San Diego FC did what no one expected from an MLS newcomer. With a 4–0 win over the Portland Timbers at Snapdragon Stadium, the California team secured a spot in the Western Conference semifinals of the 2025 MLS Cup and made history as the first expansion club to win a best-of-three series in the opening playoff round. Forwards Anders Dreyer and Amahl Pellegrino scored twice each, sealing the series 2–1. Now, SDFC will host Minnesota United FC at home on November 24.
A victory built on efficiency and control
The match began with San Diego playing sharp and focused. Just five minutes in, Dreyer opened the scoring with a left-footed strike off a cross from Onni Valakari, leaving goalkeeper James Pantemis with no chance. Twelve minutes later, Pellegrino doubled the lead, finishing the rebound from his own shot after a close-range save. Early in the second half, at the 53rd minute, the forward struck again, firing home from inside the box after a lofted pass from Baird. Dreyer closed the night at the 79th minute, tapping in a low cross from Hirving “Chucky” Lozano.
With the result, San Diego won the best-of-three series 2–1 and established itself as the most dominant expansion team in recent MLS history. SDFC outscored Portland 8–3 in the series and 12–3 across all five meetings this year, including regular season play.
“We want more,” said Mikey Varas
After the game, head coach Mikey Varas made it clear that the credit belongs to his players. “The key is always in the players,” he said. “These guys are giants and have worked incredibly hard. They started from zero, getting to know each other just 11 months ago, and what they did today shows how much they’ve grown.”
Varas also emphasized balance between celebrating and staying focused. “We have to celebrate the small wins. We can’t underestimate what it means to win playoff games and series, and tomorrow we’ll wake up 100 percent focused on Minnesota.”
Top seed San Diego now looks to become only the second expansion team to reach the Conference Final in its debut season, matching the Chicago Fire’s 1998 achievement. On the other side, fourth-seeded Minnesota United FC aims to reach the Conference Final for just the second time, after doing so in 2020.
Backed by 32,500 fans at Snapdragon Stadium, SDFC proved it doesn’t need tradition to command respect. In less than a year, the club has turned a new project into a competitive, consistent team. And as the coach said, the group wants more and has made it clear they’ve got the soccer to back it up.