San Diego FC clinch berth in 2025 MLS Cup playoffs

San Diego FC designated players and star wingers, Anders Dreyer and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano high five during their draw against the Portland Timbers. (Photo courtesy: San Diego FC)

During halftime of San Diego FC’s match against the Portland Timbers the expansion club etched their name into San Diego sports history by clinching a berth in the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup playoffs thanks to results across MLS.

“The first step is complete and we are in a position where I feel like we can hold our chest high and say we want to go for it all,” San Diego FC captain, Jeppe Tverskov, said. “We have proven ourselves, I think we are confident (and) we still have a lot of respect for all the games that's in front of us.”

A draw by FC Dallas and losses by Austin FC and Real Salt Lake locked San Diego in, but the match continued on ultimately ending in a scoreless draw in front of an announced crowd of 27,810. 

“We can't let our disappointment and our competitive spirit completely dampen the big picture, which is that we're the first team in the league to qualify for playoffs, and we're the fastest expansion team to a playoff qualification,” said head coach Mikey Varas after the match. “That's the work that we've done every single day, from day one all the way through to now.”

San Diego FC played well in the first half  and featured one of their newest additions, Corey Baird, an Escondido native, made his club debut at the center forward spot, but was injured before the end of the first half with a “groin issue.” Baird was unable to walk on his own and was helped to the locker room on the shoulder of the training staff.

David Vazquez came on in his place, but lacked a strong touch in the attacking third to get San Diego on the scoresheet. San Diego lacked many strong attacking options off the bench as Marcus Ingvartsen was out with an injury and Tomas Angel was not listed for selection in the match.

Marcus Ingvartsen was originally listes as questionable for the match, but later upgrade to out with an injury. Mikey Varas later said it was a decision to slowly bring him back from his injury and keep him able to finish the season strong. 

San Diego continued on in dominating possession and creating chances, but the Portland defense stood firm in defiance which ultimately took more shots on target and earned a higher xG by the end of the match.

San Diego FC still has six matches left in the regular season and are second in the race for the MLS Supporter’s Shield with 54 points, only one point behind Philadelphia Union. 

San Diego will play its next match on Sunday, August 31, against another strong team in the Western conference in LAFC who will play their first home match since the arrival of their newest star player, Son Heung-min.