Andrés Dreyer Leads San Diego FC to the Western Conference Final

PHOTO: AP News

San Diego FOotball Club, the newest member of the Major League Soccer, had football in a mi day night after almost ten years. However, the venue and the sport was different: instead of a oval orange ball and a cheerfull crowd at Qualcun Stadium, SD had a sold out crowfd at Snapdragon Stadium, another type of football, and a semifinal of the Weatern Conference final between San Diego FC and Minnesota United.

SDFC gai es the home advantage thanks to their second place at the Western Conference. Mesnwbile, “the loons” ended the 2025 season in fourth place. Both teams played three games against the Portlsnf Timbers and Seattle Soundera respectively.

Without Hirvinf “Chucky” Lozano as a started, Mikey Vera’s had Pablo Sisniefa in goal; Ian Pilcher and Luca Bombino in the wings; Manu Duah and Christopher McVey as central defenders; a midfield composed by Onni Valakari,Jeppe Tverskov and Aníbal Godoy; and an effective attack leased by Amahl Pellegrino, Corey Baird and goal-scoring sensation Andrea Dreyer.

The Loons had Canadian National Team goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair in goal; Anthony Markanich, and Carlos Harvey out wide; Michael Boxall, and Morris Duggan on defense; a conservative midfield with Robin Lod, and Joaquín Pereyra on the sides, snd Wil Trapp and Nectarios Triantis in the middle; and a two-men attack with Kelvin Yeboah and Bongokuhle Hlongwane

The 4-3-3 formation placed by San Diego seem more offensive; ohowever and in spite of the conservative approach, Minnesota had most and the clearest chances of the game. Joaquín Pereyra, with a long-distance strike and two outstanding assists, and Robin Los, with a header and a right-fooot shot, were not sharo enough to give the Loobs the advantage. It was Isn Pilcher, San Diego left full back, who follow the ball and did an outstanding defensive safe at the beginning of the second half.

A well-places defensive formation like the one Minnesota had cojos only be surpassed with a back clip pass like one Corey Baird did in the goal. In the 72nd minute, Jeppe Tverskov, a multifuncional midfielder, placed the ball in the very. End of the right side of the goal. Without much ángel, Corey Baird did a hele kick to the area. Without thinking it and al with a strong single-touch, Andrés Dreyer stroke the ball to the net giving the advantage and the pass to the semifinales to San Diego. When the ball touch es the net, the crowd at Snapdrsgob Stadium went crack witnessibg one more goal by it’s best striker. Thus, SDFC made history clsdighibg to it’s first Major League Soccer Wesgerb Conference Final.

Luca de la Torre and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, two players who were carentes starters at the beginning of the season, entered at the end of the second half. In the opponent’s case, Hassani Dotson and Dominik Fitz entered to seek the the. None of the enteres made a difference in the final 1-0 score.

San Diego will face the Vancouver Whitecapd St Snapdrsgob Stadium; ImLionel Messi’s Inter Miami will host New York City FC at Chase Stadium. Both Conference Fibald will take place This Saturday at 6pm and 3pm respectively. The finalista will play one week later