San Diego FC 1-0 Minnesota United MLS Cup, Highlights: Dreyer's Sole Effort Helps SDFC Set Up Finale With Vancouver

Greetings and welcome, everyone. We are back with another football blog and this time it is from world of Major League Soccer, where San Diego FC are facing Minnesota United for a place in the Western Conference final.

The San Diego FC vs Minnesota United, MLS 2025 Playoff match will be live-streamed on the Apple TV app and website.

Starting XI: Sisniega (GK), (DEF) Pilcher, McVey, Duah, Bombino, (MID) Godoy, Tverskov, Valakari, (FW) Dreyer, Baird and Pellegrino

Substitutes: Ferree (GK), McNair, Duru, Soma, De La Torre, Vazquez, Mighten, Lozano and Ingvartsen

Playing XI: St. Clair (GK), (DEF) Hlongwane, Harvey, Boxall, Duggan, Markanich, (MID) Lod, Triantis, Trapp, Pereyra and (FWD) Yeboah

Substitutes: Smir (GK), Fitz, Romero, Dieng, Gressel, Taylor, Gene, Dotson and Diaz

San Diego FC: W, L, W, W, W

Minnesota United FC: W, L, W, L, W

Both the teams will be battling it out today for a spot in the Western Conference Final, where they will be taking on Vancouver Whitecaps, who defeated LA FC previously.

Inter Miami and New York City FC will feature in the Eastern Conference final on November 30 before the Western Con. finale.

And the first-half is underway for the Western Conference semi-final at the Snapdragon Stadium. It is going to be an exciting first 45 minutes.

12 minutes have passed by and both the teams are searching for the all-important opening goal. Minnesota have started with their usual approach of not keeping much of the ball and relying on counter-attacks and transitions. San Diego, on the other hand, are looking way more superior in terms of possession and attacking fluidity. San Diego have defended well thus far.

Pellegrino stepped up to take the set-piece, positioning himself deep on the flank. With a crisp swing of his right boot, he whipped the ball high and bending into the penalty box, aiming his powerful cross towards the far post where the defenders were stretched thin. The delivery was dangerous, forcing Dreyer to react immediately.

San Diego have retained 77% of the ball, but haven't been able to threaten the Minnesota goalkeeper with any real goalscoring opportunities. However, the way head coach Mikey Varas has set up the team today, their inability to move up the pitch with real intent should change soon.

Despite San Diego's loud protests for a penalty, the referee correctly waved play on after Baird went down inside the box. After controlling Valakari's pass, Baird tried to force his way through two defenders, but his fall was clearly manufactured without sufficient contact.

Really good defensive display there from Minnesota to stop the San Diego attack.

4 minutes were added on to conclude the first-half and it is 0-0 at half-time. Dreyer has been absolutely excellent for San Diego, creating plenty of chances to score in the first-half, but Minnesota have been good defensively. SDFC got very close to open the scoring in the 36th minute when Dreyer sent in a dangerous cross that was intercepted by the MNFC backline.

Right before the end of first-half, Minnesota's Pereyra lifted a beautiful clip over top for Lod to chase. The Finland international did reach the ball, but lacked support and ultimately failed to deliver a precise shot. That was a great show of quality from Pereyra and San Diego will have to be wary of giving MNFC too much space in the 2nd half.

Possession - San Diego 79%-21% Minnesota United

Total Shots - San Diego 6-4 Minnesota United

Shots on target - San Diego 0-2 Minnesota United

Accurate passes - San Diego 361 (91%) - 68 (64%)

According to Opta's live win probability, San Diego currently has the best odds of advancing (44%), setting the stage for a potential Conference Final against the Vancouver Whitecaps. A draw remains a substantial possibility at 34.5%, while a Minnesota victory is considered the least likely outcome at 21.6%.

The first half was dominated by Mikey Varas’ side, who enjoyed nearly 75% possession.

Final 45 minutes are underway at the Snapdragon Stadium. Minnesota have applied good pressure in the opening minutes of the second-half with Bambino coming close to scoring but San Diego keeper Pilcher made a good save.

A golden opportunity goes begging for San Diego. The move was perfectly executed: Dreyer received a pinpoint switch from Tverskov, cut inside, and delivered a precise pass to Pellegrino in the center of the box.

However, the striker couldn't capitalize, skying his shot well over the crossbar in what was their clearest chance of the night. That is a miss Pellegrino will regret immediately.

Minnesota are not wanting to slow down here as they continue march on with some positive movements. However, San Diego are trying their best to suffocate Minnesota with a superior ball possession. MNFC are now putting bodies at the back to defend deep as San Diego intensify their attack.

San Diego breaks the deadlock! The crucial play originated with Baird, who demonstrated his importance by executing a smart back-heel flick to retain possession.

This created the space for Dreyer to collect the ball and rifle a sensational effort into the top of the net, putting San Diego ahead 1-0. It was a magnificent finish from Dreyer, but Baird's clever assist truly set up the goal.

Expected Goals (xG) : SDFC 0.70-0.62 MNFC

xG open play : SDFC 0.60-0.50 MNFC

Non-penalty xG : SDFC 0.70-0.62 MNFC

xG on target : SDFC 0.40-0.26 MNFC

The 4th official has added 4 minutes into the clock and time is running out for Minnesota United FC, who have gone inside a shell right after conceding the first and only goal in the 2nd half.

San Diego has achieved virtually flawless game management, particularly with their central midfielders, Tverskov chief among them, looking significantly more assured. The match now appears firmly in the hosts' grasp, with Minnesota facing a daunting path to recovery.

The full-time whistle goes off and the San Diego FC have earned a narrow 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC here at the Snapdragon Stadium. Anders Dreyer's effort in the 72nd minute was enough to seal the game and SDFC are going through to the Western Conference final, where they will meet Vancouver White Caps.

Possession - San Diego 71%-29% Minnesota United

Total Shots - San Diego 9-11 Minnesota United

Shots on target - San Diego 1-4 Minnesota United

Accurate passes - San Diego 611(88%) - 185(67%) Minnesota United

Corners - San Diego 5-2 Minnesota United

Western Conference Final: Vancouver Whitecaps Vs San Diego FC, November 30 (7:30AM IST).

Eastern Conference Final: Inter Miami FC Vs New York City FC, November 30 (4:30AM IST).