Mikey Varas will structure the lineup. He has been testing the idea of Bambino and Willy on the outsides over Negri and Loffelsend, which proved to have its positives and negatives. Also, Paddy McNair traveled back to Northern Irreland to captain his country in the world cup qualifying matches. I strongly believe Ian Pilcher will look to make Paddy proud as he will most likely get the start in his position. Personally, I’d like to see Negri and Loffelsend duo back on the defensive wings to start the game in order to bring some experience and hold-up play. Experience of being patient and not falling too much into the trap of going up into the attacking third when there are opportunities to do so will allow SDFC to maintain control of the ball, and in the end – the game. Like I said in the other part of this write up, we cannot afford to give up a goal to ATX as they will make it very hard for us to score by parking the bus if they go up one goal. My predicted lineup for the good guys below:
The key to winning this game will be controlling the possession, which SDFC are in the top of the league in, and also utilizing the set pieces. We have looked dangerous from corner kicks and free kicks – we must seize those opportunities and put them away. This week, the team has been hitting the practices hard. Harder than before, in preparation of this game. Varas would like to see aggressiveness and capitalize on the many chances that we create. Surely the hunger and the will to win, will play a huge part in this game – we just can’t let it blind us and get caught out of position. Go for the throat, SDFC!! Let’s get these 3 points and come back home, where the sounds of the banda music and the smell of carne asada fills the Snapdragon parking lot. Where thousands of fans are eagerly awaiting your return, ready to cheer you on when we take on LAFC the following weekend. Until then, let’s take care of business!
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