One big transfer need for San Diego FC before the primary window closes | OneFootball

San Diego FC has exceeded expectations through eight games of its inaugural MLS season, not only earning more good results than bad but doing so with considerable style.

But both their defeats thus far -- 2-1 at Austin a few weeks ago and 3-2 at Colorado on Saturday -- showed that sometimes it can be helpful to have a more direct Plan B when coming from behind.

For all the attacking prowess SDFC has shown -- scoring 15 times through eight matches -- they're doing so without a traditional target forward.

And San Diego is balanced enough elsewhere that they could afford to look for one to add before the primary window closes on April 23, albeit a player whose cost and ability would make him more of an alternative off the bench rather than a regular starter.

A super sub?

This shouldn't be a Designated Player signing -- and at this time of year, DP-caliber strikers aren't exactly readily available anyway. But maybe there's a younger prospect abroad whom SDFC has an eye on who could be signed as a high-upside project on a U-22 initiative deal. Or maybe there's a striker at the USL Championship level looking to prove they can achieve on the level of the American first tier.

MLS used to have more of these kinds of target men: Alan Gordon, Kenny Cooper, Nate Jaqua and so on. And the scoring success of Christian Benteke -- even on a mediocre D.C. United team -- shows how much value there can still be to having an old-fashioned target man.

Of course, Benteke is a far higher caliber of striker than we're discussing for San Diego signing. But he's proof of concept that, despite all the tactical advancements in the game, there's still a benefit to having a ruthless ball-winner in the box.

If Varas had someone of that description to send on late in the games his team is trailing, San Diego might even have a couple more points to their impressive total.