Western Conference leaders SDFC visit Southern California rivals LAFC in their first-ever trip to BMO Stadium, looking to extend perfect California record and continue historic inaugural season
Western Conference leaders SDFC look to extend their perfect California record on Sunday, Aug. 31. Kickoff for Sunday’s match is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. PT, with live coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as English and Spanish radio broadcasts on San Diego Sports 760 AM and TUDN 1700 AM.
First-Ever Trip to BMO Stadium
SDFC (16-7-5, 53 points) heads south to face Southern California rivals LAFC (11-6-8, 41 points) in what will be the Club’s inaugural visit to BMO Stadium. The highly anticipated matchup marks the second meeting of the season between the two clubs, with LAFC set to feature the home debut of star forward Son Heung-Min. In their first clash on March 29 at Snapdragon Stadium, SDFC earned a thrilling 3-2 victory behind goals from Christopher McVey, Onni Valakari, and Alex Mighten.
SDFC Riding Historic Form
San Diego enters the matchup fresh off a 0-0 home draw against the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Aug. 23, which secured the Club’s first-ever berth in the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. The expansion side became the fastest in MLS history to clinch a postseason spot in its debut season (28 matches), surpassing the 2009 Seattle Sounders (29 matches), excluding the shortened 2020 season.
SDFC leads the Western Conference with 53 points and a 16-7-5 record, while sitting second in the Supporters’ Shield race behind the Philadelphia Union (53 points). The Club also sits just four points shy of LAFC’s expansion points record of 57, set in 2018. With a perfect 4-0-0 record against California MLS teams this season, SDFC looks to continue its dominance in the Golden State.
Key stats from the last match against Portland:
- SDFC held 62% possession and completed 627 passes vs. Portland’s 335, leading MLS in passes completed (14,669).
- CJ Dos Santos recorded his ninth MLS clean sheet of the season.
- Defender Manu Duah earned Man of the Match honors in his sixth MLS start.
- Newcomers Corey Baird, Leo Duru and Amahl Pellegrino made their SDFC debuts.
What’s at Stake
With San Diego FC already qualified for the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, the club now looks to finish the season at the top of the Western Conference to secure home-field advantage throughout the postseason. A win against LAFC would also allow SDFC to tie the MLS expansion record for wins in a debut season (17, set by St. Louis CITY SC in 2023), further cementing the Club’s historic inaugural campaign. Beyond the record books, SDFC remains in the thick of the Supporters’ Shield race, sitting just one point behind the Philadelphia Union with six regular season matches remaining. Sunday’s Southern California showdown offers the perfect opportunity for the expansion side to extend its perfect record against California rivals while staying in the Supporters’ Shield race.
Scouting LAFC
LAFC comes into Sunday’s matchup following a 1-1 draw on the road against FC Dallas on Saturday, Aug. 23. The Black & Gold sit in fifth place in the Western Conference and will look to make an impact in front of their home fans as Son Heung-Min makes his home debut for the club.
San Diego Watch Party
Join SDFC for Official Watch Parties at Fairplay (4036 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104 – all ages welcome) and Bluefoot Bar & Lounge (3404 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104 – 21+) as the team takes on LAFC. The events will run from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. PT. Fans can enjoy a live DJ, raffles, giveaways, and more. The first 100 to RSVP will receive a complimentary drink ticket – limit one per person. Fans interested in attending can RSVP HERE.
