San Diego FC made history by becoming the first expansion team ever to win an MLS Round One Best-of-3 playoff series! After defeating Portland 4-0 on Sunday, November 9, SDFC advances to host Minnesota United FC in the Western Conference Semifinals on Monday, November 24 at 7:00 PM at Snapdragon Stadium.

How the MLS Playoffs Work

18 teams qualify (top 9 from each conference). Here's the tournament structure:

Round One (COMPLETE): Best-of-3 series
Conference Semifinals (Nov 22-24): Single elimination
Conference Finals (Nov 29-30): Single elimination
MLS Cup Final (Dec 6): Championship game

Key Rules for Conference Semifinals

• Single elimination - one game determines who advances
• If tied after 90 minutes: Two 15-minute extra time periods
• If still tied: Penalty kick shootout
• Higher seed hosts the match

Conference Semifinals: SDFC vs Minnesota United

Ticket Information

Western Conference Semifinals Matchups

• #1 San Diego FC vs #4 Minnesota United - Monday, Nov 24 at 7:00 PM PT
• #2 Vancouver Whitecaps vs #3 LAFC - Saturday, Nov 22

Winners advance to Western Conference Finals on November 29-30.

Round One Recap: SDFC Defeats Portland

Series Result: SDFC won 2-1

• Game 1 (Oct 26): SDFC 2, Portland 1 (Home)
• Game 2 (Nov 1): Portland wins on penalties (Away)
• Game 3 (Nov 9): SDFC 4, Portland 0 (Home)

Game 3 Heroes: Anders Dreyer and Amahl Pellegrino each scored twice in the dominant 4-0 victory. Goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega recorded SDFC's first playoff clean sheet. The win made SDFC the first expansion team in MLS history to win a Round One Best-of-3 series.

Star Players to Watch

• Anders Dreyer: MLS Newcomer of the Year, 17 goals and 19 assists in regular season, 3 goals in playoffs
• Amahl Pellegrino: 6 goals in last 5 matches including 2 in Game 3
• Hirving "Chucky" Lozano: Mexican national team star
• Jeppe Tverskov (Captain): MLS All-Star midfielder
• Pablo Sisniega: Goalkeeper with playoff clean sheet vs Portland

Snapdragon Stadium: Game Day Essentials

Address: 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego, CA 92108

Getting There

Trolley (Recommended): Green Line to SDSU Stadium Station. $2.50/ride or $6 day pass. Trains every 15 min.

Parking: $20-40. Pre-purchase required. Available starting Monday, Nov 10 at 11 AM. Reserve at sandiegofc.com.

Rideshare: Drop-off on Stadium Way. Expect surge pricing after match.

Entry and Security

Gates open: 90 minutes before kickoff (5:30 PM)
Arrive early: Expect massive playoff crowds
Bag policy: Clear bags only (12"x6"x12" max) or small clutch (4.5"x6.5")

Prohibited: Outside food/drinks, backpacks, umbrellas with tips, selfie sticks, noisemakers

What to bring: Light jacket (November evenings get cool), phone charger, valid ID

Fan Zone and Pre-Match

Opens 2 hours before kickoff: Live music, food trucks, merchandise, kids activities. Team warmups start 30-45 min before kickoff.

Food and Payment

Hodad's burgers, Lucha Libre tacos, local craft beer, standard concessions. Mostly cashless - bring card or mobile payment.

Watch From Home or Bars

Conference Semifinals broadcast: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (subscription required). No local blackouts.

Watch Parties: Check sandiegofc.com for official pub partners and supporter group events throughout San Diego.

FAQ

When is the Conference Semifinals match?
Monday, November 24 at 7:00 PM at Snapdragon Stadium.

What happens if SDFC wins?
SDFC advances to the Western Conference Finals on November 29 or 30, hosting the winner of Vancouver vs LAFC.

Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets go on sale Monday, Nov 10 at 11 AM. Visit the playoff tickets page for purchasing options.

How did SDFC advance?
SDFC defeated Portland 4-0 in Game 3 to win the Round One series 2-1, becoming the first expansion team ever to win an MLS Round One Best-of-3 series.

Can I bring kids?
Yes. Family-friendly. Under 2 free on lap, otherwise need ticket.

When should I arrive?
Arrive 60-90 minutes early for playoff crowds and security lines.

What happens if tied after 90 minutes?
Two 15-minute extra time periods, then penalty kicks if still tied.

Stay Connected

Official Channels:

• Website: sandiegofc.com
• X: @sandiegofc
• Instagram: @sandiegofc

Email Alerts: Sign up for match updates

Supporter Groups: The Riptide, Torrey Blues