San Diego FC advance to conference finals with 1-0 victory against Minnesota United

San Diego FC midfielder Anibal Godoy speaks to the team following Anders Dreyer’s game-winning goal in the 72nd minute.

The dream season continues.

San Diego FC extended their MLS Cup playoff campaign with a 1-0 victory against Minnesota United.

“What it takes in these kinds of games is equal parts urgency and composure,” said head coach Mikey Varas. “So playing fast and playing urgent, but at the same time being composed and not losing your head and trusting that it’s going to come.”

The first half went as expected with San Diego dominating possession, but were unable to create great chances, while Minnesota took advantage of quick moments while sitting back in their low-block defense.

The pitch conditions impacted San Diego’s attack as well as they struggled to move the ball more quickly due to a worn-out field with an SDSU Aztecs American football game only two days prior. Faded lines from the football game were visible, and the pitch was full of sand to help the grass and fill in uneven areas.

“I think (the pitch) is the worst day it’s been for the season…” said SDFC captain, Jeppe Tverskov. “That made it way more difficult for us because of the condition and the amount of sand on the pitch made it difficult to get onto the ball and move it quickly which you need to do against a team like Minnesota.”

The defense made two major saves in the second half. The first came in minute 47 as a Minnesota forward broke away in a transitional moment catching SDFC’s backline off guard forcing the goalkeeper, Pablo Sisniega off his line.

The Minnesota forward shot the ball toward the far post past Sisniega, but Ian Pilcher rushed back from the right back position to slide in and clear the ball off the line. Pilcher nearly touched the ball with his hand as he tried to stand up, but avoided it and cleared the ball to keep the match scoreless.

“I think it’s just a perfect example of a guy willing to do whatever it takes to keep that ball out of the net,” said Varas. “That ball should go in the net. 99% of teams that exact play happens there’s a goal, and this guy didn’t give up.”

In the 64th minute Kelvin Yeboah had a one-on-one breakthrough opportunity against the goalkeeper, but San Diego’s goalkeeper pushed the ball away after initially stumbling on the sandy pitch on his way to make the save.

San Diego took the momentum back at that moment and went on to score in the 72nd minute.

Tverskov sent in a long ball to Corey Baird nearly out of bounds. Baird ran for the ball and just managed to keep the ball in play with a back heel while drawing a defender toward him. Baird’s pass somehow landed perfectly in front of Anders Dreyer who had the time to send in a rocket toward the near post with his left foot to make it 1-0. 

San Diego made a few substitutions, but remained solid defensively as the Loons pushed for an equalizing goal to keep the score at 1-0.

San Diego will play their next match on Saturday, November 29, against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Snapdragon Stadium.