It wasn't supposed to happen like this. An expansion team, in its very first season, silencing a veteran playoff contender with a single strike — and doing it on the road, in front of a roaring crowd that felt like a home game. On November 24, 2025, San Diego FC did the unthinkable: they beat Minnesota United FC 1-0 in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference SemifinalSnapdragon Stadium, advancing to their first conference final in franchise history. The goal came from Anders Dreyer, the 27-year-old Danish midfielder who’d already rewritten the playbook for newcomers in MLS this season. And the shutout? That was the work of Pablo Sisniega, a goalkeeper who’d started just four games all year — now with two clean sheets in two playoff outings.
A Team Built on Belief, Not Budget
San Diego FC entered the 2025 season as a curiosity. An expansion side with no history, no legacy, no proven stars — just a bold vision and a coaching staff led by Mikey Varas who refused to play small. They finished the regular season with 19 wins and 63 points — records for any first-year team in MLS history. That wasn’t luck. It was structure. It was discipline. And it was the kind of chemistry that only emerges when players believe they’re building something bigger than themselves.The Goal That Changed Everything
The match was tense from the first whistle. Minnesota United, the No. 4 seed, sat deep, hoping to absorb pressure and strike on the counter. But San Diego’s midfield — anchored by Jeppe Tverskov and Corey Baird — never let them breathe. For 71 minutes, the scoreboard stayed blank. Then, in the 72nd minute, it all changed. Dreyer received a cutback pass from Baird on the right flank, turned inside past two defenders, and unleashed a left-footed rocket that curled just inside the far post. The crowd erupted. Tverskov, who’d been buzzing down the left all night, had drawn the defender who might’ve blocked the shot. Baird’s assist was his first of the playoffs — a quiet, consistent force who’s now tied for the team lead in postseason assists. It wasn’t flashy. It was perfect.The Keeper Who Wasn’t Supposed to Be There
If Dreyer’s goal was the spark, Sisniega’s performance was the flame that refused to die. The 25-year-old Mexican goalkeeper had been a backup all season behind starter Matt Turner. When Turner went down with injury in the Round One match, Sisniega stepped in — and never looked back. His 64th-minute stop on a close-range header from Minnesota’s Luis Amarilla was the kind of save that turns games. It wasn’t just reflexes. It was timing. It was nerve. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Dayne St. Clair, a veteran of 11 playoff starts, didn’t make a single save. Not one. He watched as San Diego’s defense — led by captain Erik Palmer-Brown — held firm under minimal pressure. The stats didn’t lie: San Diego had only one shot on target all night. But it was enough. And that’s what makes this win so terrifying for the rest of the league.A Historic First — and a Legacy in the Making
Only one other expansion team in MLS history has reached a conference final in its debut season: the 2005 Chicago Fire. That team went on to win the MLS Cup. San Diego FC isn’t thinking about trophies yet. But they’re clearly playing like they believe they can win them. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. San Diego FC didn’t just beat Minnesota United. They exposed the fragility of a team that’s been a playoff staple since 2017. Minnesota has now lost in the Western Conference semifinals two years in a row — a bitter disappointment for a club that spent heavily this season to finally break through.
What’s Next? A Showdown in San Diego
On Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. PT, San Diego FC will host the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the Western Conference Final. The Whitecaps, the No. 2 seed, defeated the LA Galaxy in a gritty two-leg series, and will arrive in San Diego with confidence. But they’ll also face a stadium that’s become a fortress — 32,502 fans packed in, the energy electric, the belief contagious. The winner advances to the MLS Cup final, likely against the Eastern Conference champion — either New York City FC or Inter Miami CF — both of whom play their conference final later that same night.Why This Matters
This isn’t just about soccer. It’s about what’s possible. San Diego FC didn’t have a decade to build. They didn’t inherit a roster. They didn’t have a championship pedigree. They had a coach who trusted youth, a front office that invested wisely, and a city that showed up — loud, proud, and ready to believe. For fans of underdogs, this is the story they’ll tell for years. For MLS, it’s proof that expansion can work — not just financially, but competitively. And for Minnesota United? It’s a wake-up call. The league is changing. And the new kids aren’t just playing the game.They’re rewriting it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did San Diego FC manage to win with only one shot on target?
San Diego FC won through precision, not volume. Their entire strategy revolved around patience and exploiting minimal chances. Anders Dreyer’s 72nd-minute goal was their only shot on target — but it was perfectly placed, set up by intelligent movement from Corey Baird and Jeppe Tverskov. Their defense held firm under little pressure, and goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega made three critical saves, including a standout stop in the 64th minute. In soccer, sometimes one moment of brilliance outweighs 20 attempts.
Who is Anders Dreyer, and why is he so important to San Diego FC?
Anders Dreyer, the 27-year-old Danish midfielder, was signed as San Diego FC’s Designated Player and immediately became their offensive engine. He finished the 2025 regular season with 19 goals and 19 assists — the only player in MLS that year to hit both marks — and was named 2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-Star. In four playoff appearances, he’s added four goals and two assists. His ability to create and finish in tight spaces has been the cornerstone of San Diego’s attack, making him the most dangerous player in the Western Conference playoffs.
Why is Pablo Sisniega’s performance so surprising?
Sisniega started only four regular-season games in 2025, serving as backup to Matt Turner. His postseason emergence was unexpected — especially after a shaky start in Round One. But he’s since recorded back-to-back clean sheets, including a dazzling 64th-minute save against Minnesota. His composure under pressure, positioning, and command of the box have turned him into a surprise hero. He’s now the first goalkeeper in MLS history to record two playoff shutouts in his first two postseason starts — all while playing for an expansion team.
What does this mean for Minnesota United’s future?
Minnesota United has reached the playoffs six times since joining MLS in 2017, but has never advanced past the conference semifinals. Their 2025 campaign was their most expensive and star-studded yet, yet they were outplayed by a team with half their payroll. The loss raises serious questions about their tactical approach and leadership. With key players aging and no clear succession plan, the club may face pressure to rebuild — not just roster-wise, but philosophically.
Is San Diego FC the new model for MLS expansion teams?
Absolutely. San Diego FC didn’t just spend big — they spent smart. They hired Mikey Varas, a coach known for developing young talent, and built a squad around depth, work ethic, and positional discipline. They avoided overpaying for aging stars, instead targeting under-the-radar international talents like Dreyer and Tverskov. Their success proves that expansion teams can compete immediately — not through hype, but through structure, culture, and smart recruitment. Other new franchises, like San Antonio FC and San Diego’s future rivals, will be watching closely.
What’s the significance of reaching the conference final in an expansion team’s first season?
Only two teams in MLS history have done it: the 2005 Chicago Fire and now San Diego FC. The Fire went on to win the MLS Cup — a benchmark no expansion team has matched since. For San Diego, this isn’t just a feel-good story — it’s a potential blueprint. It shows that with the right leadership, culture, and timing, a new club can bypass the typical rebuild phase and become an instant contender. The league’s expansion model may never be the same.
