San Diego FC obtained its most significant win of the 2026 season this Saturday, August 15, defeating LAFC 1-0.

The game was played at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, and SDFC was heading into the match as heavy underdogs.

It has been a disastrous season for San Diego, while LAFC has been one of the top teams in the Western Conference. The Azul and Chrome team was coming off two consecutive victories in the Leagues Cup against Club Tijuana and Club Puebla.

While Varas’ team failed to advance to the knockout round of the Leagues Cup, these recent victories served as a momentum boost. Before these wins, San Diego had only one win from six games.

CJ dos Santos started the game in net for SDFC. The backline consisted of Oscar Verhoeven, Manu Duah, Ian Murphy, and Luca Bombino. Anibal Godoy, Alejandro Alvarad,o and Gabriel Pirani started in the midfield. The attack was made up of Lewis Morgan, Marcus Ingvartsen, and Anders Dreyer.

LAFC had a potent starting 11 featuring players like Heung-Min Son, Hugo Llo,ris and Denis Bouanga. LAFC also has the home-field advantage, although Los Angeles has yet to defeat San Diego in the three previous games between each other.

The visitors controlled possession heavily in the first half and throughout the match with 60-percent dominance in the game.

However, SDFC did not have any shots on target in the opening 45 minutes. Despite these struggles offensively, the defense was able to contain Los Angeles.

Both teams really struggled to generate dangerous attacking play in the match, especially in that first half. LAFC picked it up in the second half, but a significant miscue towards the end of the game allowed San Diego to finally get on the scoreboard.

Jeppe Tverskov headed the ball off a corner, and the sphere deflected off Ryan Porteous’ arm inside the box. San Diego earned a penalty kick, and Dreyer kicked the ball to the left to score the golden opportunity. Lloris dove the other way completely, and this proved to be the decisive moment of this match.

Anders Dreyer is CLUTCH. 🥶

His penalty puts @sandiegofc ahead with only stoppage time remaining!

📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/pSEcHXsJbh pic.twitter.com/jBvRKr3DOf

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 16, 2026

Dreyer would receive a second yellow card after a foul on Son in stoppage time and exited the game just a couple of minutes before the conclusion. While this did not have an impact on this match, Dreyer will miss San Diego’s game against Portland on August 19.

This will be a huge absence for a San Diego team that has been struggling heavily this entire campaign. Also, for a San Diego team that seems to severely lack depth on the offensive front.

Elias Achori did make his debut for SDFC in this game, but had no shots or key passes in 37 minutes of play.

Despite the worries for the next game, this is a very significant win for San Diego FC. This is now three consecutive victories in all competitions and four games without losing to LAFC in all matches between both teams.

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.