SDFC Drops Points at Home to Vancouver Amidst Another Red Card

Vancouver Whitecaps returned to Snapdragon stadium for the first time since knocking San Diego FC out of the playoffs last season. SDFC are coming off of a frustrating tie against FC Cincinnati last weekend and looked to finish off the first half of the season with a win against the number one team in the Western Conference.

Mikey Varas had only a couple of changes to the starting lineup before the match kicked off. Luca Bombino started on the bench and was replaced with Kieran Sargeant. In goal, CJ Dos Santos made his return after healing from injury, replacing Duran Ferree.

Pedro Soma made another start in the center midfield position with Anibal Godoy not available due to nursing an injury.

Vancouver Whitecaps were without start goalkeeper, Yohei Takaoka after he picked up a red card in the last match. The always-dangerous Brian White started as striker while the German legend, Thomas Muller captained the team from the center midfielder position. U.S. national team member, Sebastian Berhalter started alongside Muller in the defensive mid position.

First Half

The game started out a bit shaky for both teams. Dos Santos was tested early with a low shot to the right corner of the goal, forcing him to make a diving save. On the other side of the field, the backup Whitecaps goalkeeper, Isaac Boehmer showed a bit of nervousness as he gave away possession in the danger area, although San Diego couldn't do much with the chance.

In what felt like a desperate push for three points, SDFC continued to play at a relentless pace. The home side committed numbers forward in an aggressive high press while also recovering quickly in transition. It was clear that Varas was determined to close out the first half of the season with a win and keep the club in the playoff race.

The chase for points got a little tougher for SDFC in the 30th minute.

Thomas Muller found space unmarked at the top of the box and brought down a lofted pass with one touch before driving into the area. He then slipped a low cross across goal, where Brian White arrived to finish first-time into the back of the net.

Vancouver kept pressing and found little pockets of space with delicate passes over the top. Tate Johnson received a pass in the box and brought the ball down right in front of White who finished with an accurate placed shot into the corner of the net.

The first half ended 2-0 after SDFC seemed to be just one touch away from a breakthrough. So many chances were squandered due to a sloppy last pass or a mis hit shot. Mikey Varas' team continued to struggle in clearing the ball out of the danger area – most importantly, being first to the ball and winning 50/50 challenges.

Second Half

Whatever Varas told the team at halftime – worked.

SDFC came out with immense pressure from the opening whistle and it paid off. Oscar Verhoeven dribbled up the right flank and found Andres Dreyer int he middle. The crafty Dane looked up and provided a wonderful pass to David Vazquez who put SDFC on the scoresheet with a great strike from outside of the penalty area in the 53rd minute to make it 1-2.

Luca Bombino replaced Sargeant at half and made his presence known right away. Dribbling up the field on the left, Bombino sent in a beautiful cross that skimmed off of Marcus Ingvartsen's head right in front of goal.

In the 64th minute, Pedro Soma took a heavy touch and lost the ball to a strong challenge. Muller collected the ball and dribbled straight toward the center of the box. He laid a pass off to the right side where White slipped a wonderful low cross into the substitute Bruno Caicedo, who finished with a quick shot past a diving Dos Santos to make it 3-1.

The game turned ugly when Bombino received his second yellow card in the 72nd minute and SDFC were left to finish the match with 10 men, once again. Bombino will miss SDFC's first game following the World Cup break.

Only moments later, Berhalter floated in a cross after a quickly taken corner kick, White headed it down and Ralph Priso-Mbongue tapped it into the back of the net to make it 4-1.

Perhaps the silver lining of the night was young Bryan Zamble showing San Diego what he's capable of. The speedy youngster made a dashing run through the left side of the Vancouver defense and received a through ball from Dreyer, Zamble quickly finished the chance into the back of the net to make it 2-4.

The Big Picture

While SDFC won the possession battle, they were outshot on target by the Whitecaps 12-3. The big story is the lack of chances on goal by SDFC this game. Simply put, San Diego was not effective enough at creating big opportunities and putting themselves in a situation to be competitive in front of the net. Their 0.73 xG backs that sentiment.

Vancouver, on the other hand, were very dangerous. They posted a 4.53 xG while also doubling SDFC's total shots 21-11. Brian White continues to be a menace in front of goal when he plays San Diego, finishing with two goals and two assists – earning him Man of the Match honors.

San Diego FC will go into the World Cup break in 10th place with a 4-6-5 record, earning them 17 out of a possible 45 points. Varas mentioned that the club will be very active in the transfer window to bring in high quality players that will help the team finish the season strong with hopes of making it into the post season.

SDFC's next match takes place on July 22 against the Colorado Rapids.

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