Mikey Varas, the head coach of San Diego FC, is adopting a focused approach as his team prepares for the regular season finale against the Portland Timbers. This crucial match, scheduled for Saturday night, coincides with Major League Soccer’s “Decision Day” when teams across the league vie for playoff positions simultaneously. Varas prefers not to keep tabs on the scoreboard or other matches, emphasizing that for those directly involved, it is just another game day.
“Every goal changes everything in real time for the fans, which is exciting,” Varas remarked. “But for the players and staff, it’s about focusing on our game and aiming for the win.”
San Diego FC has the potential to finish anywhere from first to fourth in the Western Conference, depending on the outcomes of the day’s matches. A victory over Portland, combined with a loss by the Vancouver Whitecaps against FC Dallas, would place SDFC at the top of the conference, granting them the coveted No. 1 playoff seed due to a higher number of regular-season wins. This outcome would not only secure home-field advantage through the playoffs but could also allow San Diego to host the MLS Cup final, contingent upon their advancement in the playoffs and outcomes from the Eastern Conference.
The playoffs feature a new format this season, with hosting teams winning nearly 70% of their first-round series, making home-field advantage particularly strategic. Regardless of Saturday’s result, SDFC is assured of home-field advantage in at least the first round, where they will host Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3 at Snapdragon Stadium.
Ahead of the match, Varas confirmed that the team would be at full strength, welcoming designated players Anders Dreyer and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano back from international duties. Despite Portland being the only team in the West that SDFC has not beaten this season—having drawn 0-0 in their previous encounter—San Diego is eager to claim victory in their first match at Providence Park.
SDFC’s inaugural season has already been historic, as they secured a record 18 wins and 60 points, more than any previous expansion team in MLS history. They clinched a playoff spot as the first team in the league back in August, and with an average attendance of 28,064 fans at Snapdragon Stadium, they rank fourth in attendance among the 30 teams.
“This has been a tremendous expansion season for the boys,” Varas expressed. “Their commitment to our goals and how we want to play has been outstanding.”
With one last regular-season match to play, Varas insists on focusing solely on winning rather than the broader playoff implications. As Decision Day unfolds, the team remains concentrated on creating a strong finish ahead of the playoffs, promising an exciting conclusion to their landmark season.
MLS Decision Day: SDFC (18-9-6) vs. Portland Timbers (11-11-11)
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
Streaming: AppleTV