An old adage in sports says big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games. We can officially define Anders Dreyer as a big-time player.
San Diego FC’s most valuable player scored on a majestic strike in the 72nd minute to break a scoreless tie and give SDFC a 1-0 win over Minnesota United, sending them to the MLS Western Conference Final at Snapdragon Stadium against Vancouver.
Dreyer’s blast was made possible by Corey Baird, who kept the ball from going out of bounds with a backwards pass that settled in front of Dreyer. The MLS Newcomer of the Year didn’t miss, firing a shot to the short side for the game-winner.
SDFC was the more aggressive team in the first half, but they weren’t able to convert the few scoring chances they generated. The biggest missed opportunity came when Dreyer dropped a gorgeous pass on the foot of Luca Bombino, but the teenage phenom couldn’t control the redirect, missing an open net wide left.
In the second half, Ian Pilcher made what might go down as the defensive play of the year. United midfielder Robin Lod snuck a shot by goalie Pablo Sisniega that was rolling toward the middle of the goal, but Pilcher hustled in from the backside and made a sliding stop inches in front of the goal line.
It’s the kind of play that can save a season, and that’s exactly what it did. SDFC is the first expansion team ever to make it into a third playoff round. They’ll kick it off at 6 p.m. Saturday against Vancouver with a spot in the MLS Cup Final on the line.
Who’d have thought that was even possible back in February?
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