San Diego defeat Minnesota to reach Western Conference Final | OneFootball

The latest hairpin turn of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs has officially been negotiated this evening, with San Diego FC booking passage to the Western Conference Finals courtesy of a 1-0 win over Minnesota United.

Scorers: Dreyer 73'

The opening 30 minutes at Snapdragon Stadium settled into the expected tactical battle that was on display during the last meeting between these two sides in SoCal back in September.

Much like that late summer evening, the scoreline once again remained deadlocked at nil-nil going into the half-time interval, after the Loons' dogged defensive efforts kept SDFC's Anders Dreyer-charged attack at bay.

Minnesota were denied a quickfire strike less than two minutes after the break when Ian Pilcher cleared off the line to deny Robin Lod from bagging the opener, as the Loons started the second half like a house on fire on the back of a late push in the final stage of the opening 45 minutes.

But just like so many times during this storyboard 2025 season, it was San Diego star and MLS Newcomber of the Year Anders Dreyer who thumped an effort home at the near post to beat Dayne St. Clair for pace in the 73rd minute.

Changes from both managers after the goal could not do enough to find a goal at either end, ensuring that SDFC booked passage to the Western Conference Final and taking one further step toward improbable MLS Cup glory.

For Minnesota, their defensive stoutness was not enough to counterbalance the seemingly unbeatable storyline that has been San Diego's first-ever MLS campaign.

This is no longer an underdog story.

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