San Diego FC continue their MLS playoff campaign

Driving the news: The single elimination game kicks off at 7pm at Snapdragon Stadium, where fans are encouraged to wear blue.

• Get last-minute tickets ($100+), try to walk in to the sold-out watch party or catch the game at more than 75 local bars and restaurants. It'll be on Apple TV.
• Fans can also drop off donations for the team's holiday food drive outside the stadium.

Between the lines: These two teams battled for first place in the Western Conference all season with opposite styles of play that helped each of them find the back of the net.

• They went 1-1 against each other in the regular season, both winning at the opponent's field.

What's next: The league recently announced the 2026 season schedule and major changes to the calendar starting in 2027.

• SDFC will start next season with two home matches — Feb. 22 vs. CF Montreal and March 1 vs. St. Louis City SC.
• There will be a month-long break over June and July for the FIFA World Cup.

Zoom out: Starting in 2027, the MLS is shifting to a summer-spring calendar so the season will start later in the year.

• The move will align MLS with most of world soccer, take the playoffs out of football season, avoid disruptive international breaks and improve player transfer logistics, Axios' Andrew King writes.