Mikey Varas Tactics At San Diego FC 2025: MLS Newcomers Rapid Rise – Tactical Analysis

MLS newcomers San Diego FC currently sit second in the Western Conference.

The West Coast side have been mightily impressive in their inaugural season.

They have the second-best attacking and defensive records in the league, as well as having won as many fixtures as the first-placed Vancouver Whitecaps.

Whilst the club have been visibly ambitious in their approach towards recruitment, arguably the biggest provocateur of this success is head coach, Mikey Varas.

Varas arrived in San Diego with a very impressive pedigree, gained from stints as USMNT Interim boss and a successful coaching period at FC Dallas.

That being said, as an MLS head coach, many questions over his potential to bring success could have arisen.

This tactical analysis will examine the strategies implemented by the 42-year-old American and consider what has made Mikey Varas style of play so difficult to compete against this season.

San Diego FC Starting XI

San Diego typically set up in a standard 4-3-3 formation, as visualised below.

Varas heavily prefers this formation due to its flexibility, which is utilised in both attack and defence, as we will analyse in more detail later in the article.

Varas is eager to rotate personnel minimally and likes maintaining a stable core to his lineup.