San Diego FC vs. Columbus Crew: Tactical Analysis

San Diego FC extended their unbeaten streak this Saturday, March 15, joining St. Louis City FC as the only two expansion teams to remain undefeated in their first four matches.

However, they were unable to secure their first home win, leaving fans and players disappointed.

What went wrong?

Coaching Decisions: Mikey Varas

Head coach Mikey Varas was forced to adjust his starting lineup due to “Chucky” Lozano’s hamstring injury suffered in the home opener. Tomás Angel stepped in as his replacement, providing two assists across four games. Despite their strong performances in previous matches, fullbacks Franco Negri and Jasper Loeffelsend did not start, with Luca Bombino and Willy Kumado taking their places instead.

The absence of Loeffelsend and Negri was felt, particularly in the defensive structure and attacking transitions. Their eventual introduction in the second half added much-needed stability. Additionally, replacing Marcus Ingvartsen with Onni Valakari gave San Diego FC more fluidity in attack, allowing them to break down Columbus Crew’s compact defensive shape.

San Diego FC’s Defensive Performance

First Half Struggles

San Diego FC’s defensive line lacked cohesion in the first half. Willy Kumado, in particular, appeared disorganized compared to Negri, whose previous chemistry with the center-back pairing had provided a more structured backline. Defensive midfielder Jeppe Tverskov was present to assist the center-backs but was often drawn out of position, creating gaps that Columbus Crew exploited.

The midfield and attack also struggled to apply pressure when out of possession, allowing Columbus to dictate play with minimal resistance. This lack of intensity led to multiple dangerous moments for the visitors.

Second Half Adjustments

San Diego FC showed more urgency after halftime, pressing Columbus higher up the pitch. This forced the opposition into making passing errors, allowing San Diego to regain possession and initiate attacks. With better defensive coordination and improved communication with Tverskov, the backline looked more structured and resistant to Columbus’ offensive threats.

San Diego FC’s Attacking Performance

Lack of Sharpness in the First Half

San Diego FC struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half, as the midfield was frequently dispossessed. The lack of precision and intensity in attacking moves prevented the team from putting Columbus Crew under significant pressure.

Second Half Improvement

As the defense stabilized, San Diego FC found more attacking opportunities. Willy utilized his speed to make explosive runs up the right flank, delivering crosses into the box that led to corner kicks. Additionally, the midfield displayed more composure, using possession to stretch Columbus Crew’s shape and create space for forward runs. These adjustments allowed San Diego FC to carry the ball into dangerous areas more effectively. Onni Valakari’s historic first home goal exhibits San Diego FC’s impressive coordination and set-piece training.

Onni on scoring the first home goal in club history: pic.twitter.com/idzU1PnIkR

— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) March 16, 2025

However, the team’s inexperience was evident in their attacking movements. Anders Dreyer had two goals overturned due to offside calls. San Diego FC needs to improve their timing and positioning in the final third. As a new team, their chemistry is still developing, and their attacking players must refine their awareness to prevent unnecessary offside infractions. With better synchronization in their runs, San Diego FC has the potential to turn these close chances into legitimate scoring opportunities. 

Looking Ahead

San Diego FC’s second-half adjustments showcased their resilience and tactical adaptability, but their slow start and lack of finishing quality ultimately cost them the victory. While remaining undefeated is a positive takeaway, securing their first home win will require a more aggressive and coordinated approach from the opening whistle. With key players returning and lessons learned from this match, San Diego FC will look to build on their performance in the coming fixtures.

Jenny Furrer

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