SDFC stuns LAFC late, snatching 1-0 win on the road

San Diego FC stole all three points from SoCal rivals LAFC on Saturday night, as Anders Dreyer’s late winner silenced BMO Stadium and sealed the dramatic 1-0 win. 

SDFC dictated the early control of the game's tempo in the Saturday night SoCal clash, holding most of the possession through the first 20 minutes.

But the first landed blow belonged to the home side, with LAFC forward Denis Bouanga scoring the apparent opening goal of the match in the 21-minute.

Referee Ismail Elfath was immediately called to have a closer look at the lead-up to the goal, with the scoring play disallowed after a brief review due to Bouanga's right arm being a key factor in the turnover that led to the score. 

SDFC’s biggest moments of the match came on the defensive end, with defenders Luca Bombino and Manu Duah making a pair of goal-saving plays in the two halves, denying LAFC’s star forward Son Heung-min multiple chances on the night.

The first of the two plays came in the 35-minute, with Son Heung-min having a near-empty-net chance on goal, but it was Luca Bombino sprinting from behind the play to poke and clear the ball out for a corner as the game remained scoreless. 

The second of the pair came in the second half, as another SDFC defensive half turnover saw Son Heung-min get another threatening run on goal, only for Duah to make a last-moment deflection to block the shot from going on target in the 71-minute. 

SDFC’s new summer signing, Tunisian winger Elias Achouri, grabbed his first minutes with the Chrome & Azul, subbed on in the 53-minute against LAFC on Saturday night. 

The seemingly scoreless trajectory of the match took a dramatic U-turn in the 87-minute, with LAFC defender Ryan Porteous conceding a late penalty off a clear midair handball offense. 

And with the late go-ahead goal chance down to SDFC’s All-Star forward Anders Dreyer, the Danish International buried the attempt from the penalty spot, sending LAFC’s Hugo Lloris the wrong way to take the 1-0 lead in the 89-minute. 

Dreyer’s late goal against LAFC pushed his MLS goal tally to seven for the season.

Adding to the night’s drama, Dreyer was also shown his second yellow and a red card in the 90+7 minute following a takedown of LAFC’s Son Heung-min. Dreyer received his first booking minutes before for his jersey removal goal celebration. 

Despite the late player-down disadvantage, SDFC was still able to close out the 1-0 Saturday night victory on the road against the Black & Gold, with SDFC’s CJ dos Santos’ Man of the Match performance and clean sheet leading the way for the Chrome & Azul win. 

San Diego FC’s win over LAFC keeps their all-time unbeaten streak alive, now at three wins and a draw against the Black & Gold. 

The positive results continue to grow for SDFC’s playoff hopes and form, having gone unbeaten in their last three MLS matches and recording three straight victories, including two Leagues Cup wins. 

For their next match, SDFC will remain on the road as they travel up the Pacific coast for their game against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Wednesday night, slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff time. 

San Diego FC will be looking to return the favor to Portland, getting the better of the Chrome & Azul back on April 25 with a late Alex Bonetig winner that snatched a 2-1 win for the Timbers earlier this season.