Villaseñor: San Diego FC vs. LA Galaxy preview

Photo credit: San Diego FC

San Diego FC will embark on its first-ever Major League Soccer match this Sunday, February 23rd, against the defending MLS Cup champions, LA Galaxy. Typically, expansion teams like San Diego FC don’t find immediate success, but this club will try to defy the odds against the Galaxy. My name’s Alejandro “Chiva” Villaseñor and I’ll provide a starting eleven prediction, an analysis of what the match will look like for San Diego FC and a score prediction to wrap things up.

I’ll be honest—these blogs won’t go into too much detail about the opposition each week but will instead focus on what San Diego FC has to offer before each match. While I’m not new to soccer, I am new to MLS. If you’re from San Diego and following San Diego FC this year, buckle up—this is the ride you want to be on before the start of each game. This won’t be the most professional writing; this is literally what’s in my head as I write. So here you go—my first-ever San Diego FC match blog.

Starting XI

San Diego FC Head Coach Mikey Varas will deploy a 4-3-3 formation. Soccer nerds know exactly what that means, but let me break it down for those new to the sport: a 4-3-3 formation consists of four defenders, three midfielders, and three attacking players. This formation is common and can be adapted to be more attacking or defensive, depending on the opponent.

From what we’ve seen in the preseason, Varas prefers a fast-paced offense that aims to get the ball into the opponent’s box within four to five touches. This system can be effective, but only if the team has the right players with the necessary pace, control and technique. Here’s what I believe Varas will go with on Sunday against the Galaxy.

The Defense

In goal, CJ Dos Santos is expected to start. This will be a big test for him to prove he has what it takes to be the club’s primary goalkeeper. The goalkeeping position is the most worrisome aspect of this lineup. At just 24 years old, Dos Santos is young for a starting goalkeeper—most goalkeepers hit their prime around 30. His ability to command the defense and show leadership may be a challenge.

On the backline, Jasper Loffelsend will likely start at right-back. Despite the recent signing of Willy Kumado, Loffelsend has logged more preseason minutes and has proven himself reliable in build-up play.

At left-back, Franco Negri, formerly of Inter Miami (the team with some guy named Lionel Messi—maybe you’ve heard of him?), will start. Negri, a 30-year-old Argentine, brings grit, loves to trash-talk, and knows how to entertain the fans. He’s expected to hold down the left-back position this season.

The center-back pairing will feature Sean McVey and Paddy McNair. McVey may not hold onto the starting spot for long, as Andres Reyes is recovering from knee soreness, but he’ll start in this match. McNair, if he stays healthy, will be a regular starter. The duo looked solid in the preseason against the New York Red Bulls, keeping a clean sheet in a 6-0 win.

Can this backline contain the reigning champions? Short answer: probably not. But let’s see how they perform under the bright lights at Dignity Health Sports Park.

The Midfield

This is where things get interesting. Instead of the usual one defensive midfielder, Varas will likely start two: captain Jeppe Tverskov and Aníbal Godoy. These two are the most experienced players on the team and also the oldest. Jeppe will be a key figure, not just because he wears the captain’s armband but because everything runs through him. He’s capable of launching long passes behind defenses and intercepting key passes from opponents. He arrives from Danish club FC Nordsjælland, which shares a connection with San Diego FC through their "Right to Dream Academy"—a well-known development program with teams in Egypt, Ghana, Denmark, and now San Diego.

Godoy, an MLS veteran, brings composure and experience. While I don’t see him as a weekly starter, he’ll play an important role early in the season. He delivers precise short passes and provides defensive stability.

Now for the difference-maker in midfield: San Diego native Luca de la Torre. De la Torre is a box-to-box midfielder who can do it all—defend, attack, and transition play through the middle. His vision and technique are far superior to the average MLS midfielder. After leaving San Diego at 14 to pursue a career in Europe, he most recently played in La Liga with Celta Vigo but struggled for game time. Now back in his hometown, he’ll be electrifying to watch and crucial to the team’s attacking success.

The Attack

The front three consists of a right winger, a left winger, and a central striker.

Leading the line at striker is Marcus Ingvartsen. A key early signing for San Diego FC, he’s a classic poacher who knows where to position himself in the box. He played alongside Tvserskov in Denmark, and their chemistry could be valuable. With his finishing ability and experience, I expect him to be among the league’s top scorers.

On the right wing, Anders Dreyer will start. MLS teams can sign up to three designated players (DPs), meaning they can earn significantly more than the league’s salary cap. Dreyer, a Danish international, was signed from Belgian club Anderlecht. He’s a quick, technical player with a deadly left foot and an eye for goal. Wearing the number 10, he’s expected to be one of the team’s standout players. Keep an eye on him—he might just become your favorite player.

And finally, the man everyone knows: Hirving "Chucky" Lozano on the left wing. Lozano, famous for his 2018 World Cup goal that gave Mexico a win over Germany, is the face of this team. He was the club’s first DP signing and received a massive unveiling event called "ChuckyMania," where thousands of fans showed up just to see him for three minutes. In preseason, he looked miles ahead of most MLS players. At nearly 30, he doesn’t have many years left at his peak, but he will be one of the top five players in the league and a consistent goal threat.

Match Prediction:

I believe San Diego FC will score first in this match. The Galaxy are the defending champions, but they’ve had key departures and injuries, and their preseason form wasn’t great. San Diego might even take a 2-0 lead, with Dreyer scoring and McNair or McVey getting a goal off a set piece. However, I have a gut feeling that a mistake by goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos will allow the Galaxy back into the game. Late in the match, LA will find an equalizer, and the game will end in a 2-2 draw.

That would still be a solid result for San Diego. Taking a point on the road against the champs is a good start to the season. In soccer, winning at home and drawing on the road is a recipe for success. Expect some rustiness from the players, as they’ve only been playing together for a few weeks, but overall, this should be an exciting match. If San Diego FC manages to steal a point, it will be a great way to kick off the season.