San Diego FC took another step towards becoming just the second expansion team to win the MLS Cup—Anders Dreyer’s goal securing a 1–0 win over Minnesota United to book a place in the Western Conference Final.
Mikey Varas’s side, who set the record for the most regular-season points ever by an expansion team with 62 to top the Western Conference table, will welcome second-place Vancouver Whitecaps FC and German legend Thomas Müller to Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday night—they overcame Son Heung-min’s LAFC in a penalty shootout following a thrilling 2–2 draw.
While San Diego were the favorites heading into Monday's matchup against Minnesota, they had moments of worry during the contest. Defender Ian Pilcher had to clear the ball off the goalline after Robin Lod’s shot in the 47th minute, and Pablo Sisniega ended with three saves to earn a clean sheet.
In the end, Dreyer—the winner of the 2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year award—settled the game in the 72nd minute, smashing an effort home from close range that Dayne St. Clair could do nothing about in Minnesota’s goal.
The Danish international has been lights-out for San Diego this season and brought himself to 23 goals and 21 assists in 38 appearances across regular season and playoffs with the strike on Monday night.
Earlier in the season, he formed a lethal partnership with Mexico international Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. Yet, an internal situation has demoted Lozano to a sporadic role through the end of the season and playoffs. Despite nine goals and 10 assists in 27 regular-season games, Lozano has only played 77 minutes across San Diego’s four playoff matches.
🇩🇰 Anders Dreyer with a ROCKET and @sandiegofc are 20 minutes away from the Western Conference Finals! 🔥
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 25, 2025
Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/mMILy8bMXg
San Diego FC Make More MLS History
San Diego have broken most records for expansion teams, but are looking to become just the second ever to win the MLS Cup—only the 1998 Chicago Fire lay claim to that feat. They have already become just the second expansion side to reach a Conference Final, following in the footsteps of that Fire outfit.
Outside of expansion teams, the top regular-season team from the Western Conference has not advanced to the MLS Cup since LAFC in 2022. Previously, that honor belonged to the 2011 LA Galaxy.
Where and When is the MLS Western Conference Final?
All Possible MLS Cup Matchups
The winner of San Diego FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps will face either Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami or New York City FC, who defeated the Supporters’ Shield-winning Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference semifinal.
The match will be played on Dec. 6 by the team that finished highest in the Supporters’ Shield table.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as San Diego Near 27-Year MLS Record After Latest Exploits.
