SDFC's inaugural season is off to a dreamy start

I have a feeling that there is a percentage of Section 1904 readers that really don't care about San Diego FC.

I don't know why, but maybe I feel that way because enough people in my real life have looked at me suspiciously when I bring up the club. Maybe it's because soccer has always been more popular in other countries than it is here, or because MLS isn't the world's top soccer league.Maybe it's simply because I haven't been around for the start of a major-league expansion club before. I imagine it takes some time.

Darren and I, as two soccer fans that have been waiting for the day when an MLS club in San Diego could be a reality, are certainly living inside of a bubble of sorts. Maybe everyone else will catch up. And maybe I'm not giving those of you in the Section enough credit.

Either way, SDFC (4-2-1) is in the midst of one of those expansion season that gets talked about for a generation by every team that tries to copy it. They're currently 2nd place in the Western Conference a little more than 20% of the way through the regular season schedule, and nothing about this seems fluky.

San Diego FC is...

• 1st in the Western Conference in goals scored (13)
• 4th in the Western Conference in goals allowed (6)
• Tied for 1st in the Western Conference in goal difference (+7)

And before you go thinking I'm picking on the Western Conference, SDFC would rank 3rd, 6th and tied for 1st (in the same categories) if you looked at all 30 MLS teams.

They are, legitimately, one of the best teams in the league and have proven it over their first seven games with convincing wins over legendary MLS squads like LA Galaxy, LAFC and the Seattle Sounders.

San Diego FC have found more success with their defensive backline than anyone expected, the midfielders have been so effective that opposing teams have started swarming their defense around them, and the goal-scorers on the front line look a lot more dangerous with Hirving "Chucky" Lozano back in the starting lineup after missing time with a hamstring injury.

Mikey Varas, who is only two years older than the author of this post, has been putting on a coaching clinic in these games and seems ready to make an immediate jump into the conversation of MLS's best.

Tyler Heaps, San Diego FC's Sporting Director and General Manager, also deserves credit for quickly building a roster that has struck the right balance of youthful talent, veteran leadership and star power. The race is on for him to build a little more depth to handle the rigors of a full season, but he's already shown that SDFC is in good hands with him making those types of decisions.

After two weeks at home, San Diego FC goes back on the road to play against the Colorado Rapids next Saturday. We'll see if Chucky, who finally got his first MLS goal last night, can keep up that goal-scoring momentum in Denver.