San Diego FC returned to Snapdragon Stadium to face Toronto FC for the first time. A total of 23,514 fans showed up on Wednesday night to support their team. The home team faced disappointing news after hometown hero Milan Iloski returned to Denmark and terminated his loan. In addition, right-back Jasper Loeffelsend departed San Diego, and the club acquired fullback Aiden Harangi from Eintracht Frankfurt. 

San Diego FC Sporting Director Tyler Heaps confirms #SDFC is looking at three or four different players this transfer window. Reminded the press that the DP spot cannot be used this window.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/LuLRs1vNSX

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) July 17, 2025

With multiple changes to the club roster and many players still nursing injuries, head coach Mikey Varas made several changes to the starting lineup. Left-back Franco Negri returned to the starting XI for the first time since April. In addition, Pablo Sisniega made his second start in goal. 

The 11 up against the 6ix. pic.twitter.com/PP7esG9D2D

— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) July 17, 2025

The game started, and in the first part of the first half, San Diego dominated possession, giving Toronto little room to counterattack. In one of their few promising runs, Negri fouled a Toronto forward inside the penalty box, and the referee awarded a penalty to Toronto. Goalkeeper Sisniega prepared for his first test, but Theo Corbeanu scored with a right-footed shot to the right of the goal.

With Toronto in the lead, the club and stadium rallied, with the players looking sharper and the fans growing louder. San Diego held onto the ball, with nearly 70% possession and 92% pass accuracy. Despite this, the home team struggled to break through Toronto’s compact defense. The half ended, and San Diego had zero shots on target. 

The team returned to the locker room for the halftime break, looking for the key to unlock Toronto’s back line. 

San Diego FC came out strong in the second half, with all players pushing hard to break through the defense. Center back Chris McVey was front and center in front of the Toronto goalkeeper, and earned SDFC’s first shot of the night.

At 60 minutes, Varas introduced substitutes to ignite the attack even further. Left winger Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, forward Emmanuel Boateng, and left back Luca Bombino came on, replacing Tomás Ángel, Alex Mighten, and Franco Negri. Bombino’s attacking fullback style allowed the team to have more movement up the left side of the pitch. Lozano and Boateng brought fresh legs to the attack.

San Diego continued to press forward, and with 71% of the possession and over 600 passes 77 minutes into the game, Coach Varas still did not have the equalizer he was hoping for. He subbed on youngster Manu Duah for right back Oscar Verhoven. Duah moved to the center back position, and McVey moved to the right of the defensive line.

After a great attacking run from Chucky, he shot the ball directly in front of the goal. The shot was blocked by the arm of a Toronto defender, but the referee felt the arm was in a natural position. With only 2 minutes of regular time remaining, the home team were desperate for a goal. Sisniega hovered at the halfway line, while his ten teammates swarmed the box.

The referee signaled that there would be four minutes of added time. Both teams pushed for a last-minute goal, but neither team was able to convert.

Mikey Varas on the handball, plus thoughts on the team’s performance@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/7wjiSM43fq

— Jenny Furrer (@JennyFurrer619) July 17, 2025

The game ended with Toronto earning three points. San Diego FC maintained their leading spot in the Western Conference, but many questions needed to be answered before the rematch against Vancouver FC this Saturday.

Defender Chris McVey on tonight’s match and what was missing from SDFC@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/7KDYWfapac

— Jenny Furrer (@JennyFurrer619) July 17, 2025

Jenny Furrer

Jenny is a San Diego native, athlete, and local sports fanatic. She covers San Diego FC and San Diego Wave.