The vibes at San Diego FC’s Snapdragon Stadium have been great in 2025, and they were even better for the expansion club’s first-ever MLS Cup playoff match.
A week after thrashing the Portland Timbers 4–0 on Decision Day at Providence Park, the Oregon side dropped down the West Coast, only for the Chrome and Azul to hand them a 2–1 loss and send 32,500 fans into a frenzy.
“First of all, it’s a sold-out Stadium and the atmosphere was amazing,” said San Diego native and U.S. men’s national team midfielder Luca de la Torre post-match. “I’m really proud of the group, the performance, the wind after we've been playing so well all season to do it when it really mattered. It means so much to us.”
San Diego opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a goal from Onni Valakari, and MLS MVP finalist Anders Dreyer added a second at the half-hour mark, before Portland’s Kristoffer Velde pulled one back in the 36th minute.
The hosts kept control, taking a methodical approach focused on securing the win while not faltering under the pressure of a postseason match for the first time. Meanwhile, the Timbers’ comeback efforts became hampered in the 66th minute after Jimer Fory picked up a red card.
“The goal difference doesn't really matter,” added de la Torre. “It's just winning the game, seeing the game out. The red card definitely came at a good time and helped us close out the game.”
San Diego ended their commanding performance with 2.54 xG compared to Portland’s mere 0.85, while outshooting the visitors 15-5, backed by roars of the crowd whenever they jumped into an attacking phase.
“I think it was a really good game. Of course, you play against a good team with good players who also fight for their lives, so there are moments that you have to withstand during the game, and I think the boys did that well,” head coach Mikey Varas said. “This is a good first step. This is playoff football, and this is just one step in the journey that is round one.”
