San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas says Alejandro Alvarado has returned from a 13-month injury absence with the “relentless never-say-die attitude” that his team will need when it visits Los Angeles FC.

Alvarado makes immediate impact

Alvarado was sidelined for 13 months after suffering a knee injury, but marked his first start back by scoring the winning goal against FC Dallas on July 25. He then added an assist in San Diego’s Leagues Cup victory over Tijuana.

Varas recalled the emotional celebration after the Dallas goal, when Alvarado embraced his head coach. The San Diego boss said the midfielder was particularly grateful to the medical staff who helped him through a difficult year.

“He’s a top guy, and we go way back,” Varas said. “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 pose a major road challenge

San Diego return to MLS action seeking to close the gap on the Western Conference playoff positions, but face a Los Angeles FC side sitting second and level on points with leaders Vancouver Whitecaps.

LAFC’s latest regular-season home match ended in a 4-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City. The club has won five of its seven home league matches this season by multiple goals, matching Vancouver for the most such victories in MLS.

LAFC also earned a point in the teams’ most recent regular-season meeting, a 2-2 draw on May 2. San Diego won both meetings in 2025, including a 2-1 victory in Los Angeles.

Players to watch

Los Angeles FC: Son Heung-min has scored in four consecutive regular-season matches since returning from the World Cup break. Only Carlos Vela, Denis Bouanga and Cristian Arango have previously scored in five straight league matches for LAFC.

San Diego FC: Anders Dreyer scored in San Diego’s last regular-season road match, a 1-1 draw at Minnesota United. His 20 away goals since the start of last season trail only Lionel Messi’s 23 in MLS during that span.

Prediction favors the hosts

San Diego’s away form remains a concern. Since winning its road opener against Kansas City on March 8, the club has gone seven regular-season away matches without a win, recording three draws and four defeats.

Opta gives Los Angeles FC a 57.9% chance of victory, compared with 21.9% for a draw and 20.2% for a San Diego win.