On a crisp Sunday night in San Diego, San Diego FC didn’t just win a game — they rewrote the rulebook for expansion teams in Major League Soccer. A 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC at Snapdragon Stadium sent them to the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference FinalSnapdragon Stadium, making them only the second expansion team in MLS history to reach the conference final in their debut season. The crowd of 32,502 roared as Danish forward Anders Dreyer buried a left-footed strike in the 72nd minute, assisted by American winger Corey Baird and Danish midfielder Jeppe Tverskov. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t lucky. It was necessary. And it was perfect.
A Season Built on Grit, Not Luck
San Diego FC’s rise wasn’t a fairy tale. It was a factory-built machine. After opening the season with two losses — a 3-1 defeat in Indio and a 3-0 shellacking by Portland — the team flipped a switch. Their first win, a 6-0 demolition of the New York Red Bulls on February 15, 2025, signaled something was different. Six goals. Five scorers. A statement. By season’s end, they’d racked up 19 wins, 9 losses, and 6 draws — 63 points — the most ever by an expansion team in MLS history. They didn’t just qualify for the playoffs; they dominated them. No. 1 seed in the West. Homefield advantage locked in. And now, one game away from the MLS Cup.The defense, often the Achilles’ heel of new teams, became their identity. Goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega posted back-to-back playoff clean sheets. In the Minnesota match, he denied a point-blank header in the 65th minute, then watched as defender Ian Pilcher dove full-length to clear a ball off the goal line. That’s the kind of play that wins championships. Not goals. Not stars. Sacrifice.
‘It’s Tough Traveling Across the World’ — Dreyer’s Real Talk
Postgame, Dreyer, who moved from Denmark to San Diego in January, didn’t gloat. He sighed. "I think it’s my fifth or sixth time traveling across the world. So yeah, it was tough this one, but I’m happy now that I can relax a little bit and look forward for Saturday." There’s no sugarcoating it: this team is made of outsiders. Midfielders from Denmark. Wingers from Mexico. A goalkeeper from Mexico City. A captain from Texas. They didn’t inherit a legacy. They built one from scratch — and they did it while living in a city that had never had an MLS team before."It’s amazing defensive actions from Ian to save it on the line," Dreyer said, his voice still hoarse from cheering. "And Pablo getting out, avoiding a big chance. You need things like that in playoff games. And I’m happy they showed up like this. Two clean sheets in a row? That’s not luck. That’s discipline."
San Diego Goes Nuts — Again
The numbers don’t lie. On Tuesday, November 25, 2025 — just hours after the Minnesota win — San Diego FC released pre-sale tickets for the Western Conference Final against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Within 24 hours, every seat was gone. That’s four straight playoff sellouts at Snapdragon Stadium. Four. In a city that didn’t have an MLS franchise 10 months ago.Local businesses are reporting record sales. Bars near the stadium are booking private events for game day. Schools in the North County area are letting kids wear team jerseys. The mayor’s office is considering declaring a citywide holiday if San Diego wins Saturday. This isn’t just soccer. It’s community.
What’s at Stake — and What’s Next
The Western Conference Final on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 6:12 p.m. PT, isn’t just a match. It’s history in real time. The only other expansion team to reach a conference final in its first year? Toronto FC — in 2017. They lost in the final. San Diego FC has a shot to become the first expansion team to reach the MLS Cup final since the league’s 1996 inception.And Vancouver? They’re no pushovers. 18 wins, 66 goals, the No. 2 seed. But they haven’t played at Snapdragon Stadium this season. They haven’t felt what this crowd feels. They haven’t seen the way fans here have turned a stadium into a cathedral of noise.
Why This Matters Beyond San Diego
MLS has spent years trying to prove it can launch teams successfully in non-traditional markets. Atlanta. Cincinnati. Nashville. All had moments. But San Diego? This is different. They didn’t just win games. They won hearts. They didn’t just sign players. They built a culture. Their 22 wins across all competitions this season — including the playoffs — is a benchmark no one expected. No one thought an expansion team could outperform teams with 10-year histories, veteran coaches, and seven-figure budgets. But here they are.This isn’t just about soccer. It’s about what’s possible when a city believes in something new. And when a team refuses to be told what it can’t do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did San Diego FC become the first expansion team to set a points record in their debut season?
San Diego FC achieved 63 points in the 2025 MLS regular season with 19 wins, 9 losses, and 6 draws — surpassing the previous expansion record of 59 points set by Nashville SC in 2020. Their success came from a balanced attack led by Anders Dreyer (14 goals, 8 assists) and a disciplined backline that conceded just 38 goals in 34 games. Head coach Pio D’Alessandro implemented a high-pressing, possession-heavy system that overwhelmed less experienced teams and held firm against elite sides.
Who are the key players behind San Diego FC’s playoff run?
Anders Dreyer has been the offensive engine with 14 goals and 8 assists, while Corey Baird and Jeppe Tverskov have provided consistent creativity. Goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega has been flawless in the playoffs, posting two clean sheets. Defender Ian Pilcher, a former USL player, has emerged as a defensive rock, making crucial last-ditch clears. Midfielder Aníbal Godoy, 35, has anchored the center with veteran poise, helping transition play from defense to attack with surgical precision.
What’s the significance of selling out four straight playoff games in their first season?
No MLS expansion team has ever sold out four consecutive playoff games in its debut season. The 32,502 attendance against Minnesota United was the largest crowd in Snapdragon Stadium’s history for a soccer match. This demonstrates unprecedented local engagement — far beyond the typical soccer fanbase. Ticket demand has surpassed even the LA Galaxy’s playoff games in some markets, signaling a cultural shift in Southern California’s sports landscape.
What happens if San Diego FC wins the Western Conference Final?
They would become the first expansion team in MLS history to reach the MLS Cup final since the league’s founding in 1996. The final would be played on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at a neutral site yet to be announced. A win would not only crown them champions but also cement San Diego FC as a blueprint for future expansion clubs — proving that a team with no history can outperform legacy franchises through smart management, community connection, and relentless execution.
How does this compare to other expansion teams in MLS history?
Before San Diego FC, only Toronto FC (2017) reached a conference final in their debut season — and they lost to Atlanta United in the final. No expansion team has ever won more than 18 regular-season games in their first year. San Diego FC broke that mark with 19 wins. They also hold the record for most points (63), most home wins (12), and most consecutive playoff sellouts (4). Their impact on local youth soccer participation has already spiked by 40% since February.
Why is this win especially meaningful for Danish players on the team?
Anders Dreyer and Jeppe Tverskov are two of four Danes on the roster — the highest concentration of Danish players on any MLS team. Their success has sparked a surge in interest in MLS back home, with Danish media calling San Diego FC "the new Copenhagen of American soccer." Dreyer, who previously played for FC Copenhagen, said he chose San Diego because "they believed in me before I believed in myself." Their story has become a symbol of how global talent can thrive in a new American soccer culture.