Dreyer's Second-Half Strike Lifts San Diego FC Over Minnesota United
Key Takeaways
- Dreyer's clinical finish breaks the deadlock — The Danish attacker's 72nd-minute strike from Corey Baird's assist was worth the wait for the Snapdragon Stadium crowd. His left-footed shot into the top right corner was the quality moment a tight match required.
- San Diego's defensive organization earns the clean sheet — The hosts frustrated Minnesota throughout, limiting clear-cut chances and growing in confidence as the match progressed. Even with late pressure and Pablo Sisniega picking up a stoppage-time yellow, the backline held firm.
- Minnesota's early bookings set a difficult tone — Triantis (15') and Yeboah (20') in the referee's book before the 25-minute mark forced the visitors to manage their aggression. Combined with later cautions for Markanich and Harvey, Minnesota couldn't find the attacking rhythm needed to threaten San Diego's organized defense.
San Diego, Calif. — San Diego FC advanced to the Western Conference Final in their inaugural MLS season, defeating Minnesota United 1-0 at a sold-out Snapdragon Stadium on Monday evening. Anders Dreyer's second-half strike sent the expansion side through to face Vancouver Whitecaps on November 29, continuing a historic postseason run.
More than 32,500 fans had to wait until the 72nd minute for the breakthrough. Dreyer delivered the decisive moment, finding the net with a precise left-footed shot from the center of the box that soared into the top right corner. Corey Baird provided the crucial assist, picking out the Danish attacker with perfect timing as San Diego's persistence finally paid off after a string of missed opportunities.
The first half ended goalless despite chances at both ends. Onni Valakari missed two headers for San Diego, while Minnesota's Robin Lod and Joaquín Pereyra both forced saves from Pablo Sisniega in first-half stoppage time. The fourth-seeded Loons, fresh off a dramatic seven-round penalty shootout victory over Seattle in Round 1, looked the more threatening side heading into the break.
The match began with intensity as Minnesota collected early bookings. Nectarios Triantis entered the referee's book in the 15th minute, followed by teammate Kelvin Yeboah five minutes later. The cautions set the tone for a physical encounter throughout.
Minnesota continued pressing after halftime, with Yeboah forcing another save from Sisniega in the 64th minute after Lod's through ball found him in the box. However, it was San Diego who struck against the run of play through Dreyer's clinical finish.
San Diego made a triple change in the 78th minute, introducing Hirving Lozano, Luca de la Torre, and Marcus Ingvartsen. Minnesota responded with substitutions at 84', bringing on Dominik Fitz and Hassani Dotson, but couldn't find a way through. Sisniega collected a late booking but preserved his clean sheet as the top-seeded hosts held firm.
San Diego becomes the first MLS expansion team to reach a Conference Final in their inaugural season. They will host Vancouver on November 29 with a trip to the MLS Cup final on the line.