Snapdragon Stadium carried an extra buzz as San Diego FC took on the Portland Timbers for a game in the 2025 MLS regular season this Saturday, August 23. A win or draw would secure San Diego’s playoff spot.

The Timbers came into the match having lost four out of their last six games. San Diego was looking to win their fourth consecutive game. A streak that saw the Azul and Chrome climb to the top of the standings in the Western Conference and in the Supporters’ Shield.

Head coach Mikey Varas made just one significant adjustment to his usual XI, handing new signing — and Escondido native — Corey Baird his club debut as the starting centre forward.

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano returned into the starting lineup. Joining him after a short rest was Luca de la Torre, who didn’t start last game against the San Jose Earthquakes. Manu Duah continued his starting CB role with Paddy McNair on the bench due to a slower-than-expected injury recovery. Newly acquired defender Leo Duru and striker Amahl Pellegrino were available off the bench. In a surprising turn of events, Tomas Angel was not available on the bench and not listed on the injury report.

As expected, SDFC started the game dominating possession. In the first five minutes, Corey Baird provided a cheeky backheel pass that sent Anders Dreyer through on goal, but the Dane couldn’t get any real power behind the shot, which led to an easy save from the Timbers goalkeeper, James Pantemis.

Portland found themselves pinned back by San Diego FC’s relentless high press, a trademark of Mikey Varas’ side. That pressure paid off when midfielder Onni Valakari forced a turnover and immediately slipped a pass to Anders Dreyer. The league leader in goal contributions looked to add another assist, curling a cross into the box that Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano buried. Snapdragon erupted — but the celebration was cut short as the flag went up for offside, and the goal was waved off.

San Diego exploited the Timbers’ high defensive line in the 30th minute of the match. Manu Duah sent a seeking pass through the right side of the field that found Baird. In another display of great skill, Baird sent Dreyer through one-on-one, and the Dane finished with a precise strike past the Timbers keeper. Unfortunately for San Diego, it wasn’t meant to be as Dreyer was caught offside and a second goal was disallowed. Dreyer was given a yellow card after interfering with the referee while he was doing a VAR check.

Corey Baird went into the locker room after an apparent hamstring injury. His SDFC debut last only 40 minutes. David Vazquez replaced him.

The first half ended scoreless after two disallowed goals and an injured player for San Diego FC. Shots and possession were dominated by SDFC 6-3 and 70 percent to 30 percent, respectively.

Newly signed Leo Duru made his debut in the 58th minute, replacing Franco Negri, who left the match with apparent leg cramps. Luca Bombino was moved to the left-back side, where Negri played, which allowed Duru to be in his natural right-back position. He wasn’t the only one making a debut. Amahl Pellegrino, who was signed only two days ago from San Jose Earthquakes, replaced Lozano in the 81st minute.

As the clock was winding down, Pellegrino got on the end of a pass inside the box, and an apparent handball was called on a sliding Portland defender. Referee Rosendo Mendoza called for a penalty kick, but after a VAR check, it was determined that the ball hit the thigh of the player and not the hand. The penalty call was overturned.

The game ended in a 0-0 draw after a dominant performance by SDFC. Portland will be content to escape with a point, while San Diego can celebrate securing their playoff berth.

Next, San Diego FC travels two hours north to Los Angeles on Sunday, August 31, to face LAFC.

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.