FC Dallas v San Diego FC: Visitors harnessing ´warrior mentality´

San Diego FC defender Luca Bombino hailed the side’s “warrior mentality” as they continued their fantastic start to the season with a Champions Cup win over Toluca FC.

LIGA MX champions Toluca went ahead in the 16th minute of a frantic clash on Wednesday, with Marcus Ingvartsen having already seen red for San Diego.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, San Diego rallied to lead 3-1, though they went down to nine men when Manu Duah was sent off, with Helinho’s late penalty meaning it finished 3-2.

San Diego’s focus now switches back to MLS, and a trip to face FC Dallas.

“We talked about having a warrior mentality and a fighting team spirit,” said San Diego defender Luca Bombino.

“If this game wasn’t an example of that, I don’t know what is. It’s part of our core values, and I’m really proud of the way we represented that.”

San Diego have won all three of their league games this term, and are one of four teams with a perfect record.

Dallas, meanwhile, have picked up four points from the nine on offer.

“We try to maintain the level that we showed last year into this year as well and build on it,” said San Diego star Anders Dreyer, reflecting on the win over Toluca.

“The way we, as a team, got together after a red card early in the game and conceded a penalty at 1-0 was great to see. The way we fight is something that I’m proud to be a part of.”

Se acabó.

Gracias San Diego. pic.twitter.com/iuU8TwKqim

— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) March 12, 2026

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Musa attempted six shots in Dallas’ loss to Los Angeles FC last week.

The forward has taken at least three shots in seven straight regular-season appearances dating back to last season, the longest streak by a Dallas player since Maxi Urruti (seven straight) in 2018.

San Diego – Anders Dreyer

Dreyer scored the lone goal for San Diego in their win at Sporting Kansas City last time out in MLS.

It was the 25th different regular-season match in which Dreyer contributed to at least one goal since his MLS bow, one more than Lionel Messi for most in the league in that time.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

San Diego have kept three clean sheets in MLS so far. They are one of three teams to have done so while also winning all their games, along with LAFC and the San Jose Earthquakes.

Including last season’s playoffs, Dallas are unbeaten in eight straight home matches (W5 D3).

Prior to this, Dallas had not gone more than two straight home matches without defeat since July 2024.

San Diego won both meetings with Dallas last season by a combined score of 8-2.

Dreyer was involved in five of San Diego’s eight goals in those matches (two goals, three assists).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Dallas – 34.1%

Draw – 25.8%

San Diego – 40.1%