San Diego FC completes the road comeback, defeating Minnesota United 4-2

Saturday night in Saint Paul, Minnesota, saw Anders Dreyer and Milan Iloski rally San Diego FC for a second-half comeback, scoring three unanswered goals for the statement 4-2 MLS Western Conference victory. 

Coming right off the recent Men’s Soccer International Break, San Diego FC traveled to the Midwest for their Saturday night showdown against Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field.

A battle for second place in the MLS Western Conference standings, with the two clubs coming into their matchday 18 in the second and third positions, level on 30 points. 

During the international break, San Diego FC hosted North American soccer giant Club América for an exhibition club friendly on June 7, with San Diego FC taking the controlled 3-0 Snapdragon Stadium win. 

Although both lineups were filled with rotation, inexperienced and youth squad players, a statement victory for San Diego FC as it marked their first victory over a Liga MX side, an experience needed for their upcoming Leagues Cup matches, where they will host three Liga MX clubs in Phase One play. 

San Diego’s last MLS match took place right before the start of the international break, with the May 31 home match-up with Austin FC finishing in a 2-0 victory, getting revenge against the club that handed them their first-ever loss back on March 23 at Q2 Stadium.

San Diego FC's backline would get off to a rough start with defender Christopher McVey’s 8-minute skipping backpass being slightly out of reach for goalkeeper CJ dos Santos, as the ball jumped over his left foot and rolled into the net for the own goal and a 1-0 Minnesota lead. 

In a moment of brilliance and awareness, San Diego forward Anders Dreyer got his squad level on the scoresheet, with a long-distance center circle strike catching Minnesota goalkeeper Wessel Speel off his line as Dreyer’s shot landed into the right side of the goal, equalizing the match at 1-1 in the 11-minute. 

A contender for goal of the season for Anders Dreyer as he marked his seventh goal in the 2025 MLS campaign. 

After an initial save by CJ dos Santos coming off an outside-the-box attempt by Minnesota midfielder Joaquín Pereyra, the rebounded ball remained inside the goal area with Minnesota forward Kelvin Yeboah getting the tap finish to regain the lead at 2-1 in the 38-minute. 

Despite San Diego FC holding nearly 70% ball possession in the first 45 minutes, Minnesota United took the 2-1 lead into the locker rooms, taking full advantage of San Diego’s defensive and goalkeeper miscues. 

After being played into the penalty box from an over-the-top pass, San Diego midfielder Alejandro Alvarado’s 63-minute attempted cross would seem to be blocked by Minnesota defender Anthony Markanich's left hand, with his arms raised around his head area. 

The initial call on the field was a corner kick with the ball going out of play, as referee Rubiel Vazquez was called to the VAR monitor for a second look at the blocked pass. Vazquez would deem Markanich's hand in an unnatural position, awarding the penalty for San Diego. 

San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer took responsibility for the potential leveling goal, with his slow and low shot sneaking just under diving Minnesota goalkeeper Wessel Speel’s body as the ball crossed the goal line to make the match 2-2 in the 66-minute. 

A second equalizing goal for Dreyer on the night, as his brace moved his MLS goal tally up to eight on the season. 

San Diego FC weren’t done yet, as club super substitute forward Milan Iloski found the net off the bench like he has done all season. 

Involved in another goal, Anders Dreyer whipped a centered cross into the goal area with second-half substitute Milan Iloski getting the diving headed finish as the ball bounced past Wessel Speel into the net in the 75-minute to take the lead at 3-2, their first lead of the match. 

Dreyer claimed his ninth assist of the season, finishing Saturday night as the MLS assist leader. 

The remainder of the match saw San Diego protect their lead, dropping players behind the ball to withhold Minnesota’s offensive pressure in their search to salvage a point. 

The hometown forward took advantage of the Minnesota committed offensive highline, as Milan Iloski sealed the match with a fantastic solo run in the 92-minute, driving past multiple Minnesota defenders and finishing his one-on-one opportunity for the 4-2 dagger. 

Milan Iloski’s brace against Minnesota United recorded his fourth and fifth goals of the MLS season, with all five coming off the bench.

“I'll keep pushing and keep going for goals every time I'm on the field,” San Diego FC forward Milan Iloski said after the match against Minnesota United. "So, yeah, it's important for me to keep my confidence going and to keep helping the team.”

“He's obviously really important,” San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas said on Milan Iloski's impact on the team. “I think he has the most goals per minute in the MLS right now. He's got a special quality. He always finds himself in good positions, and he's an extremely talented finisher.”

The match concluded with San Diego FC taking the 4-2 road victory, as after going down 2-1 in the first half, they managed to score three goals unanswered in the second half for a convincing comeback win.

San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas spoke on his squad's mentality to come back on the road against Minnesota United. 

“The guys can be tremendously proud of themselves, because, man, they got a fighting spirit, but they're also so brave to just keep going. And this is a very good team we played against, and I think that especially in the second half, we put together just an amazing performance.”

“This is definitely a milestone, because we talk about doing road performance and being us everywhere we go, and believing that you can win points away.”

“So I think these points are massive, but more important than the points are the performance. Individual errors in the first half that many teams would crumble and many players would crumble.” 

“But these guys, they just get on with it. They let go of those disappointments quickly and refocus on the right things and they put together a second half that I think can really make everybody proud back in San Diego.”

San Diego FC improves to 33 points earned on the season, getting their tenth victory of the year and raising their road record winning percentage back to .500. 

The win over Minnesota gives San Diego sole control of second place in the Western Conference, as they hold a three-point advantage over third-place Minnesota United, just trailing the leading Vancouver Whitecaps by two points. 

San Diego FC sees itself in another battle at the top of the Western Conference next matchday, traveling to conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps FC on June 25 at BC Place for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. 

Although the Whitecaps hold a game in hand, San Diego FC could go top of the Western Conference with a victory, as they will also be playing their first-ever match outside of the U.S.