Anders Dreyer leads SDFC to playoff-clinching win at Snapdragon Stadium

Serenaded with chants of “M-V-P” from the supporters section during warmups, San Diego FC forward Anders Dreyer wasted little time validating the cheers in a 4-0 MLS Cup Playoffs Game 3 win over visiting Portland Timbers on Sunday.

The 2025 MLS All-Star scored in the fifth minute of the do-or-die contest, assisted on a cross from Onni Valakari. Valakari, who made a midfield tackle to gain possession, lobbed a pass that sailed just behind the streaking Dreyer but within the window of two Portland defenders.

Dreyer repositioned and fired a low shot past Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis. The tone-setting goal sent the Snapdragon Stadium crowd of 32,500 into a frenzy that never relented for the ensuing 85 minutes, as the home club closed out the first victorious postseason series in franchise history.

“It’s easy with the teammates like I have here,” Dreyer said. “The way we play suits us quite well, and I think you saw that today.”

Valakari again factored into the next goal for SDFC (2-1), scored in the 17th minute. He set up a streaking Amahl Pellegrino with a cross for a header attempt that Pantemis stopped, but Pellegrino quickly followed up to boot home the rebound.

“We play attractive, really fun football,” said Pellegrino, who joined SDFC from San Jose in August. Pellegrino noted that with the Earthquakes, he was playing out of position, but is flourishing in a more natural role since moving south.

“I can play my style (with SDFC),” he said. “(Playing in San Jose) was a hard time. But that’s the beauty of this game. It can change fast. Me and my family are enjoying life in San Diego on and off the (pitch).”

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Pellegrino took a forearm shiver from Portland’s Kamal Miller, which went uncarded, but the damage had already been done for the Timbers. Miller’s extracurriculars were in theme with the physicality and chippiness reflective of the match’s high stakes.

A first half marked by a flurry of activity began with both sides committing a variety of fouls. As an intense initial 45 minutes progressed, Portland’s Jimer Fory and SDFC’s Manu Duah were each shown yellow cards.

Portland (1-2) midfielders Cristhian Paredes and David Ayala were both booked in the second half, along with SDFC left back Luca Bombino.

Neither the physical play nor a handful of promising opportunities for the Timbers could derail SDFC. The latter was a credit to the club’s backline.

Inspired play from Pablo Sisniega in the San Diego FC goal and the activity of defenseman Christopher McVey helped the club maintain its two-goal cushion. Sisniega recorded three saves and was repeatedly on top of the ball in potentially perilous situations to deny Portland scoring chances.

Sisniega outjumped the mass in front of the goal on a perfectly placed Kristoffer Velde corner kick in the 34th minute, the SDFC goalkeeper punching the ball away to eliminate the threat.

He stonewalled Timbers forward Kevin Kelsy, who had an unfettered opportunity at an equalizer in the 11th minute after Ayala intercepted an errant pass. Ayala followed up on the Sisniega save, but before the Portland midfielder could attempt a shot, Jeppe Tverskov made a terrific play to prevent a shot.

SDFC’s tenacious defense kept Portland at bay for long enough to Pellegrino strike again, effectively slamming the door on the match and series in the 53rd minute.

Four SDFC players touched the ball in a matter of seconds, with Tverskov dishing to Dreyer, Dreyer dumping off to Corey Baird, then Baird lofting a pinpoint-accurate cross to Pellegrino, who blasted an absolute rocket Pantemis had no hope of stopping.

Pellegrino’s screamer to the top of the goal pushed the lead to 3-0. The most drama over the ensuing 37 minutes came in the 70th when Hiriving “Chucky” Lozano came on for Pellegrino.

Lozano’s status for Game 3 was uncertain after missing time due to an allegedaltercation with a teammate in October. The star forward out of Mexico helped add the series exclamation point, finding Dreyer with a well-placed cross that Dreyer delivered to the back of the net.

The same M-V-P chants that greeted Dreyer before the match returned on the 79th-minute goal.

For his part, Lozano was involved in a different kind of altercation moments later — to SDFC’s benefit. Lozano successfully baited Portland’s Juan Mosquera into shoving him, prompting a red card to close the Timbers’ night of frustration.

SDFC advances to the MLS Cup Western Conference semifinals, where it will meet fourth-seeded Minnesota United FC. Minnesota United outlasted Seattle Sounders, winning on penalty kicks in the decisive Game 3 on Saturday.

The clubs split the regular-season series, with the road team winning each match. SDFC took a 4-2 decision in St. Paul on June 14, while Minnesota United won at Snapdragon on Sept. 13, 3-1.

The MLS Cup Playoffs take a two-week break with international friendlies on the FIFA docket.

“It’s only opportunity,” SDFC coach Mikey Varas said of the layoff. “It’s opportunity to get some guys a little bit of much-needed recovery the next few days after a very physical series.”