Match Recap: San Diego FC Remains Undefeated in 1-0 Win Over Sporting Kansas City

A fairly healthy squad traveled to Kansas City as San Diego FC looked to stay undefeated in their first road match of the season.

Head coach Mikey Varas kept things similar when it came to the starting XI. The only change from last match was Pedro Soma replacing Anibal Godoy. Goalkeeper, Duran Ferree made his third straight start as the youngster kept a clean sheet in the first two games of the season.

Lewis Morgan made his first appearance on the bench, seemingly recovered from an injury that kept him out of the first two contests. The electric 18-year-old Bryan Zamble also occupied a bench spot. Zamble scored a goal just minutes after making his debut in the first match of the season.

Sporting Kansas City entered the match searching for its first win of the season after opening with a loss and a draw. The club sat at the bottom of the Western Conference with a negative 3 goal differential. Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, Kansas City is in the midst of a rebuild under new head coach Rafael Wicky, who was still seeking his first victory in charge.

First Half

San Diego played their signature style from the beginning, keeping a high percentage of possession and creating some half-chances. Perhaps the best moment of the first 25 minutes for SDFC was from a corner kick. Anders Dreyer sent in a low cross to an untouched Luca Bombino, who completely misjudged his kick and squandered a good chance on goal.

Kansas City remained patient on the ball, allowing San Diego to keep possession while putting bodies behind the ball. Wicky was happy to watch his side play in a mid-to-low block while forcing SDFC to use creative ways to get in on goal.

The 39th minute finally brought a breakthrough for San Diego. Onni Valakari picked out an unmarked Dreyer on top of the 18-yard box. Dreyer collected the pass without any pressure and calmly curled the ball into the lower corner of the net past John Pulskamp, the Kansas City goalkeeper.

Second Half

The home side came out on the front foot in the start of the second half. Kansas City’s high press forced a couple of turnovers from San Diego’s defense, but Sporting was unable to capitalize.

SDFC nearly made it 2-0 in the 51st minute when Dreyer found open space through the middle of the field. He slotted a through ball to left back Kieran Sargeant, who quickly played it across the middle of the danger area. Dreyer dummied the pass and the ball found the feet of Valakari, who's shot grazed the outside of the post.

Amahl Pellegrino got on the scoresheet in the 62nd minute after a beautiful play down the right flank. Dreyer provided a perfect cross into the penalty area where Pellegrino finished with his right foot over Pulskamp. However, after VAR review, the ball ricocheted off of Pellegrino's arm and the goal was overturned.

Varas made his first substitution in the 64th minute, bringing in David Vazquez for Soma and Oscar Verhoeven for Luca Bombino. The change signaled a defensive-minded formation change.

Lewis Morgan finally made his San Diego debut, replacing Marcus Ingvartsen in the 75th minute.

SKC had their best chance of the match in the 88th minute when Taylor Calheira was able to get in front of Verhoeven but the contested shot was denied by an impressive diving save from Ferree.

The last few minutes of the match brought end-to-end action. First, Dreyer got in on goal and chipped Pulskamp but the ball bounced off the post. Just moments later, Stephen Afrifa found himself with a wide-open shot from the right side of the penalty box forcing another diving save from SDFC goalkeeper Ferree.

San Diego FC saw the rest of the match out and remained undefeated. Ferree earned a third straight shutout – making impressive saves after being tested more than the first two matches. Dreyer earned Man of the Match honors, recording six shots and the lone goal.

Next, San Diego takes on Toluca in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday, March 11th at Snapdragon Stadium.