San Diego FC loses to Houston Dynamo 4-3 in thriller
Credit: Tammy Ryan/ EVT Sports
San Diego FC returned from their away games leading the MLS Western Conference, after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps and surpassing them on the table.
On Saturday, July 5, they faced the Houston Dynamo at Snapdragon Stadium. Drawing thousands of fans who hadn’t seen their team at home in nearly a month.
Anibal Godoy and Paddy McNair returned to their starting positions, and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano started on the bench, still recovering from his injury. Alex Mighten remained in the left wing spot that he filled in Chucky’s absence. With Luca de la Torre still with the USMNT, Onni Valakari joined the starting XI in his natural position in the midfield.
San Diego 0, Houston 0
The match started with an attempt at attack from Houston, with a cross launched from their left side. The run disorganized San Diego FC’s back line, and the shot glanced across CJ dos Santos’ goal.
SDFC endured a few similar chaotic attacks from Houston, but once Godoy and Tverskov slowed the pace of the game, the team began to create dangerous plays that put pressure on Houston’s defense.
In the 24th minute, Anders Dreyer switched the play with a long ball to left back Luca Bombino. Bombino whipped a cross into the box. Onni Valakari quickly laid it off to Milan Iloski, who buried it for his 10th goal of the season.
The Hidden Valley van Persie is THAT DUDE.
That’s eight (8) goals in his last five (5) matches. pic.twitter.com/Jq5JhgPo89
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) July 6, 2025
San Diego 1, Houston 0
With renewed confidence, San Diego FC built multiple punishing attacks, with a great set-piece opportunity from a free kick and many chances created from focused buildup. Houston’s defence scrambled to prevent San Diego from extending their lead.
In the 36th minute, San Diego was caught on a counterattack from Houston’s winger, Lawrence Ennali, who beat nearly all of the SDFC defenders to the goal. Dos Santos attempted to close down the attack, but Ennali found the equalizer for Houston.
San Diego 1, Houston 1
San Diego and Houston took turns building attacks and counterattacking each other. Three minutes into extra time, Houston’s Franco Escobar shot a curving ball past Dos Santos and earned a goal for his team.
San Diego 1, Houston 2
The half ended after a free kick for San Diego, which Dreyer disappointingly overshot past the goal.
San Diego FC came out to the pitch for the second half ready to respond to Houston’s goals. Bombino immediately launched a pass to Iloski, who was ready to score, but the ball was collected by Houston’s goalkeeper, Jonathan Bond.
San Diego continued to control the game, drawing fouls and free kicks in dangerous areas. Dreyer took the free kick, which Valakari tipped into the air. Tverskov lifted the ball with a header, setting up Bombino’s acrobatic equalizer.
The Big Bombino. pic.twitter.com/gLzOyEibex
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) July 6, 2025
San Diego 2, Houston 2
Head Coach Mikey Varas brought off McNair and Mighten, replacing them with Ian Pilcher and Lozano, which brought creativity to the attack and stability to the back line. Lozano started quickly, gliding down the left side of the pitch and drawing a tactical foul from Houston.
Lozano stormed the field again just a couple of minutes later and launched a great shot that was only saved by Bond’s fingertips.
The home team relentlessly attacked Houston’s defense, causing them to unravel. Chucky chipped the ball to Tverskov, who crossed the ball to Valakari. Valakari and Dreyer’s joint efforts pushed the ball to the back of the net and pushed San Diego into the lead
If you haven’t heard about Anders Dreyer…
…where have you been? pic.twitter.com/dMKWGZaj09
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) July 6, 2025
San Diego 3, Houston 2
Houston desperately pressed forward, looking to respond. After Brooklyn Raines earned a free kick, Ezequiel Ponce shot the ball above Dos Santos for what seemed to be the third equalizer of the night. However, after VAR review, Duane Holmes was offside in the buildup to the goal.
San Diego responded quickly, with a great attempt from Chucky that went over the bar.
The match continued to intensify, as San Diego clung to their lead and Houston pushed to break through. Ponce burst down the field on a counter attack, and collided with Dos Santos at the top of the penalty box, where both players collapsed. When Dos Santos got up, blood poured like a red fountain from his nose.
The referee pointed to the penalty spot, and Houston’s wishes were answered. As Dos Santos stood up, the referee handed him a yellow card.
Ponce lined up for his penalty kick, while the injured keeper made himself as big as possible in the box. Dos Santos dove to the right, and Ponce struck the ball up the middle of the goal, earning the equalizer for Houston.
San Diego 3, Houston 3
Varas brought on striker Tomás Ángel to replace midfielder Anibal Godoy, intending to push hard to score in the last few minutes of the game. The referee added 17 minutes of time due to the long injury delay.
San Diego played with all hands on deck, both in attack and defense. Center back Chris McVey took advantage of open space and dribbled the ball up the center of the field to attempt to score. Striker Iloski found himself in the defensive line, working to prevent Houston from doing the same.
Despite the defensive effort, Ponce found free space and shot the ball into the right corner of the goal, giving Houston the lead.
San Diego 3, Houston 4
The game ended, and San Diego FC dropped points against Houston. Both teams gave it their all tonight, fighting hard for the win.
Captain Jeppe Tverskov on what made it difficult to play against Houston tonight. @EVT_News #sdfc pic.twitter.com/rXiUATzcrf
— SDFC Nation (@SDFC_Nation) July 6, 2025
Jenny is a San Diego native, athlete, and local sports fanatic. She covers San Diego FC and San Diego Wave.