Slumping San Diego FC visit red hot Real Salt Lake
MLS
San Diego FC will look to get back on track as Mikey Varas’ team visits Real Salt Lake for a game in the 2026 MLS Regular season this Saturday, April 18. SDFC is on a massive slump, currently on a five-game winless streak.
San Diego has lost two consecutive games and is coming off a 2-1 loss to Minnesota United at home. The glaring issue for the Southern California side has clearly been disciplinary with six red cards in the last six games.
SDFC has had a red card in the last four consecutive games, which has greatly put the team at a disadvantage. The defense has also been a massive problem in this slump with 14 goals allowed in the past six games.
The usual centre-back partnership of Christopher McVey and Manu Duah has only featured in one of those six games, which has been one of the central problems. McVey picked up a red card against Minnesota as the usual defensive pairing will not feature in the starting lineup yet again.
Osvald Soe has been the usual replacement for either McVey or Duah as he is likely to feature again. The offense has also been a problem recently with just three goals scored in the last four games.
This has been far from enough to make up for the defensive issues, which has led to this string of unfavorable results.
Finishing was the main miscue against Minnesota as SDFC produced 17 shots, but just one goal. San Diego FC is still eighth on the Western Conference table, but is now seven points behind first place Vancouver at the time of writing.
Real Salt Lake has been on the complete opposite of the spectrum, currently on a five-game undefeated streak. The Utah-based side has won four of its last five games with its only draw coming against San Diego at Snapdragon Stadium.
These teams tied 2-2 at the Mission Valley Fortress with Salt Lake equalizing with a goal in the 85th minute. RSL is coming off a 3-1 win against Kansas City where three different goalscorers led to the three points.
Young Spanish forward Sergi Solans currently leads RSL with three goals scored on the season. While Zavier Gozo has a team-leading four goal contributions.
Gozo had a goal and assist against Kanas City and will be one of the key players to watch against San Diego. Solans and Victor Olatunji scored against SDFC at Snapdragon Stadium, but Olatunji did come off the bench.
Rafael Cabral had four saves against San Diego last time out and has the potential to be a factor in this match. Mikey Varas has instilled his confidence in the young Duran Ferree, who made four saves against Salt Lake in Mission Valley.
This has the potential to be a very active match in Utah, given San Diego’s desperation to turn things around. This will not be an easy match and another negative result will force the team to think of potential signings to boost the squad.
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.