San Diego FC made a bit of MLS history on Saturday, pulling off a 4–2 road win over the Houston Dynamo and reaching 60 points in their debut season. The result pushed the club to the top of the Western Conference and set a new record for an expansion team, breaking the 57-point mark LAFC set back in 2018.
With 18 wins, 9 losses, and 6 draws, Mikey Varas’ team has already locked in the best first-year campaign of the modern MLS era. The win capped off what’s been a steady, attack-minded season powered by players who’ve been decisive all over the field.
Reaction and efficiency in Houston
Things didn’t start well at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston took control early, and Felipe Andrade scored in the 15th minute after a setup from Junior Urso. San Diego FC went into halftime behind but came out after the break with more structure and energy. By the 49th minute, they were level again — Amahl Pellegrino went down in the box, and Anders Dreyer calmly buried the penalty into the corner.
From there, the match turned into a late thriller. In the 85th minute, Pellegrino put San Diego ahead after a nice one-two with Willy Kumado. Houston hit back just two minutes later with a strike from distance, but that didn’t last long either. At 89 minutes, Dreyer found the net again, linking up once more with Pellegrino to make it 3–2. Then, deep into stoppage time, in the 90+13th minute, Jeppe Tverskov set up Pellegrino for his second goal of the night, sealing a 4–2 win that stretched San Diego’s unbeaten run away from home to nine games.
With that result, the club also set another milestone: 18 victories, the most ever by an MLS expansion team in its first season.
Dreyer and Lozano lead the conference’s most dangerous attack
San Diego’s breakout year has a lot to do with Anders Dreyer and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. Dreyer has been involved in 35 goals, 17 scored, 18 assisted , which puts him squarely in the conversation for MLS MVP. Lozano, also in strong form, has racked up 9 goals and 10 assists and earned his way back into the Mexican national team.
Both players were named 2025 MLS All-Stars, joined by midfielder Jeppe Tverskov, another standout in Mikey Varas’ squad. Together, they embody the team’s mix of experience, energy, and consistency, qualities that have kept San Diego at the top of the table.
Beyond its stars, the roster also includes solid additions like USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre and others who’ve helped shape a strong, well-balanced side over the course of the season.