San Diego FC impresses in 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids
Credit: Tammy Ryan/ EVT Sports
San Diego FC played a game in the 2026 MLS regular season at Snapdragon Stadium against Colorado Rapids this Saturday, August 22.
SDFC was coming off a rough 3-1 loss to Portland Timbers while Colorado was on a significant three-game winning streak.
Despite the home-field advantage, Colorado was clearly coming into the game in much better form. Mikey Varas made five changes to the lineup that suffered the previous loss to Portland.
Anders Dreyer came back from a one-match ban and was straight in the starting 11. Varas also decided to start both Anibal Godoy and Jeppe Tverskov in the starting lineup, as it had been one or the other in recent weeks.
Elias Achouri started his first game with San Diego FC and made the most of it, scoring on the day. Luca Bombino and Oscar Verhoeven came back in the fullback slots after getting rest against Portland.
Colorado’s backline had been rigid, allowing just a goal in the previous five games before this. However, San Diego was able to break through and score the first goal of the game in the 27th minute.
The goal came off a disastrous defensive play between Reggie Cannon and Rob Holding. Cannon passed the ball towards Holding in the penalty box, but the English centre-back struggled to control the sphere, and Onni Valakari swooped in to shoot and score.
San Diego applies the pressure, and Onni Valakari capitalizes! 💪
📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/vExULfaxcC pic.twitter.com/rlBpLjaQz5
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 23, 2026
Colorado’s backline had been nearly impeccable in recent weeks, and this was a gift that SDFC did not waste. San Diego’s second goal came in the 35th minute and yet again was the result of severe defensive miscues.
Rob Holding and Hamzat Ojeriran tried to clear the ball inside of the penalty area, but ended up obstructing each other. The sphere fell directly to Elias Achouri, who scored with ease.
Elias Achouri said there’s no place like home 🏠
First home game. First start. First SDFC goal. All in one night! pic.twitter.com/cOuA0ruGqz
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) August 23, 2026
San Diego only had 53-percent possession in the first half, but were very clinical. Colorado made some unforgivable mistakes that the Azul and Chrome team took advantage of.
San Diego’s third goal came in the 71st minute and was the product of an impressive individual effort by Gabriel Pirani. The Brazilian player took the ball from San Diego’s half and passed the ball to Marcus Ingvartsen inside the penalty area.
Pirani kept the run going, and Ingvartsen returned the ball to Pirani, who shot the ball with cool precision inside the box.
Gabriel Pirani starts it and finishes it! 🏃♂️
San Diego leads 3-0. pic.twitter.com/F3x9dmgNY1
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 23, 2026
San Diego had less possession than Colorado in the second half, and this was the only clear scoring opportunity for SDFC in that second half. It is rare for San Diego to have less possession than the opponent, but it was unnecessary to obtain the victory in this match.
San Diego made quick work with the few clear-cut chances they had in this game. Colorado could not get much going offensively and was a disaster on the defensive side of the ball.
This was a huge victory for a struggling San Diego Team who is still just a point away from a possible playoff spot. SDFC’s next game will be a big one as the Azul and Chrome team host “Chucky” Lozano and the LA Galaxy at Snapdragon Stadium this Saturday, August 29.
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.