San Diego FC, with a depleted roster, shock Minnesota United 4-2
Credit: San Diego FC
Allianz Field- St. Paul, Minnesota
In the first matchup of San Diego FC and Minnesota United, the two sides would trade scores.
Ultimately, San Diego FC would be too much for Minnesota to handle.
With the Gold Cup in full effect, both rosters were missing key players. San Diego FC would be missing eight players from their roster, including several starters. Chucky Lozano is also still out with a hamstring injury, so San Diego FC was at a huge disadvantage on the road.
Minnesota would be without one of the best goalies in the league as Dayne St. Clair would miss, as well as leading scorer Tani Oluwaseyi.
The match would prove to be a test of roster depth for both squads, who were battling for second place in the Western Conference. It cannot be overstated how impressive San Diego FC has been in its inaugural season. Competing at their current level in an early stage is wonderful for the city.
The match started horrendously for SDFC, as an own-goal put Minnesota up 1-0 in the first eight minutes of the game. CJ dos Santos attempted to secure the pass from Chris McVey, but his shot was perfectly targeted for the right side of the net.
https://t.co/QBsYyz6saA pic.twitter.com/w5Ge9FMyYo
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) June 15, 2025
A total lack of communication resulted in an early deficit for the road team. Not exactly how Mikey Varas drew it up when gameplanning for the formidable Minnesota United squad.
Despite the early deficit, San Diego FC responded right away. It comes as no surprise who came to the team’s aid in a time of need.
Anders Dreyer blasted a ball from near midfield over the United goalkeeper to tie the match at one. It is his seventh goal of the season for the Danish star. He showed an excellent combination of power and finesse with the chipped shot over the goalie.
OMGGGGGGGGGG
THATS MINNESOTA NICEEEEEEEEEE pic.twitter.com/dXzB2yNE0j
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) June 15, 2025
The score was 2-1 at halftime, as San Diego FC surrendered a goal in the 38th minute. Kelvin Yeboah scored his fifth goal of the season on a ball that rebounded off the chest of CJ dos Santos. Even though they conceded a goal late in the second half, SDFC continued to press for a goal and created some uneasy moments for the home crowd.
Despite the lack of key players such as Luca de la Torre and Anibal Godoy, San Diego FC held possession continuously in the early stages of the second half.
A penalty shot off the foot of Anders Dreyer would even up the match in the 66th minute. The shot was not his best effort, but the ball trickled into the net off the goalkeeper, Wessel Speel.
Dreyer finds the @sandiegofc equalizer from the spot! pic.twitter.com/LAVVtZxjOV
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 15, 2025
San Diego FC battled back to tie the game and looked to earn three points as they continued to pressure Minnesota.
The home team looked shocked that San Diego FC relentlessly attacked them. The loss of their star goalkeeper was an issue, but the rest of the defense also looked in shambles as SDFC possessed the ball and systematically pushed it up the field.
Minnesota was unable to get any counterattacks going in the match as San Diego FC worked hard to defend.
In the 74th minute, Milan Iloski put San Diego FC up in the match. Dreyer sent him a perfect pass for the deciding goal.”He is a very good guy to have off the bench,” Anders Dreyer said after the match about Iloski.
Anders Dreyer has done it all tonight 🌟
Milan Iloski scores after a brilliant cross to give @sandiegofc the lead late 🔥
🎥: @MLS pic.twitter.com/WnFU7XCrKD
— Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) June 15, 2025
The beautiful goal was the fourth of the season from the San Diego native.
Minnesota pushed its offense late in the match, looking for the equalizer. San Diego FC withstood constant pressure in the last 5-10 minutes of the game but managed to survive and earn the three points.
In stoppage time, pressure from Minnesota would result in a breakaway by Milan Iloski. He stole the ball and broke free, driving down the field, beating the goalie on a wonderfully touched pass into the corner of the net, giving SDFC a 4-2 advantage.
It was a substantial win for San Diego FC. The team battled adversity before the match due to roster constraints and overcame early mistakes to earn a 4-2 win against a very good team. They are alone in second place in the Western Conference. The win may have been the best win in the history of this young franchise.
The sky is the limit for the team. San Diego should be proud.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.