Nov 9, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego FC midfielder Anibal Godoy (20) dislikes the call against Portland Timbers forward Kristoffer Velde (99) during the second half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images
San Diego, California – In a season of firsts, San Diego FC added another milestone Sunday night — and this one might be the sweetest yet.
Playing in front of a sold-out, roaring crowd at Snapdragon Stadium, SDFC cruised past the Portland Timbers 4-0 to clinch its first-ever Major League Soccer playoff series win. The expansion club, in its inaugural MLS season, left no doubt in the deciding third game of the best-of-three first-round matchup, dominating from the opening whistle.
It took just five minutes for the home fans to explode. Midfielder Onni Valakari, who’s been at the heart of San Diego’s creative spark all season, delivered a perfect cross to Anders Dreyer, who one-timed it into the net for a 1-0 lead. The goal electrified the stadium and set the tone for a night when everything seemed to click.
Twelve minutes later, it was Valakari again, threading another precise cross into the box. Amahl Pellegrino’s initial header was saved, but the Norwegian forward stayed with the play, burying the rebound to make it 2-0. San Diego’s attack, quick and clinical, looked every bit like a seasoned playoff side rather than a first-year team still finding its footing.
While the offense dazzled, goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega provided the backbone. Starting in place of the injured C.J. Dos Santos, Sisniega came up huge midway through the first half, diving across the goal line to make a stunning save that preserved the two-goal cushion and crushed Portland’s momentum.
From there, San Diego only grew more confident. In the 52nd minute, Corey Baird lofted a looping pass into the box that found Pellegrino once more. With remarkable touch and timing, Pellegrino volleyed the ball out of the air and into the back of the net — his second of the night — giving SDFC a commanding 3-0 advantage.
By the time the fourth goal arrived, courtesy of a late finish that sealed the rout, the crowd at Snapdragon was in full celebration mode. From the first kick to the final whistle, San Diego played with composure, chemistry, and a sense of destiny that belied its newcomer status.
For head coach [insert coach name if available], the win was a culmination of everything SDFC has built in its first year — a balance of attacking flair and defensive grit that’s made them one of the most intriguing expansion stories in recent MLS history.
“This is what we’ve worked toward all season,” the coach said after the game. “These players believe in each other, and the city believes in them. Nights like this show what San Diego soccer can be.”
With the victory, SDFC advances to the Western Conference semifinals, where they’ll face Minnesota in a single-elimination match. One win away from the conference final, San Diego has already made history — but judging by Sunday’s performance, they’re not done yet.
Snapdragon Stadium has never sounded louder, and San Diego FC has never looked more alive.
