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San Diego FC puts the wood to Portland Timbers in Game One of playoffs
History in the making
A sold-out Snapdragon for Game One
As of this writing, the San Diego FC has yet to taste the bitter dregs of playoff defeat. Sure, they’ve had just one playoff game so far (defeating the #8 seeded Portland Timbers 2-1), but still, there’s a rowdy buzz surrounding the squad during this, their inaugural season. Finishing out the regular season with 19 wins, 6 losses, 9 draws, and 63 points (an expansion club record), they secured the top spot in the Western Conference going into post-season play.
The best expansion team in MLS history? Some seem to think so — mostly local voices. But unless they bring home a championship, the 1998 Chicago Fire, which won the MLS cup in its inaugural season, might have something to say about that.
Even before the best-of-three second round of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs got started, Snapdragon Stadium got lit, with tailgaters arriving as early as 2:30 pm for the 6:30 pm start time. Many can recall pre-gaming for the Chargers on this same ground back when it surrounded the Q, but there was something different about the tailgate energy for soccer. A higher level of energy and vigor, with unified chanting and team scarves spinning like flattie spiders. (Flattie spiders can spin at a rate of 3000 degrees per second as they wheel about to strike.)
Speaking of striking, San Diego struck first, with a goal off the left foot of Finnish midfielder Onni Valakari in the 23rd minute. Then, before the smoke could clear from the first goal’s fireworks, San Diego hit the back of the net again. This time, it was off the head of league MVP candidate Anders Dreyer, with the assist coming from 19-year-old defender Luca Bombino. Dreyer not only led the team this season in goals (19) but also led the league in goal contributions.
League MVP candidate Anders Dreyer
“It was a nice feeling,” said Dreyer in the postgame press conference. “I don’t think it’s my strength to score with my head, but it's nice that I can show the fans and my teammates that they can also pass it and cross it to my head, and maybe I can hit the goal.”
Another Luca on the roster that night was Luca de la Torre. De la Torre is a San Diego native, who signed with the team earlier this year. He is on loan throughout the 2025 season from Spanish football club Celta de Vigo. After that, there is an option to purchase the hometown blood, according to the MLS website. “It’s not something to take for granted--to play for your hometown club,” de la Torre said after the game. “Tonight was a festival of football and one I’ll definitely remember.”
Before the end of the first half, Portland slapped back with a right footed shot from the Timbers’ Kristoffer Velde in the 36th minute. (His first career goal.) It would be the final goal of the night for either team. But the action hardly stopped there. Things started getting chippy and emotions started to rise in the playoff atmosphere. During the second half of play, yellow cards were busting out. And after back-to-back yellow cards in less than two minutes, Portland defender Jimer Fory received a red card that came with the boot.
Following that, Portland played one man down from the 66th minute forward. In a 2-1 game, an ejection makes a significant difference down the stretch. “The red card definitely came at a good time and helped us close out the game,” said de la Torre.
Getting ready for next week’s game, “It’s about staying consistent,” said head coach Mikey Varas in the postgame press conference. “You know, from day one, these guys have gone for it in every single game, and through training and hard work and a lot of intention, they've gotten better and better at executing a style of play that's very cohesive. So, it's about staying consistent, continuing to do the things that we've done that have put us in this position, and then trying to take a few little learning lessons from each game as well.”
Looking to keep their undefeated playoff record alive, the team travels to Portland for Game 2 on November 1. There will be an official San Diego FC watch party at Wicked West in Barrio Logan from 5 pm-10 pm. If they happen to fall in Oregon, then the 3rd and deciding matchup will be back at Snapdragon on November 9.
Here's something you might be interested in.
San Diego FC puts the wood to Portland Timbers in Game One of playoffs
History in the making
San Diego FC puts the wood to Portland Timbers in Game One of playoffs
History in the making
A sold-out Snapdragon for Game One
As of this writing, the San Diego FC has yet to taste the bitter dregs of playoff defeat. Sure, they’ve had just one playoff game so far (defeating the #8 seeded Portland Timbers 2-1), but still, there’s a rowdy buzz surrounding the squad during this, their inaugural season. Finishing out the regular season with 19 wins, 6 losses, 9 draws, and 63 points (an expansion club record), they secured the top spot in the Western Conference going into post-season play.
The best expansion team in MLS history? Some seem to think so — mostly local voices. But unless they bring home a championship, the 1998 Chicago Fire, which won the MLS cup in its inaugural season, might have something to say about that.
Even before the best-of-three second round of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs got started, Snapdragon Stadium got lit, with tailgaters arriving as early as 2:30 pm for the 6:30 pm start time. Many can recall pre-gaming for the Chargers on this same ground back when it surrounded the Q, but there was something different about the tailgate energy for soccer. A higher level of energy and vigor, with unified chanting and team scarves spinning like flattie spiders. (Flattie spiders can spin at a rate of 3000 degrees per second as they wheel about to strike.)
Speaking of striking, San Diego struck first, with a goal off the left foot of Finnish midfielder Onni Valakari in the 23rd minute. Then, before the smoke could clear from the first goal’s fireworks, San Diego hit the back of the net again. This time, it was off the head of league MVP candidate Anders Dreyer, with the assist coming from 19-year-old defender Luca Bombino. Dreyer not only led the team this season in goals (19) but also led the league in goal contributions.
League MVP candidate Anders Dreyer
“It was a nice feeling,” said Dreyer in the postgame press conference. “I don’t think it’s my strength to score with my head, but it's nice that I can show the fans and my teammates that they can also pass it and cross it to my head, and maybe I can hit the goal.”
Another Luca on the roster that night was Luca de la Torre. De la Torre is a San Diego native, who signed with the team earlier this year. He is on loan throughout the 2025 season from Spanish football club Celta de Vigo. After that, there is an option to purchase the hometown blood, according to the MLS website. “It’s not something to take for granted--to play for your hometown club,” de la Torre said after the game. “Tonight was a festival of football and one I’ll definitely remember.”
Before the end of the first half, Portland slapped back with a right footed shot from the Timbers’ Kristoffer Velde in the 36th minute. (His first career goal.) It would be the final goal of the night for either team. But the action hardly stopped there. Things started getting chippy and emotions started to rise in the playoff atmosphere. During the second half of play, yellow cards were busting out. And after back-to-back yellow cards in less than two minutes, Portland defender Jimer Fory received a red card that came with the boot.
Following that, Portland played one man down from the 66th minute forward. In a 2-1 game, an ejection makes a significant difference down the stretch. “The red card definitely came at a good time and helped us close out the game,” said de la Torre.
Getting ready for next week’s game, “It’s about staying consistent,” said head coach Mikey Varas in the postgame press conference. “You know, from day one, these guys have gone for it in every single game, and through training and hard work and a lot of intention, they've gotten better and better at executing a style of play that's very cohesive. So, it's about staying consistent, continuing to do the things that we've done that have put us in this position, and then trying to take a few little learning lessons from each game as well.”
Looking to keep their undefeated playoff record alive, the team travels to Portland for Game 2 on November 1. There will be an official San Diego FC watch party at Wicked West in Barrio Logan from 5 pm-10 pm. If they happen to fall in Oregon, then the 3rd and deciding matchup will be back at Snapdragon on November 9.
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