The segment of the San Diego FC roster that coach Mikey Varas chose to field in Tuesday’s Baja Cup friendly against Club Tijuana seized the moment, coming back for a 4-2 victory.
“We set an individual challenge for each player to prove themselves,” Varas remarked. “Demonstrate who you are. The best way to do that is by playing with the intensity that contributes to the team’s success.”
In front of a vibrant and somewhat divided crowd of 29,171 at Snapdragon Stadium, SDFC netted goals in the 76th and 83rd minutes.
Fireworks lit up the night, as the faction of the audience in Xolos red and black, who had been cheering a 2-1 lead only minutes prior, were suddenly overshadowed by the home fans in blue.
David Vazquez first equalized, skillfully chasing down a cross and executing a sliding shot that found the back of the net.
Shortly after, Manu Duah headed in a goal from a set piece, giving SDFC its first lead of the evening.
The home team further dampened the Mexican Independence Day festivities for their guests in the 88th minute.
A breakaway goal from Lamine Sadio, a promising player from SDFC’s Right to Dream international academy, wrapped up a thrilling 15-minute sequence.
Sadio’s appearance was part of Varas’ “double mission” to keep SDFC ready for their return to Major League Soccer action on Saturday in Atlanta, as they maintain their pursuit of the MLS Cup, currently at the top of the Western Conference.
“This game allowed us to expand our squad and increase its depth,” Varas stated. “We had to separate the group for a few days… It was a fantastic experience, and the players truly showed up.”
Varas deployed a split lineup on Tuesday, with notable absences including Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, Anders Dreyer, and Onni Valakari, who did not participate in the inaugural friendly against Club Tijuana.
Alex Mighten was among those who rose to the occasion, scoring SDFC’s first goal of the match. In the 15th minute, he deftly maneuvered through defenders before taking a left-footed shot that slipped through.
This marked Mighten’s first goal in any match since March, leveling the score at 1-1.
Midfielder Emmanuel Boateng also made a significant impact throughout the game. San Diego native Duran Ferree earned Varas’ commendation for his strong performance as a goalkeeper after entering the match.
According to Varas, Ferree had trained well, but Tuesday was crucial to ascertain whether he was ready: “The only way to truly evaluate a player is in front of a crowd of over 20,000.”
The Xolos struck first, with Brazilian forward Vitinho scoring in the fifth minute following a rapid exchange of plays.
Vitinho noticed SDFC goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega out of position and expertly lofted a shot from nearly midfield, which sailed perfectly into the center of the goal.
The match’s first action was set early on by Club Tijuana’s Adonis Stalin Preciado Quintero, who intercepted a wayward pass just 63 seconds in but narrowly missed with his shot.
Preciado nearly contributed to another goal later in the first half when his cross found a leaping Joban González, but González’s attempt flew just over the crossbar, keeping the score at 1-1 for the time being.
Club Tijuana’s lead finally came in the 53rd minute, when Christian Castillo seized an opportunity and unleashed a shot from the top of the box, breaking the long deadlock.
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