San Diego FC’s undefeated streak ends with frustrating 1-0 loss to Seattle Sounders
Credit: SDFC
San Diego FC visited Lumen Field to face Seattle Sounders this Wednesday, May 28.
Given the tight schedule, head coach Mikey Varas made a few key changes to his starting 11.
Alejandro Alvarado Jr. came on for Anibal Godoy in the midfield, and Onni Valakari came on back in the attack for “Chucky” Lozano. Oscar Verhoeven also replaced Willy Kumado in the right-back slot.
The attacking trident of Anders Dreyer, Alex Mighten, and Lozano had been fruitful, and this key change clearly made a difference. SDFC was the far better team in the opening 45 minutes, but there was not many clear-cut scoring opportunities. Veteran goalkeeper Stefan Frei had a couple saves, but he did not have to move much from his position.
SDFC failed to take full advantage of a first half where they were the better side. This eventually cost the visitors in the second half when Jesus Ferreira opened the score in the 58th minute.
The turn 🕺 and the finish 💥 for Jesús Ferriera 🤌
The clever tally to open his Seattle account puts @SoundersFC up 1-0 on San Diego 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Zkb89yuszY
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 29, 2025
The scoring drive started with fullback Alex Roldan, who passed the ball downfield to Paul Rothrock. The 26-year-old winger sent in a cross to Ferrerira, who was given enough space to turn and shoot for the goal.
The defensive marking by San Diego was poor on the play, and this allowed the struggling Ferreira to score his first goal of the year.
Shortly after that goal, Mikey Varas made a couple of more substitutions and brought on Anibal Godoy and Milan Iloski for Luca de la Torre and Alejandro Alvarado Jr. At the start of the second half. Hirving Lozano came on for Alex Mighten to try and boost that offense.
San Diego did have plenty of scoring opportunities, but Stefan Frei was stopping everything coming his way. Some other shots went directly to the veteran goalkeeper or lacked much power.
The last two substitutions for Mikey Varas came in the 81st minute as Tomas Angel and Jasper Loffelsend replaced Onni Valakari and Oscar Verhoeven. However, no player that came onto the match, including Hirving Lozano made much of an impact. “Chucky” only had two off-target shots in what was one of his weakest performances of the year.
SDFC had 15 total shots in the game, but had absolutely nothing to show for it. It was a highly frustrating game, where the offense showed some creativity, but were missing that finishing touch. This loss snapped a five-game undefeated streak for San Diego FC, which started on May 3 with a 5-0 win over FC Dallas.
San Diego FC will play its last home game over the next month this Saturday, May 31, when Austin FC visits 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.