MLS

San Diego FC’s ‘honeymoon’ in debut MLS season continues

From unbeaten away from home to record points in an expansion year, San Diego FC redefines what's possible for a debutant dreaming of reaching the final.

Frida Suari

Estados Unidos Update: Nov 24th, 2025 09:09 EST

It’s been eight years since Major League Soccer welcomed an expansion team that dazzled with the help of a Mexican star. While Hirving “Chucky” Lozano plays more of a supporting role in this electric San Diego FC, the fact that the club is on the brink of reaching the semifinals in its very first season feels strikingly similar to Carlos Vela’s LAFC debut in 2019.

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Back then, LAFC reached the semifinals in its second year, joining only Chicago Fire (1998) and Houston Dynamo (2006) as expansion sides to do so. Both went on to win the MLS Cup.

Now, head coach Mikey Varas is chasing the chance to become just the third manager to lead a brand-new franchise into history.

Building the foundation

Varas admits the secret is simple: his players. Starting from scratch, he only knew their names when the roster was assembled. Out of the 30 men who gave life to San Diego FC, a trio has stolen the spotlight—none more than Anders Dreyer, the Danish forward who has orchestrated the attack with ruthless precision.

Signed from Anderlecht on January 22, Dreyer has since delivered a jaw-dropping 19 goals and 19 assists, earning MLS’s 2025 Signing of the Year award. His 38 goal contributions match Sebastian Giovinco’s legendary 2015 debut season, trailing only Vela’s 49 and Lionel Messi’s 48 this year.

12g & 17a

Anders passes Carlos Vela with eight games remaining this season. pic.twitter.com/Oj0mnYU5Zo
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) August 11, 2025

Alongside Dreyer, Lozano and Amahl Pellegrino have been crucial. Pellegrino, the 35‑year‑old Norwegian, began the season on the bench behind Lozano but seized his chance after Lozano’s dip in form and disciplinary benching. He now ranks third among new arrivals with 6 goals and 3 assists, putting him in elite company with stars like Son Heung‑min and Thomas Müller. Lozano himself has chipped in 10 goals and 9 assists, rounding out San Diego’s attacking trio.

Together, they powered San Diego to 63 points, smashing LAFC’s 2018 expansion record of 57 (16‑9‑9).

Anders Dreyer es nombrado MLS Contratación del Año 2025.

📝 Lee más: https://t.co/b5tEZa4hNt pic.twitter.com/fmxSZZnVTU
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) November 4, 2025

Road warriors

Perhaps most impressive is San Diego’s dominance away from home. The club went undefeated on the road, scoring 24 and conceding just 19. After beating the Portland Timbers to reach the semifinals, San Diego became only the second team in MLS history—alongside the LA Galaxy—to win at least 12 road games in a single season.

Their 19th victory came against Portland, closing the road campaign at 12‑4‑1, with an average of 2.18 goals per game away from Snapdragon Stadium.

A Pellegrino, please.

Actually, make it two. pic.twitter.com/y6qiNUsnol
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) November 10, 2025

Next stop: Minnesota

Now, the expansion juggernaut hosts Minnesota United tomorrow (ET) in a semifinal showdown that has the entire league watching. San Diego FC has quickly become America’s favorite newcomer—playing with heart, quality, and grit, and proving that even in its debut season, it’s a force impossible to ignore.