San Diego FC showcased their depth and resilience on June 7, 2025, at Snapdragon Stadium, delivering a commanding 3-0 victory over Liga MX powerhouse Club América in a friendly match that drew a crowd of 30,916 fans. Despite missing six key players to international duty and three sidelined due to injury, head coach Mikey Varas orchestrated a fresh lineup that not only held its own but dominated one of Mexico’s most storied clubs.
The match was a testament to San Diego FC’s growing stature in Major League Soccer and their ambition on the international stage. Club América, founded in 1916 and boasting 16 league titles, arrived with a heavily rotated squad, many players sporting triple-digit jersey numbers, reflecting the absence of first-team regulars resting or on international call-ups ahead of the Liga MX season starting the following month. Yet, even with this patchwork team, the Mexican side’s reputation and history loomed large.
From the opening whistle, San Diego FC asserted themselves with intensity and organization. Within five minutes, they launched four promising attempts on goal, testing Club América’s goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota, who managed to keep the scoreline level early on. The San Diego side adapted dynamically, moving Manu Duah from centre-back to his natural defensive midfield role, while Jasper Loeffelsend shifted from midfield to right-back, a tactical adjustment that disrupted Club América’s rhythm and possession.
Debutants Pablo Sisniega, Manu Duah, and Heine Gikling Bruseth impressed the home crowd with confident performances. Sisniega, in goal for the first time this season, commanded his area effectively, often rushing off his line to stifle opposition attacks. Bruseth’s midfield runs and incisive passing energized San Diego’s forward line, while Duah’s versatility shone both defensively and during counterattacks.
The breakthrough came with just ten minutes remaining in the first half. Loeffelsend’s forward pass found Milan Iloski, the Escondido native and forward on loan from FC Nordsjaelland, who executed a precise left-footed shot that curved past Cota into the left corner of the net, igniting the stadium and giving San Diego a deserved 1-0 lead at halftime.
As the second half unfolded, Club América sought to respond but were continually thwarted by the youthful San Diego center-back pairing of Duah and Ian Pilcher. The visitors’ disjointed lineup struggled to coordinate attacks, allowing San Diego to maintain control and press forward. In the 63rd minute, Iloski doubled his tally, expertly positioning himself to finish a cross from right-back Oscar Verhoeven, who had come into the match as part of Varas’s substitutions. This goal, a well-placed shot just inside the crossbar, underscored Iloski’s clinical finishing and growing confidence.
Varas continued to manage his squad with strategic substitutions, bringing on seasoned midfielder Ingvartsen and first-time San Diego player Anisse Saidi to replace Alejandro Alvarado and Verhoeven, respectively. Loeffelsend returned to his customary backline position, while Emmanuel Boateng replaced Alex Mighten to inject fresh energy into the attack. However, Saidi’s promising debut was cut short by an apparent injury, leading to Chris McVey’s introduction at the 80th minute. This allowed Duah to advance into his preferred defensive midfield spot, further stabilizing the midfield.
The final goal came in the 77th minute when Tomás Ángel delivered a stunning free kick from just outside the box, curling the ball into the upper right corner of the net. This goal punctuated San Diego FC’s dominance and sealed a comprehensive 3-0 victory over the Mexican giants.
Throughout the match, San Diego’s high-pressing, possession-oriented style was evident, reflecting the team’s philosophy even when fielding a largely new lineup. Coach Varas emphasized the importance of maintaining competitive spirit regardless of the match’s friendly status, stating, “I know it’s called a friendly. There’s no such thing as a friendly. If you’re going to put your boots on, you want to win the game. We feel like that even in training sessions. Club América is a historically massive club. They come here, it doesn’t matter, we want to win the game. It’s our home and we want to win in front of our fans and play exciting football.”
Iloski echoed this sentiment, sharing, “It’s an amazing feeling. A night like tonight where we’re missing a lot of players. I know it’s a friendly but for me it’s an opportunity to play some minutes and prove to the staff that I can be trusted for more minutes. I know I don’t have long left here on my loan, but I want to show while I’m here. … It’s an opportunity for me to play games and show what I bring to the team.”
The atmosphere inside Snapdragon Stadium was electric, with San Diego fans vocally supporting their team throughout, while Club América supporters, though present in large numbers and occupying designated sections with significant security presence, had limited moments to cheer. The heightened security measures, including additional private security and San Diego State University police officers, were precautionary, stemming from past incidents during matches involving Los Angeles MLS clubs. Fortunately, no violent incidents were reported during this match.
San Diego FC’s goalkeeper Sisniega had a relatively calm evening, facing only a handful of shots, with Club América’s first shot arriving as late as the 74th minute and a save required in the 79th. This defensive solidity, combined with the team’s offensive prowess, underscored the comprehensive nature of their performance.
This friendly victory, while not impacting MLS standings, reinforces San Diego FC’s position as a rising force. Currently sitting second in the MLS Western Conference with a 9-5-3 record, the club looks ahead to a challenging stretch of fixtures, including upcoming road matches against Minnesota on June 14, the Vancouver Whitecaps on June 25, and FC Dallas on June 28. Their next home game is slated for July 5 against the Houston Dynamo.
San Diego FC’s partnership with Club América includes a second friendly scheduled for 2027 at Snapdragon Stadium, promising more exciting cross-border soccer engagements in the future.
Despite the absence of star player Chucky Lozano due to a recurring left hamstring injury, San Diego FC’s depth and determination were on full display. The team’s ability to integrate debutants and maintain their playing style bodes well for the remainder of the season and their aspirations beyond MLS.
As the fireworks lit up the San Diego sky at the final whistle, the message was clear: San Diego FC is not just competing—they’re making a statement on the international soccer stage.
