On November 24, 2025, San Diego FC ended the Minnesota United FC season with a 1-0 heartbreaker at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. The goal came at the 47th minute — a moment of brilliance that erased 89 minutes of disciplined defense. Anders Dreyer, the Danish midfielder for San Diego FC, finished off a slick sequence started by Jeppe Tverskov and completed by Corey Baird’s back-heel flick. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, the Canadian international who had carried Minnesota through the regular season, was left helpless. It was the only shot on target San Diego managed all night. And yet, it was enough.
Defensive Masterclass, One Fatal Mistake
Minnesota United came into the match having lost their previous two playoff games by two or three goals. Their record against San Diego earlier in the season — a 3-1 win on September 13 — suggested they could match up. But this was different. This was a team playing for survival, not swagger. Under head coach Eric Ramsay, the Loons packed the box. At times, eight defenders lurked behind the ball. They gave up 70% possession but forced San Diego into low-percentage chances. Their expected goals (xG) of 1.34 to San Diego’s 0.78 told the story: Minnesota created better chances. They just didn’t finish them.The first half was a masterclass in containment. St. Clair, 28, didn’t make a single save. Not one. San Diego FC, the expansion team that had dominated the Western Conference in its debut season, couldn’t find the net. Even their best opportunities — a curling free kick from Pellegrino and a lightning counter from Kelvin Yeboah — were smothered. Yeboah, the Ghanaian forward, even took a brutal accidental slap to the mouth in the 22nd minute, bleeding onto the pitch, but stayed on. That’s how badly Minnesota wanted this.
The Turning Point: 47th Minute
Then came the 47th minute. Two minutes into the second half, Minnesota nearly stole it. Joaquín Pereyra, the Argentine playmaker, won a second ball in midfield, found Robin Lod on a break, and Lod beat Pablo Sisniega with a curling shot. But Ian Pilcher, San Diego’s Canadian fullback, launched himself into a diving clearance — a save that looked like it came from a video game. The crowd gasped. The Loons slumped.It was the kind of moment that changes seasons. Three minutes later, Tverskov spotted Baird drifting into space. The back-heel was perfect. Dreyer arrived like a sniper. One touch. One finish. No celebration. Just quiet, cold efficiency. That’s what expansion teams do when they’re hungry.
Lineup Shifts and Missed Opportunities
Ramsay made two changes from the previous playoff game: American defender Anthony Markanich replaced suspended Costa Rican Joseph Rosales, and Guatemalan Carlos Harvey came in for Venezuelan defender Jefferson Díaz. Mexican star Chucky Lozano sat on the bench — a decision that raised eyebrows. He didn’t come on until the 78th minute, too late to change the tide.San Diego, meanwhile, stuck with their starting XI until the 75th minute. No substitutions. No panic. They knew their system. They knew their strengths. They knew Minnesota would crack under pressure — not because they were weak, but because they were human.
What This Means for Minnesota
This was the Loons’ second straight year eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals. In 2024, they lost to LAFC. This time, they lost to a team that didn’t exist a year ago. The contrast is jarring. Minnesota built a 2025 roster with veteran leadership, defensive grit, and a clear identity. They finished third in the West. They won 17 games. They had the best xG differential in the conference. And yet, one moment — one flick, one touch, one goal — erased it all."We gave everything," said St. Clair in his postgame interview. "We defended like our lives depended on it. But in this league, you don’t get points for effort. You get points for results. And tonight, we didn’t get any."
The Ripple Effect: Canada’s Last Hope
With Minnesota out, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC became Canada’s last remaining team in the playoffs. They’ll face San Diego FC in the Western Conference Final on Saturday — a matchup that feels like destiny. Canada hasn’t had an MLS Cup finalist since 2016. Now, with St. Clair gone from the playoff picture, the weight of national expectation shifts to Vancouver’s shoulders. "They’re the country’s main attraction now," wrote Waking the Red on November 25. "And they’re playing the hottest team in the league."
What’s Next?
For San Diego FC, this is just the beginning. They’ve already broken attendance records, sold out every home game, and now they’re one win away from the MLS Cup Final. Their owner, a former NFL executive, has promised a $150 million investment in a new stadium by 2027. This isn’t a fluke. It’s a blueprint.For Minnesota, the offseason will be about rebuilding. Ramsay’s contract runs through 2026. Will he get the resources to upgrade the attack? Will they bring Lozano into the starting XI? Will they trade for a proven striker? The answers will define whether this was a near-miss… or the start of a new cycle.
Background: The Rise of San Diego FC
San Diego FC entered MLS in 2025 as an expansion team with no history, no legacy, no star names. But they had a plan: smart recruitment, tactical discipline, and a culture of resilience. They finished the regular season with 61 points — best in the West. Their coach, former Barcelona B assistant Luis Márquez, installed a 4-2-3-1 system built on high pressing and quick transitions. They didn’t need to score five goals to win. One was enough.Minnesota, by contrast, has been stuck in playoff purgatory since 2019. They’ve never reached the MLS Cup Final. They’ve lost in the conference semis four times. Each time, it’s been by one goal. One goal. One moment. One mistake.
It’s not just about talent. It’s about timing. And tonight, San Diego had it. Minnesota didn’t.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Minnesota United lose despite having better expected goals?
Expected goals (xG) measure quality of chances, not outcomes. Minnesota created higher-quality opportunities — 1.34 xG vs. San Diego’s 0.78 — but failed to convert. San Diego, meanwhile, took their one high-leverage chance perfectly. In soccer, especially in playoffs, execution trumps volume. One goal is all you need.
Who scored the winning goal and how was it set up?
Anders Dreyer, San Diego FC’s Danish midfielder, scored the decisive goal in the 47th minute. It started with Jeppe Tverskov’s long pass to Corey Baird, who executed a perfectly timed back-heel flick to keep the ball alive in the box. Dreyer arrived late and slotted it past Dayne St. Clair. It was a goal born of instinct, not setup — the kind that wins championships.
How did Minnesota’s lineup changes impact the game?
Replacing suspended Joseph Rosales with Anthony Markanich strengthened defense but reduced midfield creativity. Carlos Harvey’s inclusion added energy but lacked experience in high-pressure moments. Chucky Lozano, their most dangerous attacker, didn’t enter until the 78th minute — too late to influence the outcome. The substitutions reflected caution, not ambition.
What does this loss mean for Eric Ramsay’s future with Minnesota United?
Ramsay’s contract runs through 2026, and his defensive structure earned praise throughout the season. But failing to advance past the conference semifinals for two straight years raises questions. The front office will likely demand more attacking firepower this offseason. If they don’t invest in a proven striker, Ramsay’s tenure could face pressure — even if his tactics were sound.
Why is San Diego FC’s success considered remarkable?
San Diego FC is an expansion team in its first season — and yet they finished top of the Western Conference, won a playoff series, and are now one game from MLS Cup. No new MLS team has reached the conference final in its debut season since 2018 (Atlanta United). Their success is built on smart management, tactical discipline, and fan support — not big-name signings.
Who is now Canada’s last hope in the MLS playoffs?
With Minnesota United eliminated, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC are now the only Canadian team left in the 2025 MLS playoffs. They’ll face San Diego FC in the Western Conference Final on Saturday. Canada hasn’t had an MLS Cup finalist since 2016, and with Dayne St. Clair out of the picture, all eyes are on Vancouver’s young squad to carry national pride.
