San Diego FC played Club America today at Snapdragon Stadium, drawing 30,916 fans. 

Tonight, six SDFC players missed the match due to national team duty, giving head coach Mikey Varas the opportunity to mix up the starting XI. Notably, Pablo Sisniega, Manu Duah, and  Heine Gikling Bruseth took the pitch for the first time in Chrome and Azul. 

Mikey Varas talks about the opportunity for the players and the team to prove themselves.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/GxNBoyXSMO

— Jenny Furrer (@JennyFurrer619) June 8, 2025

The Game Begins

The match whistle blew, and the stadium buzzed with energy from both teams’ supporter sections. San Diego FC came out strong, organized, and ready to put the ball into the net. In just 5 minutes, San Diego made four promising attempts on the goal. One flew over the net, and the remaining were stopped by Club America’s goalkeeper, Rodolfo Cota.

When Las Aguilas finally had the chance to get the ball, they were closed down quickly. San Diego FC’s makeshift lineup moved Manu Duah from centre-back into his natural defensive midfield position, and Jasper Loeffelsend from midfield into right-back. Quickly, Club America became disorganized and lost possession of the ball. 

The debut players put on a show for the crowd tonight. Sisniega passed his first test as a goalkeeper for SDFC and ran off his line to close down the opposition’s attack. Bruseth plowed through the midfield with impressive runs and great passes to the front three. Duah displayed confidence playing out of position at centre-back, and still showed off his silky runs through the midfield on counterattacks. 

With only ten minutes left in the first half, San Diego’s attacking pressure finally turned into a goal. Loeffelsend, whose versatility was obvious tonight, passed the ball forward from his midfield position. Milan Iloski collected the pass and shot the ball from the far end of the box across the goalkeeper and into the net. 

BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

watch this pic.twitter.com/3iV642Y6tn

— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) June 8, 2025

The match carried on, and the SDFC players and fans held their heads high with confidence, as Club America counted down the seconds until the referee blew the whistle. 

Halfway There

Las Aguilas came out optimistic in the second half, gaining the first moment of possession. They were quickly closed down by Duah and Ian Pilcher, and SDFC’s attack accelerated up the pitch. Throughout the first part of the second half, Club America brought the ball closer to the goal, but the 20- and 22-year-old centre-back duo made quick work of the attacking pressure. 

In the 63rd minute, Milan Iloski decided one goal was not enough for him. Oscar Verhoeven launched a cross from the right side of the pitch, and Iloski placed himself perfectly to put the ball past the keeper. 

With less than 30 minutes left in the game, Mikey Varas brought on experienced midfielder Ingvartsen and first-time SDFC player Anisse Saidi to replace midfielder Alejandro Alvarado and right back Verhoeven. Loffelsend moved to his normal position in the backline. 

Club America wasn’t ready to give up, and at the 67th minute, they entered the box, desperately trying to score. San Diego’s compact defense was too much for the visiting team, and SDFC quickly collected the ball and launched a counterattack. 

Well call this one a…. Baja Blast. 🚀💥 pic.twitter.com/nyQRiF9gwN

— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) June 8, 2025

Mikey Varas brought off Alex Mighten and replaced him with Emmanuel Boateng, whose fresh legs brought potential to extend the lead further. Only a few minutes later, Tomás Angel scored a beautiful curving goal from a free kick just outside the box. 

Chris McVey came on for Anisse Saidi at the 80th minute, after the 16-year-old’s debut was cut short due to an apparent injury. Adding a centre-back allowed Manu Duah to move forward into his preferred position as a defensive midfielder. 

Willie Kumado assists at the press conference, asking Manu Duah the first question.

Via @EVT_News pic.twitter.com/RQ4rBBt9m7

— Jenny Furrer (@JennyFurrer619) June 8, 2025

The match concluded without additional time, and San Diego FC fans erupted in celebration with fireworks.

Tonight’s match gave San Diego FC the opportunity to show their depth and perseverance. With six players out for international duty and three players sidelined due to injury, the starting eleven was almost completely different from past games. However, the high-pressing, high-possession play style carried on and ultimately granted a win, even against one of Mexico’s best and oldest football clubs. 

Jenny Furrer

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