The Beginning

San Diego FC has really hit the jackpot. Sporting director Tyler Heaps and co. knew of the quality that Anders Dreyer could potentially bring to San Diego, but no one expected the Danish international to play THIS well.

The front office chose carefully when they were selecting their designated player options. Dreyer’s incredible 2023-2024 year in the Belgian Pro League put him on the map. Playing for one of Belgium’s top clubs, Dreyer ranked first in goals+assists category that year. Heaps knew that the ceiling with Dreyer was high, so he took a well-calculated chance and brought Dreyer to San Diego.

Tyler Heaps wasn’t the only one taking a chance. After all, Dreyer was having a good career in Europe. The Dane started his professional career in his home country before having spells in Scotland, England, the Netherlands, Russia, and finally Belgium, where he put together three successful seasons. It wasn’t going to be an easy decision to leave Europe behind and move to the United States with his wife, who was expecting their first child.

Making The Move

It took a truly unique opportunity to persuade a player in Dreyer’s position to make such a difficult life decision. San Diego FC was building something special – something unlike other MLS expansion teams. It was about building a team that thrives within a soccer-crazed culture rich with passionate fans from all walks of life. Dreyer understood that and knew he could etch his name in history. To be a part of something truly unique and special.

“When you go to a club, normally, there is a history, there is a way to do stuff. But here it is brand new, and we as players here, we’re the first ones who put on that San Diego shirt, and we have to start to build a culture here in San Diego in how the things are done. So that’s a nice, nice experience, and that’s also something that that brought me over here.” Dreyer said in an interview with MLSsoccer.com  

HISTORY. MADE. 👏@sandiegofc’s first-ever goal belongs to Anders Dreyer! pic.twitter.com/Rawi703EQe

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 24, 2025

Player of the Month Again

Fast forward to present day, September 2025. In what could only be described as a dream scenario for an expansion team, San Diego FC is sitting atop of the Western Conference and only a point behind Philadelphia for the best record in the league. It’s been a season of ups and downs, high emotions, hard goodbyes, and warm welcomes. Yet, despite all of that, Dreyer is quietly putting together one of the best individual performances in the history of the MLS.

“It’s been incredible so far. I think, as a team, we’re playing a way that suits the whole team. The way we play in San Diego is the way that, when I look at football, that’s how I want to play football. I love to have the ball, I love to be creative and take risks in the last third. And I think we get the opportunity in San Diego to do that.” Dreyer said.

In August, Dreyer earned his second Player of the Month honor, having first received the award in June. This achievement ties him with Josef Martinez as the only two players in league history to earn multiple player of the month awards for an expansion club in their debut season.

Dreyer powered San Diego FC to a 3-0-1 record in August. The Danish forward tallied three goals and two assists, ranking among the league’s top performers for the month. He logged 359 of 360 possible minutes, recording a goal contribution in three of four matches. Most importantly, each of San Diego’s three wins came courtesy of his decisive touch — setting up the winner at Sporting Kansas City, before scoring match-winners at San Jose and LAFC.

More Accolades

It’s just one of the many awards he’s added to his long list of accolades. The Dane was selected to the MLS All-Star roster, received Player of the Matchday award for Matchday 1 and Matchday 31, and was featured nine times in the weekly Best XI (Team of the Matchday).

In his first MLS season, Dreyer leads the league with 32 goal contributions (14 goals, 18 assists), including six game-winners and seven game-winning assists. That tally ties him with Zlatan Ibrahimović’s 2018 mark for the second-most contributions by a debut player, behind only Sebastian Giovinco’s 38 with Toronto FC in 2015.

The Case for League MVP

A league MVP is a real possibility for Dreyer, who’s making a strong case to challenge Lionel Messi for the award. Many league pundits still believe Messi is the front-runner for the MVP award, but Dreyer is making it tough for the decision-makers.

The Argentine legend currently has 19 goals, trailing only Sam Surridge by one. Still, Messi leads in the ‘Goals per 90 minutes’ category. Dreyer leads the league in goal contributions (30) while Messi trails him in second place with (27). Dreyer has built a strong case for MVP, though it’s hard to overlook the brilliance Messi continues to display. With only five games left in the regular season, there is no doubt that the race for league MVP is between two front-runners, Messi and Dreyer.

All the success that Dreyer has achieved in America led to his multiple selections to the Danish National team. Currently representing Denmark in World Cup qualifying matches, Dreyer will play vs Scotland on 9/5 and Greece on 9/8, before returning to San Diego to take on Minnesota United on 9/13.

“Enjoying Every Day”

San Diego FC has a lot of work left to do if they want to achieve greatness. Despite all the records that were, and going to be, broken this season – the job is not done. Dreyer knows the responsibility he carries on his shoulders, being one of the premier playmakers on the team. Despite the pressure, the Dane is contributing time and time again, all while having a lot of fun.

“Now I’m loving it here. Sometimes I stop and I’m at home and I’m just like, it’s so nice to be here and I’m just enjoying every day. The city is nice, the stadium, the facilities, it’s nice, fans are amazing. So it’s been a very, very nice fairy tale so far.” Dreyer concluded.

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Dmitry Anisimov

Dmitry Anisimov is a San Diego native who played soccer up to the college level when he represented the SDSU Men’s Club Soccer team. Growing up in San Diego, Dmitry is a fan of all the home teams but he specifically couldn’t wait until San Diego got an MLS team. Once that dream became reality, Dmitry married his love for writing and the game of soccer to portray a voice of the San Diego soccer community. There is a deep-rooted love of soccer culture in San Diego and Dmitry hopes to bring it to light through his pre and post-game coverage of all things San Diego FC.