San Diego FC will host the Vancouver Whitecaps at Snapdragon Stadium for a game in the 2026 MLS regular season this Saturday, May 23.

This will be the last week of MLS games before the World Cup break, as SDFC will not see action after this match until July 22.

San Diego is undefeated in four consecutive games and will be looking for that positive momentum heading into the break. The Southern California team has the potential to benefit from the break after a rough stretch of games.

San Diego FC has only won one of its last 12 games and has struggled in this initial half of the season. SDFC really showcased its struggles in the last match against Cincinnati as the Azul and Chrome side was seconds away from victory, but gave away a very late lead.

95′ | Ingvartsen Golazo pic.twitter.com/duEceifsG9

— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) May 17, 2026

SDFC gained a 3-2 lead in the 96th minute and almost immediately gave away the lead on the following play as the game ended 3-3. The San Diego FC players were seen heartbroken on the field with clear gestures of heavy disappointment.

San Diego FC players absolutely gutted after drawing 3-3 to Cincinnati. Were up 3-2 with seconds left on the clock.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/monBQFWqDh

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) May 17, 2026

More than a point earned,d this result really seemed like two points lost for San Diego. The big positive takeaway from that match was the lively offense led by Marcus Ingvartsen, who scored two goals.

Ingvartsen now has 11 goals scored on the year, which leads SDFC and is among the best tallies in Major League Soccer.

The other goal on the night was scored by Amahl Pellegrino, who scored his first goal since February 21. Pedro Soma did not start the game, but came on at halftime and made a significant impact on the match.

Soma provided the assist on Pellegrino’s goal, which was almost half a goal for how well it set up the scoring play. Soma now has a goal and two assists in his last two games played and seems to be a must-start option for Mikey Varas.

The defense still had its heavy in consistencies in this match, and it is worrying how limited Varas’ backline has been in some games.

The backline will have a very tough task against the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have scored the third-most (30) goals in MLS. Brian White leads the Canadian team with eight goals scored, while Sebastian Berhalter has the most assists with four.

Berhalter also leads Vancouver in total goal contributions with 10 and has really proven to be one of the best midfielders in MLS this year. The Whitecaps also count on international superstar Thomas Müller, who has scored four goals this year.

Muller usually plays right behind striker Brian White and is the creative engine for this team. Vancouver’s defense is also among the best in the league, tied with the fewest goals conceded this season (10).

Tristan Blackmon has proven to be one of the most consistent centre-backs in MLS over the past few seasons and has made a formidable partnership with Mathias Laborda this year.

One huge positive for San Diego is that Vancouver will be without All-Star goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka. The Japanese shot-stopper received a red card in the Whitecaps’ last match against Houston and will be unavailable for this game.

Takaoka has been one of the best goalkeepers in the league over the past couple of years, and this is a huge absence for the visitors.

However, Vancouver has lost just one of its last eight games and is set to be a very tough opponent for San Diego FC. SDFC has still proven to be highly volatile this season, and the visitors clearly have the better form.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.