Alvarado 'embodies relentless never-say-die attitude', says Varas

San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas believes Alejandro Alvarado "embodies that relentless never-say-die attitude", following his return from injury.

Alvarado was sidelined for 13 months after suffering a knee injury, but he marked his first start back in style, scoring the winner against FC Dallas on July 25.

The 23-year-old also registered an assist in their Leagues Cup win over Tijuana, and San Diego now return to MLS action this weekend with a tough test away to Los Angeles FC.

Varas praised the resiliency of Alvarado, who celebrated with his head coach after scoring against Dallas.

"He's a top guy, and we go way back. I think I was a little bit more in the way than it was exactly directed to me," Varas said when asked about the hug he shared with Alvardo following his goal.

"I know that he was really grateful of Paulina [Maldonado] and Cari [Stankaitis] and the rest of the medical staff who helped him make a comeback from what happened last year, and it's been a hard year for him.

"And he embodies that relentless never-say-die attitude."

LAFC will be no easy task for San Diego, with Marc dos Santos' side currently second in the Western Conference and level on points with leaders Vancouver Whitecaps.

LAFC narrowly missed out on reaching the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup, despite a 1-0 win over Toluca and penalty shoot-out victories over Guadalajara and Queretaro.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Los Angeles FC – Son Heung-min

Son has scored in four straight regular-season matches since returning from the World Cup break, his second such streak with Los Angeles FC.

Only three LAFC players have scored in five straight league matches: Carlos Vela (streaks of 10 and five), Denis Bouanga (two streaks of six) and Cristian Arango.

San Diego FC – Anders Dreyer

Dreyer scored on the road in San Diego’s last regular season game, a 1-1 draw at Minnesota United.

It was Dreyer’s 20th road goal since the start of last season, with only Lionel Messi (23 goals) having scored more road goals in MLS in that time.

MATCH PREDICTION – LOS ANGELES FC WIN

LAFC's most recent regular-season match at home was a 4-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City on July 25. LAFC have won five of their seven home matches during the 2026 regular season by multiple goals, tied for the most in MLS with Vancouver.

LAFC also earned their first point against San Diego in regular-season play on May 2 with a 2-2 draw, after losing the two meetings in 2025, including a 2–1 home defeat.

LAFC have lost consecutive home regular-season matches against a single opponent once in team history (versus Houston in 2023–2024).

Since winning their road opener on March 8 against Kansas City, San Diego are winless on the road in regular-season play across their last seven games (D3 L4), after winning 13 of their first 18 road matches in the regular season (D1 L4).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Los Angeles FC – 57.9%

Draw – 21.9%

San Diego FC – 20.2%