Anders Dreyer scored his fourth goal of the MLS Cup playoffs midway through the second half, lifting San Diego FC to a 1-0 victory over visiting Minnesota United in a Western Conference semifinal match on Monday.
Dreyer’s 23rd goal in all competitions helped No. 1 seed San Diego become the first expansion side to reach a conference final since Nashville SC reached the last game in the East half of the bracket in 2020.
San Diego FC would become the first expansion side to reach an MLS Cup final since the 1998 Chicago Fire if they defeat No. 2 Vancouver in the West final on Saturday, also at home.
Pablo Sisniega made three saves for San Diego while deputizing for the injured CJ dos Santos, keeping his second consecutive playoff clean sheet.
Despite a considerable deficit in possession, Minnesota edged the hosts 11-10 in shots and 4-1 in efforts on target. However, after winning at San Diego in the regular season, the No. 4 seed Loons fell short of their second West final appearance, completing a frustrating year in which they also lost in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.
San Diego finally took the lead in the 72nd minute on an attack that drew out a little extra in terms of passing creativity.
Jeppe Tverskov played the ball over the top down the right for Corey Baird, who got to the byline and then executed a clever, backheeled pass into the space behind him.
Dreyer arrived as the late runner to hammer the feed with his first touch, overpowering Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
After having less than a third of the possession in the first half, Minnesota had the game’s first clear chances early in the second half.
In the 47th minute, Robin Lod cut back against his defender to free himself for a shot past Sisniega, but San Diego defender Ian Pilcher made a sliding clearance off the line to keep it even.
Then in the 64th minute, Sisniega took the ball off striker Kelvin Yeboah’s feet at close range despite slipping on a choppy surface that showed wear from a college football game played there two days before.
–Field Level Media
