San Diego FC’s perfect MLS start ends with 3-3 draw at FC Dallas
Credit: SDFC
San Diego FC played its second road match of the 2026 MLS regular season this Saturday, March 14, against FC Dallas.
SDFC won all three games in MLS before this game and had not even conceded a goal.
With the return-leg against Toluca in the CONCACAF Champions Cup to worry about, Mikey Varas deployed an alternate lineup. Pablo Sisniega started his first game as the starting goalkeeper in MLS play.
Ian Pilcher and Luca Bombino started the match as the fullbacks. Osvald Soe received his first-ever start with SDFC in the centre-back position alongside Manu Duah, who received a red card against Toluca.
The midfield trio consisted of Pedro Soma, Onni Valakari, and Anibal Godoy, who was the team captain to start the match. David Vazquez, Alex Mighten, and Marcus Ingvartsen made up the attacking frontline.
Ingvartsen also received a red card in the first match against Toluca and will be unavailable for the return-leg on March 18.
San Diego had a quick start to the match with a pair of penalties to gain a 2-0 lead by the 31st minute. Alex Mighten earned the first penalty after being knocked down by Shaq Moore inside the box.
GOOOAAALLLL 21′
Onni Valakari pic.twitter.com/YzJlmOLHqs— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) March 15, 2026
Onni Valakari stepped up to take the penalty and converted the opportunity with a well-located shot to the left side. David Vazquez was taken down by Herman Johansson in the 29th minute to earn San Diego’s second penalty of the game. Marcus Ingvartsen converted the scoring opportunity this time to give SDFC a comfortable 2-0 lead.
That lead became a lot less comfortable in the 40th minute when Petar Musa scored for the home team. After 310 minutes, SDFC had finally conceded a goal in the 2026 MLS season.
Dallas’ high press worked on SDFC’s backline as Osvald Soe lost the ball to Kaick, who found Musa in the penalty area. Musa’s initial shot was saved by Sisniega, but the Croatian striker easily put away the scoring opportunity on the rebound.
The @fcdallas press results in a Petar Musa goal! GAME ON. pic.twitter.com/LIO52YyeJU
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 15, 2026
San Diego controlled 65-percent possession at the half and did look like the better side despite the late goal. Varas made some substitutions to start the second half as Jeppe Tverskov and Oscar Verhoeven replaced Ian Pilcher and Pedro Soma.
SDFC extended its lead in the 51st minute as Onni Valakari scored his second goal of the night. At the time of writing, Valakari was awarded the goal, but it seemed like an own goal by Nolan Norris. Mighten crossed the ball into the box, Valakari struck the sphere, but Norris deflected it into his own net.
Onni Valakari bags his brace to put @sandiegofc up 3-1! pic.twitter.com/yTix1KuPZm
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 15, 2026
The comfortable two-goal lead did not last long as Bernard Kamungo earned a penalty after being fouled by Sisniega in the box. Musa scored the penalty for his second goal of the night to cut down San Diego’s lead again.
Varas made two changes shortly after the goal, bringing on Anders Dreyer and Amahl Pellegrino for David Vazquez and Alex Mighten. SDFC’s final substitution of the game came in the 71st minute when Christopher McVey came on for Osvald Soe.
San Diego held on to possession and to the slim 3-2 lead, but the home side kept on pressing constantly. That pressure paid off as Dallas was able to tie the match in stoppage time.
Bernard Kamungo intercepted the ball on a clearance and made an impressive run to the penalty box. Kamungo glided past three SDFC players and left the ball for Musa, who shot the sphere past Sisniega to seal his hat-trick.
PETAR MUSA HAT-TRICK! 🎩@fcdallas have equalized in stoppage time! pic.twitter.com/SPjAHq7GM3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 15, 2026
Musa was a menace to San Diego’s backline all day and capitalized on this final vital opportunity for the 3-3 result. While SDFC is still undefeated and earned a point from this match, it certainly felt more like two points lost than one earned.
San Diego will now travel to face Toluca in the return-leg of the Champions Cup with a 3-2 win, but without Duah, Ingvartsen, or the home-field advantage. The next MLS game for SDFC will be on March 22 when the Chrome and Azul side hosts Real Salt Lake at Snapdragon Stadium.
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.