In the 2025 MLS season opener, the newest soccer team made history. They bested the defending champions, the Los Angeles Galaxy, at home. San Diego's head coach Mikey Varas has San Diego FC playing some elite soccer in their first season in MLS.
The reigning MLS Cup winners went unbeaten in 16 regular-season matches and four playoff games at Dignity Health Sports Park in 2024. San Diego FC did not let that stop them from earning their first of many wins this season. They even made a series of moves before the second transfer window closed to strengthen the roster before a potential deep playoff run.
San Diego FC has impressed many by not only having a winning record in their first MLS season, but they also are the first team in the league to clinch a playoff berth. After a scoreless draw against the Portland Timbers, the freshman to the dance earned a spot in this year's postseason.
What players for San Diego FC helped get them there?
The 27-year-old Danish forward on San Diego's roster has not only been the team's Most Valuable Player, but he is in the running to be the MVP of the league. Entering Labor Day weekend, Anders Dreyer has 13 goals and 16 assists so far this season. Two of those goals came in the season opener against the LA Galaxy.
San Diego's offense primarily runs through Dreyer. For instance, during the August 9 victory over Sporting Kansas City, the high-scoring forward contributed to both goals by his team. With a score and an assist, his team was able to beat Sporting, 2-0.
Dreyer's teammate, Hirving Lozano, is the second-leading scorer for San Diego. The 30-year-old Mexican forward has 15 goal contributions in 25 games this season. Irving has found the back of the net eight times while also recording seven assists on the year in MLS.
The play from San Diego's starting goalkeeper has been superb, as well.
Entering Labor Day weekend, Carlos Dos Santos has played in 24 games. He has made more than twice as many saves as goals allowed this year. With 71 saves and 30 goals allowed, the 6'4'' keeper has nine clean sheets to his credit this season in MLS.
Since the 4-3 loss to the Houston Dynamo during the 4th of July weekend, Dos Santos has allowed just one goal in his past six games for San Diego.
Even their backup goalie has delivered some god performances this season. In four games during the month of July, Pablo Sisniega has allowed three goals and tallied a clean sheet of his own. He has 11 saves in that span, too.
What's next for San Diego FC?
This weekend, Dreyer and his teammates take a short travel north to Los Angeles, California. This time, they will be playing the 2022 MLS Cup champions.
San Diego FC has five regular-season games after that, with only two of them being at home. The MLS Western Conference's best team closes out 2025 with both games in October being on the road, including a rematch against the Portland Timbers.
With the playoffs being a lock, it's just a matter of where San Diego FC sits in the seeding. The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs will begin in two months.