San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas insisted he is not worried about the number of absentees from his team.

During their 4-3 loss to the Houston Dynamo last time out, San Diego were missing at least six players due to injury or international duty.

Heading into their next game against the Chicago Fire, Varas is still likely to be missing a minimum of five players to injury.

Despite their injury woes, San Diego have won four of their last six matches and are top of the Western Conference.

Varas believes the mentality of his San Diego team and their determination to win helped them over the last few matches.

“I think what we learned is that we are all united by our convictions and our efforts, that anything is possible,” said Varas.

“[If] we are missing guys, the next guy steps in with clarity, and conviction and with high intensity.

“There’s no excuse in the league to not be competitive, to not give yourself the best chance of winning.

“[The difference between] Winning and losing is a razor thin line, it is an edge that is so difficult to predict, but what you can do is make sure everyone is ready to you the best chance [of winning].

“We will always go for more. If we are winning a game 1-0, we will go for 2-0. If we have a 4-0 [lead], we want 5-0. We believe in scoring goals and going after the game.”

Chicago, who are ninth in the Eastern Conference, are going through a tough spell after just one win in four MLS matches and defeat in the US Open Cup quarter-finals.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Philip Zinckernagel

Zinckernagel has recorded 10 goal contributions since the start of May.

He is one of four MLS players with at least six goals and four assists in league play in that time, along with Lionel Messi, Evander and Anders Dreyer.

In total this season, Zinckernagel has nine goals and seven assists.

San Diego FC – Anders Dreyer

Dreyer has directly contributed to the most MLS goals this season, with nine goals and 13 assists.

The Danish forward has either scored or assisted in four of his last five matches for San Diego.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Despite a 4-3 loss to Houston in their last match, San Diego scored three goals in a match for the eighth time this season – tied for the most games with Inter Miami. San Diego have scored three or more goals in three straight road matches, with wins in all three.

Chicago and San Diego will be meeting for the first time. Chicago have lost once in their last nine home matches against California clubs (W5 D3), most recently with a 2-1 win over the Galaxy in June 2024.

Hosts Chicago have two wins, four draws, and three losses this season in nine MLS contests at Soldier Field. In league matches on the road this season, San Diego have six wins and four losses.

In their last six league matches, Chicago have won three and lost three. San Diego, meanwhile, have won four and lost two in their last six.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 34.5%

Draw – 25.8%

San Diego FC – 39.7%