Amahl Pellegrino and Anders Dreyer each scored twice and San Diego FC eased into their first-ever Western Conference semi-final appearance with a 4-0 victory over the visiting Portland Timbers to clinch their first-round series on Sunday night.
Dreyer also picked up an assist on Pellegrino’s second goal while helping top-seeded San Diego secure a home semi-final against fourth-seeded Minnesota after the November international window.
The pair have each scored three goals this postseason, and they have combined for 13 of San Diego’s 16 total goals over the last five matches extending back to the regular season.
With goalkeeper CJ dos Santos still recovering from concussion symptoms after his exit from Game 2, Pablo Sisniega made two stops to preserve San Diego’s first playoff clean sheet.
Portland was outscored by five goals over the three-game set – earning a Game 2 victory only on penalties after a 2-2 draw – but still secured its best finish to a season since reaching the 2021 MLS Cup final.
Timbers defender Juan Mosquera was sent off in the 80th minute for violent conduct on San Diego substitute Chucky Lozano, a minute after Lozano set up Dreyer’s second goal.
With 19 goals and 19 assists in the regular season, Dreyer has earned MLS MVP finalist consideration. His opening goal on a header of Onni Valakari’s cross in the fifth minute could almost be considered expected.
But Pellegrino, who joined San Diego from San Jose in a trade for $300,000 in allocation money in late August, has given manager Mikey Varas’ side a surprising new dimension.
After registering only 12 goal involvements in 45 regular-season appearances for San Jose, the 35-year-old Norwegian now has nine for his new club in just 10 appearances between regular season and playoff matches.
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His first goal Sunday arrived 12 minutes after Dreyer’s opener, also via Valakari’s cross. This time James Pantemis saved the initial attempt, but Pellegrino dispatched his own rebound.
Pellegrino added his second six minutes after half-time on a crisply taken volley of Corey Baird’s well-placed cross after Dreyer also figured into the attack.
