- San Diego FC have won 1, drawn 3 and lost 1 of their last 5 matches
- FC Dallas have won 4 of their last 5 games, losing once
- FC Dallas are unbeaten in their last 3 away games
Tight game at Snapdragon Stadium
San Diego FC sit 21st in the MLS 2026 standings with 17 points from 15 games, but they have been on a run of 1-3-1 across their last 5 fixtures, which has kept them in the mix.
Their 2 most recent games were both at home and resulted in a 3-3 draw with FC Cincinnati and a 2-4 defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps, which indicates that San Diego still have some defensive issues to fix.
However, the hosts have scored 23 goals in 9 home games in MLS 2026, so they can trade blows and have a good go at FC Dallas in Sunday's Western Conference clash.
FC Dallas have been strong on their travels
Dallas are 12 places and 8 points above San Diego, sitting 9th in MLS 2026, and they have been in good form of late, winning 4 of their last 5 MLS 2026 matches.
The Texas-based side come into this matchup fresh off a 3-2 away win over San Jose Earthquakes, that following a 2-1 road win over Colorado Rapids, making them a team with some serious momentum.
Eric Quill's 3-at-the-back system is ideal for the counter-attacking style Dallas look to play, so the visitors will look to stay compact, soak up pressure and punish San Diego on the break via their pacey wingbacks.
San Diego can make their mark
However, Mikey Varas' San Diego FC will not sit back and simply allow Dallas the chance to counter. The hosts play a high-intensity, passing game where they press the ball in the final third and it can be devastating if they keep the ball moving.
San Diego are the slight favourites in the betting at 21/20, while the visitors are 21/10 and the draw is 14/5, which seems a little bit wrong considering that Dallas have 4 wins and 2 losses from their 6 away MLS 2026 games.
The two previous head-to-head meetings have seen one win for San Diego and one draw, with the most recent meeting ending in a 3-3 draw in Dallas in MLS 2026, so the home side do have a little something to go on.
Ingvartsen is top scorer
Marcus Ingvartsen is San Diego's top scorer with 11 goals in 15 MLS 2026 appearances, but he has 6 goals in his last 5 games, making him the team's main outlet in the last third.
Petar Musa has scored 12 goals in 13 games for FC Dallas in MLS 2026, making him the top scorer for FC Dallas, but Anders Dreyer's 4 assists in San Diego's last 5 matches indicates that the possession-based hosts should be able to hurt Dallas through the thirds.
Over 2.5 goals, which is 2/5, is not tempting enough, but both teams to score at 19/50 has the look of a winner, given how open the game will be with the home attack against Dallas' superior form.
A San Diego edge or draw is the most likely outcome, but Dallas' road form means they can nick the result here, so the tie is a good punt.
