San Diego FC head to Northern California on Sunday looking to extend their grip atop the Western Conference and stay in the chase for the Supporters’ Shield.
San Diego enters the weekend 15-7-4 with 49 points, holding a four-point lead in the West and remaining in striking distance of the Philadelphia Union’s overall point total.
The team’s recent form includes a 2-0 victory at Sporting Kansas City, with Anders Dreyer tallying his 12th goal and 17th assist—both team bests—while Hirving Lozano added his eighth goal. San Diego’s manager Mikey Varas stressed the challenge posed by a San Jose attack that has tallied 49 goals, just one shy of the league-leading side, and warned against getting drawn into a wide-open game.
“We have to find ways to break their compact marking and exploit the moments to get in behind them, while also staying solid in those transition moments against a front three that’s very talented,” Varas said. “We want to control the game, slow it down when needed, and avoid chaos.”
The Earthquakes, at 8-10-8 with 32 points, have demonstrated scoring depth with Josef Martínez and Cristian Arango each on 11 goals. San Jose earned a 2-1 upset of second-place Vancouver last Saturday to re-enter the West’s playoff picture, a win that snapped a seven-match winless run in all competitions and featured Martínez converting a controversial penalty.
DeJuan Jones provided the assist for Preston Judd’s stoppage-time clincher, sealing San Jose’s win as they push toward a postseason berth. Jones reflected on the current grind, saying, “Every game is super important. We have to keep earning points, especially at home. We did well against Vancouver, and I expect the same against San Diego.”
Looking ahead, six of the Quakes’ last eight MLS opponents are teams currently in West playoff spots, underscoring the tough path remaining in a crowded Western race.
What to watch:
– Spark players: Dreyer and Lozano for San Diego; Martínez and Arango for San Jose.
– Midfield battles and the ability to break lines in the press will be pivotal in controlling the tempo.
– San Jose’s home-to-road balance and recent playoff push will be tested against a San Diego squad already leading the conference.
Summary and outlook:
– San Diego carries strong form and a comfortable conference cushion into this matchup, with top scorers and a balanced attack. San Jose, having snapped a long winless stretch with a key victory, will look to sustain momentum and close the gap in the West. The result could have significant implications for both the Supporters’ Shield race and the Western playoff picture, with San Diego aiming to maintain its advantage and the Earthquakes striving to solidify a postseason spot.
Positive note:
– The competition remains tight and engaging, highlighting the depth and talent across the Western Conference and offering fans a high-stakes, competitive finish to the season.