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"We were one step away from MLS Cup, and 12 months ago, we were all introducing ourselves", said San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas after his club were beaten 3-1 at home by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Western Conference final.
Vancouver had a clear gameplan - and they executed it to perfection.
San Diego FC faced a high press that they haven't had to deal with in a long time. Vancouver were brave and went for the throat early. With how much they possess the ball and play out of the back, SDFC must have known they were going to get pressed, right? After all, they invite that kind of gameplay from opposing teams.
So, what went wrong? Let's analyze what caused SDFC to virtually abandon their identity and play desperation mode after giving up three goals in the first half.
How Vancouver Found Success
Would you believe me if I told you that SDFC had more possession in the first half? Probably not. I don't blame you. That's because it felt like Vancouver did everything right. They took the game to San Diego and the home team wasn't ready for it.
Off the ball, Vancouver pressed with numbers, making SDFC work hard to get the ball out of their own half. On the ball, the Whitecaps kept possession and made if difficult for San Diego to get it back. For a team accustomed to controlling possession and setting the rhythm, San Diego looked noticeably uncomfortable as Vancouver flipped the script on them.
On offense, Vancouver looked to attack the wings. They targeted the young and inexperienced SDFC wingbacks, Luca Bombino and Ian Pilcher. The Whitecaps preferred that matchup rather than challenging Manu Duah, who has been a standout in the central defensive role, or Chris McVey, the veteran presence in the back line.
This offensive tactic allowed Vancouver to take chances where they were mostly going to find success. Bombino stood his ground and defended well. However, Pilcher was not able to replicate the incredible performance he showcased against Minnesota.
What Went Wrong in the First Goal?
Lets take a look at the first goal that came in the 8th minute. Vancouver is pressing high with numbers, forcing SDFC to play quickly into tight spaces. Any small mistake on the ball and the team risks a turnover in a dangerous area.
Vancouver midfielder Andres Cubas, number 20, is seen in the first frame hovering and allowing his teammates to do the chasing while keeping his eye on the young, less experienced Pilcher.
Cubas sees the ball being passed to Pilcher and immeditely attacks, sprinting at his back. Pilcher, seeing Onni Valakari, wide open in the middle with lots of space, is thinking of a one-touch pass. Unfortunately, Cubas gets there earlier and puts in a wonderful sliding challenge that knocks the ball free in front of the SDFC box.
Vancouver quickly get forward with numbers while playing fast, one-two passes, which striker Brian White eventually puts into the back of the net.
Analyzing the Second Goal
It wasn't long before Vancouver scored a second goal on a stunned SDFC team. In the 11th minute, a great piece of individual skill allowed Vancouver winger, Emmanuel Sabbi, in on goal.
Thomas Muller threaded a pass into the box in front of Sabbi's run. Sabbi cleverly used a dummy move that allowed him to get past Bombino and in one-on-one with SDFC goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega. Keep your eye on Pilcher making Vancouver winder Ali Ahmed.
Sisniega produced a remarkable, brave save that sent the ball rolling toward the penalty spot. In the second frame of the picture below, Pilcher is marking McVey's man while Ahmed is wide open waiting for the ball on top of the box.
The unmarked Ahmed runs up and hits a low, powerful shot into an open net. That causes SDFC defenders to try to block the shot while off balance and the ball eventually trickles into the back fo the net. SDFC go down two in the first 11 minutes.
A Third Goal Conceded and Desperation Mode Activated
The sudden 2-0 deficit triggered SDFC to all but abandon their signature Right-to-Dream playstyle and go after the game with everything they had. As Vancouver overloaded the right side of their attack, SDFC followed with numbers. This presented opportunity for Vancouver to isolate Ali Ahmed on the left.
A quick switch of the ball found Ahmed alone against Pilcher. The young SDFC wing back added to his evening woes by being beaten on the wing by Ahmed via a great individual piece of skill. Ahmed rushed into the box with no pressure after losing Pilcher and delivered a perfectly placed cross onto the chest of White, who had an easy tap in.
The third goal felt like the nail on the coffin. We were going to find out the true identity of the team in the second half. To no surprise, San Diego came out swinging in the second half. Mikey Varas brought on Chucky Lozano, Luca de la Torre, and Franco Negri. The momentum shifted in favor of San Diego but Vancouver, playing smart, hunkered down and played aggressive defense, often frustrating San Diego.
Through tough challenges, time wasting on fouls and any stoppages, Vancouver was able to weather the storm and see the game out. Although SDFC were not able to break through after scoring on a deflected shot by Chucky Lozano to make it 1-3, the team showed heart and grit of their signature never-give-up identity.
Post Match Scenes
After the final whistle, Varas kept his players on the pitch as Vancouver celebrated their Western Conference title. The decision didn’t sit well with all fans, but Varas has never been one for empty gestures. His message was clear: this is how close San Diego came, and this is what awaits if they take the next step. It was as if he wanted his squad to picture themselves on that stage next year, lifting that trophy instead of watching from a distance.
Luca Bombino clapped for his favorite section across from his typical left back position. Tears were seen in his eyes as fans got a chance to see the passion and the love that Bombino has for the club and the city.
The Frontera supporters section kept singing for nearly 15 minutes after the final whistle, refusing to let the moment fade. The team joined them for one last thunderclap of the season, a sendoff that carried a unmistakable message: through the highs and the lows, we’re with you.
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