San Diego FC Loses Intense Battle at Home After Late Comeback from Houston Dynamo

Returning to a packed Snapdragon Stadium after a successful away run, San Diego FC took the pitch on Saturday, July 5, to face off against the determined Houston Dynamo in a match that proved to be a dramatic, high-energy showdown from start to finish. With fans eager to see their team back on home turf for the first time in nearly a month, the atmosphere was electric as San Diego looked to defend their top spot in the MLS Western Conference.

San Diego entered the game with confidence after overtaking the Vancouver Whitecaps in the standings. Aníbal Godoy and Paddy McNair were reinstated in the starting lineup, while Hirving “Chucky” Lozano remained on the bench, still recovering from an injury. Alex Mighten filled in once again on the left wing, and with Luca de la Torre away with the USMNT, Onni Valakari returned to his preferred midfield position in the starting eleven.

The game opened with Houston pressing aggressively. An early cross from their left side created chaos in San Diego’s defense, narrowly missing the goal guarded by CJ dos Santos. Houston continued with a flurry of attacks, but San Diego found their rhythm once Godoy and Mads Tverskov slowed the pace and stabilized the midfield.

In the 24th minute, Anders Dreyer switched the play with a pinpoint long ball to Luca Bombino on the left flank. Bombino delivered a sharp cross into the box, where Valakari set it up for Milan Iloski, who confidently slotted the ball home—his 10th goal of the season—giving San Diego the lead and igniting the home crowd.

Despite the momentum, San Diego couldn’t rest. In the 36th minute, Lawrence Ennali exploited a gap in the defense, sprinting through on a counterattack. Dos Santos rushed out, but Ennali remained composed and struck the equalizer, bringing the score to 1-1. As both teams traded chances, Franco Escobar curled a stunning shot past Dos Santos in first-half stoppage time, handing Houston the lead just before the break.

San Diego returned from the locker room determined to shift the momentum. Immediately, Bombino connected with Iloski, who had a clear chance, but Jonathan Bond, Houston’s goalkeeper, made a crucial save. San Diego's pressure paid off when a free kick from Dreyer was skillfully flicked by Valakari and headed on by Tverskov, setting up Bombino for a spectacular acrobatic volley that leveled the score.

With the match back at 2-2, Coach Mikey Varas introduced Lozano and Ian Pilcher, bringing fresh energy to both the attack and the defense. Lozano immediately impacted the game, drawing a tactical foul on the left side and nearly scoring just minutes later with a curling shot that was tipped wide by Bond.

San Diego's attacking force became relentless. Lozano chipped a perfectly weighted ball to Tverskov, who found Valakari inside the box. With help from Dreyer, Valakari converted the opportunity, restoring San Diego’s lead and sending fans into a frenzy.

But Houston wasn’t done. After earning a free kick, Ezequiel Ponce found the net with a powerful strike. However, the goal was disallowed after Duane Holmes was ruled offside during the build-up following a VAR review. San Diego responded with another dangerous attack, with Lozano narrowly missing the goal again.

Tensions peaked late in the match when Ponce stormed downfield and collided with Dos Santos at the edge of the penalty area. The clash left Dos Santos bleeding heavily from the nose, but the referee pointed to the spot and showed him a yellow card. Ponce took the penalty and calmly scored, tying the game at 3-3.

With 17 minutes of stoppage time added due to the injury, San Diego pushed forward with everything they had. Varas brought on striker Tomás Ángel for Godoy in a final bid for victory. Defender Chris McVey surged forward, while Iloski dropped deep to help defend. But Houston seized one final chance. In the dying minutes, Ponce found space once more and fired a low shot into the corner, sealing a dramatic win for Houston at the last moment.

The final whistle blew with San Diego FC falling short despite a strong performance and a late comeback effort. The match ended San Diego 3, Houston 4, in a contest filled with emotion, injuries, and unforgettable moments.