Match Preview Presented by Ticketmaster: San Diego FC Continues Playoff Push Against LA Galaxy on Saturday

San Diego FC (SDFC) travels to Carson to face the LA Galaxy in MLS Regular Season action on Saturday, October 17, at Dignity Health Sports Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT, with live coverage on Apple TV and radio coverage on San Diego Sports 760 AM. 

 SDFC enters Saturday’s matchup with an 8-12-9 regular-season record (33 points) following a 3-3 draw against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night at Snapdragon Stadium. Wingers Anders Dreyer and forward Cédric Bakambu gave San Diego an early 2-0 lead, but Houston responded with three consecutive goals to take the advantage. Midfielder Gabriel Pirani scored in the 86th minute to secure a point for SDFC. 

With five matches remaining in the 2026 MLS Regular Season, SDFC sits in 12th place in the Western Conference with 33 points, five points below the current ninth-place team, which occupies the playoff line. San Diego will look to earn valuable points on the road as the Club continues its push for a spot in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs. 

Saturday’s match marks the second meeting between SDFC and the LA Galaxy this season. San Diego won the first matchup, earning a 3-1 victory at Snapdragon Stadium and extending its unbeaten record against the Galaxy to 3-0-0 in MLS Regular Season play. 

SDFC Looks to Build on Late Equalizer 

SDFC enters Saturday’s contest following a hard-fought 3-3 draw against Houston, in which the Club rallied late to earn a point at home. After taking a two-goal lead through Dreyer’s penalty kick and Bakambu’s finish, San Diego found itself trailing 3-2 before Pirani’s late equalizer secured the draw. 

Dreyer scored his 12th goal of the season against Houston, bringing his total to 25 goal contributions (12 goals, 13 assists) in the 2026 campaign. The Danish winger is now tied with forward Marcus Ingvartsen for the team lead in goals scored. 

Bakambu also found the scoresheet against Houston, recording his third goal of the season and scoring in consecutive matches for SDFC. Pirani’s equalizer marked his third goal of the campaign, while midfielder Onni Valakari recorded his ninth assist of the season on Bakambu’s goal. 

San Diego will look to carry its attacking momentum into Saturday’s road matchup as it continues its push in the Western Conference standings. 

SDFC Maintains Unbeaten Record Against LA Galaxy 

San Diego enters Saturday’s match with a 3-0-0 all-time regular season record against the Galaxy. SDFC earned a 2-0 victory in its inaugural MLS match on February 23, 2025, at Dignity Health Sports Park before securing a 2-1 home win on May 24, 2025. The Club continued its success against its Southern California rival with a 3-1 victory at Snapdragon Stadium earlier this season. 

SDFC will look to extend its unbeaten run against the Galaxy while earning three points on the road during the final stretch of the regular season. 

SDFC Official Watch Party Presented by Jameson 

SDFC fans can gather with the Club’s community at Hasta Mañana Cantina in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp District for the Official Watch Party presented by Jameson on Saturday, October 17. The event will run from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. PT, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. More information about the watch party can be found HERE