Honestly, if you missed the fireworks between these two last year, you missed one of the weirdest and most lopsidedly entertaining rivalries in modern MLS. When San Diego FC at Minnesota United FC first popped up on the 2025 calendar, most people figured it’d be a standard expansion-year growing pain for the SoCal kids. Boy, were they wrong.
San Diego didn't just show up; they basically rewrote the record book for what a first-year club can do. We’re talking 19 wins and 63 points in the regular season. But the games against the Loons? Those were something else entirely. It was a clash of styles that felt like trying to mix oil and water—or maybe more accurately, sunshine and snow.
The Regular Season Rollercoaster
The first time SDFC traveled to Allianz Field on June 14, 2025, the vibe was electric. You’ve got the Loons fans, who are notoriously loud and loyal, and then you had this brand-new San Diego squad coming in with a massive chip on their shoulder.
Minnesota actually held their own in that first encounter, but the script flipped hard when the series moved to San Diego on September 13. I still can’t quite wrap my head around the stats from that night. San Diego dominated possession with 60%, fired off 28 shots, and somehow... Minnesota won 3-1.
Wait, what?
💡 You might also like: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
Yeah, you read that right. Despite being out-shot nearly five to one, the Loons pulled off a heist. Anthony Markanich, Carlos Harvey, and Nectarios Triantis (who scored an absolute worldie) stunned a crowd of 27,158 at Snapdragon Stadium. It was one of those games where you realize soccer doesn't always care about "expected goals" or logic.
That Playoff Heartbreaker
The real story, though, isn't the regular season. It’s the Western Conference Semifinal on November 24, 2025. This was the match that cemented the San Diego FC at Minnesota United FC rivalry as a must-watch event.
By this point, SDFC was the top seed. The pressure was suffocating. Minnesota, the No. 4 seed, came in playing "Ramsay-ball"—that cagey, frustratingly disciplined style under coach Eric Ramsay that makes life miserable for creative teams.
It was 0-0 at halftime. The tension in the stadium was so thick you could've cut it with a surfboard.
📖 Related: What Really Happened With Nick Chubb: The Injury, The Recovery, and The Houston Twist
Then came the 72nd minute. Corey Baird—who honestly doesn't get enough credit for his playoff work—found Anders Dreyer. Dreyer, the Danish winger who ended the season with 19 goals and 19 assists (Newcomer of the Year for a reason, folks), didn't miss. He lashed a left-footed shot into the top right corner.
Snapdragon Stadium didn't just cheer; it exploded.
- Final Score: San Diego FC 1, Minnesota United FC 0.
- The Hero: Pablo Sisniega. He only made four regular-season starts but stood on his head in the playoffs.
- The Crowd: 32,502. A complete sell-out.
Minnesota’s season ended right there. For the sixth time since 2017, they hit a wall in the postseason. You could see the frustration on Dayne St. Clair’s face. He didn't even have a save to make because SDFC was so clinical with their one big chance.
Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
So, where do we go from here? As we look at the 2026 season, the narrative has shifted.
👉 See also: Men's Sophie Cunningham Jersey: Why This Specific Kit is Selling Out Everywhere
San Diego isn't the "new kid" anymore. They are the target. However, things are getting messy in the locker room. There’s all this drama with Hirving "Chucky" Lozano. Reports are flying that coach Mikey Varas and the front office don't see him as part of the future, despite Chucky being on a massive contract and wanting to stay. That kind of internal noise can sink a season fast.
Minnesota, meanwhile, is licking their wounds. They sold Tani Oluwaseyi last summer and never really replaced that spark up top. If they want to get past the conference semis in 2026, they have to find a clinical finisher who can take the weight off Kelvin Yeboah’s shoulders.
Tactical Takeaways
If you're betting on these two in 2026, keep these things in mind:
- Possession vs. Efficiency: SDFC will likely keep the ball for 60% of the game. They love their 4-3-3. Minnesota will sit back in a 5-4-1 and wait for you to make a mistake.
- The Dreyer Factor: Until someone proves they can mark Anders Dreyer out of a game, he is the most dangerous player on the pitch.
- Home Field is Real: Snapdragon Stadium has become a fortress. The humidity and the crowd noise in San Diego are legit factors that wear visiting teams down.
Basically, the San Diego FC at Minnesota United FC matchup has become a chess match. It's the flash and flair of San Diego against the grit and grind of the North.
What You Should Do Next
If you're planning on catching the next installment of this rivalry, start by keeping a close eye on the MLS transfer window. Minnesota needs a striker, and San Diego needs to resolve the Chucky Lozano situation before it poisons the well.
Check the official MLS schedule once the 2026 summer dates are locked in. These matches are high-demand, especially after that playoff thriller, so don't wait until the week of the game to look for tickets. If you're a Loons fan, watch for how they adjust their defensive shape against SDFC's wingers—that's where the game is won or lost.