The 2025 MLS regular season will come to an end this weekend when teams battle it out on what is deemed ‘Decision Day’ in the league. The record-breaking season for San Diego FC will not culminate this weekend, as the team has secured its spot in the playoffs.

The question remains – what constitutes a successful season? Some say they will not be satisfied unless the team wins the MLS Cup. Others are already content and happy with the level of success SDFC has achieved to date.

Whatever your opinion is on what defines a successful season, there is a clear objective ahead – Portland Timbers on the road, both teams fighting for position.

Let’s dive in.

Scouting Portland Timbers

If the playoffs started today, the Timbers and SDFC would face each other as the seven and two seed, respectively. There is a possibility that fate will still play out that way, depending on other results. If SDFC had to possibly play the Timbers four times in a row, we may as well get to know the opponent.

The Portland Timbers come into this match with an 11-11-11 record, sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference. They are winless in their last four games and have a record of 1-2-2 in their previous five. The Portland Timbers organization is one that is built for the postseason. They won the MLS Cup in 2015 and were runners-up in 2018 and 2021.

While the Timbers lost their top goal scorer, Evander, in a transfer deal to FC Cincinnati, they gained a valuable winger. Brazilian addition, Antony, has been the star of the show, accumulating a team-high 14 goal contributions (7g/7a). He’s paired with David Da Costa, the Venezuelan international, who is currently tied with Antony for a team-leading seven goals.

Additionally, arguably the biggest improvement for Portland this season is its defense. The Timbers have conceded 44 goals this season as compared to 56 last season. New Zealand international Finn Surman has been a powerful addition to the backline and leads the group in matches played (31).

More Record-Breaking History, Waiting, and Roster Updates

As if there weren’t enough ‘firsts’ this season, San Diego FC can become just the second team in MLS history to win 12 road matches with a win at Portland. The other team in that category? The 1998 LA Galaxy in a season where they won their first Supporter’s Shield. The victory at Portland would also see SDFC tied on most road points with 2024 Inter Miami and 1998 LA Galaxy, both at 37 points.

With a much-needed week off, SDFC returned to the practice ground, reunited with some familiar faces. Luca Bombino, Duran Ferree, and Pedro Soma all rejoined the squad after the U.S. U-20 Men’s National team fell to Morocco 3-1 in the quarter finals of the U-20 World Cup.

Another familiar face was seen on the training ground this week. Marcus Ingvartsen practiced in full and is trending toward getting some minutes off the bench to get match fit for the playoffs. Ingvartsen has been dealing with injuries most of the season. The Danish striker is hoping to be the answer to the number nine problems that SDFC faced after the departure of Milan Iloski.

Playoff Scenarios on Decision Day

It’s quite simple, really. SDFC has to win at Portland, and Vancouver Whitecaps have to lose to Dallas for San Diego to clinch the number one seed atop the Western Conference. If both SDFC and Vancouver win, then SDFC secures the number two seed. A draw for SDFC would most certainly mean a third seed. A loss would see SDFC drop to third or fourth seed, depending on other outcomes.

Not only does a win solidify a strong seed in the MLS playoffs, it could potentially mean that SDFC would take part in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Depending on how LAFC, Minnesota United, and San Diego finish the regular season, the team that is highest in the standings will qualify for the tournament.

The CCC is a competition that places the top teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean to compete for the championship. It would be an opportunity for the club to gain more exposure and potentially earn more income, which would help build the club. You can further read about the competition here.

SDFC Keys to the Game

One thing known about Portland is that it’s always a tough place to play. Add playoff implications to that and get ready for a raucous crowd. San Diego FC knows the atmosphere too well. Matter of fact, they thrive in it. Thanks to the Frontera, Snapdragon Stadium is one of the best atmospheres in the league. It’s also what may have prepared the team, partially, to be so good on the road.

One key focus for Mikey Varas will be getting his team on the board first. When San Diego FC opens the scoring, they’re nearly unstoppable — holding a 12-1-1 record this season. Even when they concede first, SDFC has shown resilience, posting a 6-8-2 record and managing to earn points in half of those 16 matches.

San Diego FC will need all hands on deck in what promises to be one of the most important matches of the season. Neither Bombino nor Soma was used in the last match of the U20 World Cup and should be available.

Striker Amahl Pellegrino has found his form recently and may have won the starting job. San Diego will need him at his best if they want to beat a good Timbers team. that means finishing chances in the box, something SDFC lacked in their recent form.

Dreyer Chasing League MVP

As MLS Decision Day nears, San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer is making a compelling push for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. In his debut MLS campaign, Dreyer has been the driving force behind San Diego’s historic first season, tallying 17 goals and 18 assists — tying for the league lead in assists and ranking among the top in total goal contributions.

Reigning MVP Lionel Messi currently tops the charts with 44 goal involvements (26 goals, 18 assists) as he looks to become the first back-to-back winner in MLS history.

Still, Dreyer’s consistent brilliance, creativity, and leadership have been vital to SDFC’s record-setting run, keeping him firmly in the mix alongside Messi and LAFC’s Denis Bouanga (24 goals, 8 assists) for the league’s most prestigious individual award.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. PT, with live coverage available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, and radio broadcasts in English on San Diego Sports 760 AM and in Spanish on TUDN 1700 AM.

If you enjoyed reading this article, please consider following me on Instagram @sdfcnation and checking out my website. 

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.