San Diego FC fell in its second of three scheduled exhibition games at the Coachella Valley Invitational, falling 3-0 to the Portland Timbers on Wednesday at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
Major League Soccer’s newest franchise surrendered a Felipe Mora goal in the 14th minute to fall behind 1-0. The score remained that way until the final 10 minutes of the match, when Gage Guerra scored twice to put SDFC away. In the 81st minute, Guerra collected Arriel Lassiter’s cross and, using his right foot, put his shot into the back of the next. Guerra scored again three minutes later from the top of the 18-yard box.
San Diego got scoring chances from Onni Valakari and Chucky Lozano, but was unable to convert.
“Positive takeaways… you can see the team already has an identity,” SDFC coach Mikey Varas said. “You can see in these two games we were able to move the opponent a lot, we were able to have a lot of the ball, we were able to create breakthrough moments where we were attacking their goal, so it’s not just possession for the sake of the possession and so that’s what I would say is one of the biggest takeaways and there is commitment, pure commitment to the style of play, which is great.”
The club plays its final exhibition at 10 a.m. Saturday against the New York Red Bulls. The match will be streamed SDFC’s mobile app.
Tems s ownership group
SDFC announced Wednesday morning that two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Tems has ed the club’s ownership group.
The Nigerian-born Tems has been named a club partner, ing actress Issa Rae, World Cup winner Juan Mata, retired U.S. Navy SEAL Jocko Willink and others.
“I am thrilled to San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community,” Tems said. “Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
