San Diego FC struggle to score in 1-3 defeat against Minnesota United
San Diego FC captain Jeppe Tverskov talks to his team during the club’s 3-1 loss against Minnesota United. (Emmanuel Alonso/Sandiego.futbol)
San Diego FC are struggling to score at home.
San Diego FC lost 3-1 against Minnesota United at Snapdragon Stadium in front of an announced crowd of 27,158 fans.
The last time San Diego FC scored at home in an MLS match was July 27, though the team still remains atop the table in the Western conference.
The home side dominated in shots, chances, passes and most other offensive statistical categories except the one that matters most, the scoresheet.
The first half was quite extraordinary, it's probably the best football we've played. (Minnesota’s) a really good team. We created a lot of big chances, not like half chances, and I don't think we gave anything away. So, we left zero doubt who was the better team in the first half,” head coach Mikey Varas said. “Second half, I think we started well, but then we kind of got away a little bit from the things that we were doing well, which opened the game a little bit more and they got more set pieces in the second half.”
The first half saw the team with an expected goal differential at 1.62 with 12 shots, but were foiled by the Minnesota defense and some great saves by their goalkeeper, Dayne St. Clair.
Not until the 74th minute in a set piece which is known to be among Minnesota’s greatest strengths. During a corner kick the Minnesota players fooled the SDFC defense into moving closer to the cross leaving Anthony Markanich wide open at the far post. Markanich bounced the ball down and in easily with his head to take the lead.
The home-side appeared to be reeling at that point and let the limited offensive pressure by Minnesota stay hot notching another goal in the 77th minute to make it 2-0.
San Diego had a couple chances later with their fresh substitutes, but ultimately left themselves open for trouble. It came in the second minute of stoppage time when Nectarios Triantis sailed a ball from behind the halfway line behind SDFC golakeeper CJ Dos Santos to make it 3-0.
you've GOT to see this 🤯
— x - Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) September 14, 2025
Nectarios Triantis scores on the prettiest deep ball seen in San Diego since the Chargers left pic.twitter.com/uV8chtGhFS
SDFC managed to salvage a goal a couple minutes later with a header by Jeppe Tverskov, but it came too late leaving the final score at 3-1.
SDFC now hold a two point lead in the Western conference over Minnesota United, and four points over the Vancouver Whitecaps who have only played 28 matches to San Diego’s 30.
San Diego FC play their next match at home in the friendly against the Liga MX’s Club Tijuana which will be referred to as the Baja Cup. They then go on the road to face Atlanta United on Saturday, September 20.
