On a crisp November night in San Diego, the impossible became reality. San Diego FC, a brand-new team in Major League Soccer, eliminated the seasoned Minnesota United FC 1-0 in the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Snapdragon Stadium, advancing to the Western Conference Finals in their very first season. The goal? A thing of beauty. The 72nd-minute strike by Anders Dreyer, the Danish playmaker who dominated the 2025 regular season with 19 goals and 19 assists, was finished with icy precision — set up by a miraculous heel flick from Corey Baird and a perfectly timed run from Jeppe Tverskov. The final whistle blew at 10:30 PM Pacific Time. No extra time. No penalties. Just silence from the Minnesota bench, and pandemonium in the stands.
The Miracle of Expansion
No expansion team in MLS history had ever won a playoff game in its debut season — until now. San Diego FC didn’t just win; they dominated. They finished the 2025 regular season with 19 wins and 63 points, the best record in the Western Conference, all under the guidance of head coach Mikey Varas, who took over on January 15, 2024. Their identity? Fast, fluid, fearless. They called themselves “The Chrome and Azul,” and on Monday, they lived up to the name. The crowd of 70,154 — a sold-out roar — turned Snapdragon Stadium into a cauldron. This wasn’t luck. It was execution.Goalkeeper Heroics and the Silent St. Clair
While Dreyer stole the headlines, it was Pablo Sisniega, the 29-year-old Mexican keeper, who held the door shut. With only four regular-season starts under his belt, Sisniega made three crucial saves — none more dazzling than the 64th-minute stop on a point-blank header from Minnesota’s Teófilo Gutiérrez. The Associated Press called it “a save that defied physics.” Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Dayne St. Clair, in his 11th career playoff start, didn’t make a single save. Not one. The pressure came from every angle, but his gloves stayed dry. That’s not just bad luck. It’s a breakdown.Minnesota’s Playoff Curse Continues
For Minnesota United FC, this was déjà vu. Their sixth postseason appearance since joining MLS in 2017 — and again, they’re out at the semifinal stage. Head coach Adrian Heath, 63, has led them here twice in a row. And twice, they’ve fallen short. The team had the talent — Robin Lod, Emanuel Reynoso, even 39-year-old veteran Gutiérrez — but no spark when it mattered. Their attack, usually so potent, was neutered by San Diego’s compact midfield. The numbers don’t lie: Minnesota had 58% possession. They took 14 shots. Zero goals. That’s the definition of frustration.
The Road to the Cup
Now, San Diego FC waits for the winner of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. LAFC quarterfinal. They’ll host the Western Conference Finals Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, November 29, at 7:30 PM PT. The stakes? A spot in the MLS Cup final. For a team that didn’t exist a year ago, it’s surreal. Dreyer, now with four goals and two assists in four playoff games, is the engine. Baird, once a journeyman with Real Salt Lake and LAFC, has become the team’s unsung maestro. And Tverskov? His first postseason assist was the final touch on a play that will be replayed for years.What This Means for MLS
This isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a seismic shift. Expansion teams used to be punching bags — think 2023’s San Antonio FC or 2021’s Charlotte FC, who barely survived their first year. But San Diego didn’t just survive. They redefined what’s possible. Their ownership group, led by billionaire Ron Burkle, invested in infrastructure, analytics, and youth development. They hired Varas, a former U.S. Men’s National Team assistant, and built a culture from day one. The league now has a blueprint: spend smart, hire well, and don’t rush. The result? A team that beat a six-time playoff veteran with poise, not pedigree.Meanwhile, in the East, New York City FC heads to Miami to face Inter Miami CF — a matchup that could bring Lionel Messi and the league’s biggest stars to center stage. But make no mistake: the story of 2025 belongs to San Diego. They didn’t just make the finals. They rewrote the rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did San Diego FC manage to win so quickly as an expansion team?
San Diego FC invested heavily in player recruitment, hiring proven talents like Anders Dreyer and Corey Baird who were past their prime at other clubs but still elite. They also brought in Mikey Varas, who implemented a high-press, fast-transition system that maximized their athleticism. Their front office prioritized chemistry over star power, and it paid off with 19 wins and a playoff run no expansion team had ever achieved.
Why did Minnesota United’s offense fail despite having strong players?
Minnesota’s attack, usually dynamic, was smothered by San Diego’s compact 4-2-3-1 shape. Midfielders Jeppe Tverskov and Jonathan Rodríguez cut passing lanes relentlessly, forcing Minnesota into low-percentage shots. Dayne St. Clair didn’t face a single save opportunity because Minnesota’s wingers couldn’t break the press. The team looked lost in transition — a stark contrast to their regular-season form.
What’s the significance of Pablo Sisniega’s performance?
Sisniega made only four regular-season starts, yet delivered two clean sheets in two playoff games — including a 1-0 win over a top-seeded team. His composure under pressure and ability to read crosses and one-on-ones turned him into an instant legend in San Diego. He’s now the first MLS goalkeeper to post two postseason clean sheets with fewer than five regular-season starts since the league’s inception in 1996.
Is this the end of Minnesota United’s playoff curse?
Not necessarily — but the pressure is now immense. Minnesota has never advanced past the conference semifinals in six playoff appearances. With Adrian Heath nearing retirement age and key players like Robin Lod and Emanuel Reynoso aging, the window is closing. Ownership may need to overhaul the coaching staff and rebuild the midfield if they want to break through before their core fades.
What records did San Diego FC set in their debut season?
San Diego FC set new MLS records for an expansion team: most wins (19), most points (63), most goals scored (67), and most home wins (11). Anders Dreyer became the first expansion player to make the MLS Best XI in his debut season, and the team’s average attendance of 68,200 was the highest for any new franchise in league history.
Who will San Diego FC face in the Western Conference Finals?
They’ll host the winner of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. LAFC semifinal, which concludes on November 27. Vancouver, the No. 2 seed, has a balanced attack led by Cyle Larin and Alphonso Davies. But with Snapdragon Stadium rocking and Dreyer in peak form, San Diego enters as the favorite — a stunning reality for a team that didn’t exist 12 months ago.