PRIYA COOPER / SPORTS EDITOR

On Saturday night, Nov. 2, San Diego FC tied Portland Oregon 2-2 and proceeded to penalty kicks in overtime. San Diego fell short and lost 3-2 in penalties. The game was a part of the first round of playoffs for the MLS (Major League Soccer).

Each round of playoffs are best of three. The cup involves 18 teams overall, 9 from each conference, competing in a multi-round tournament. The next round of playoffs, or round two, is the conference semifinals and is set to begin Nov. 22. The winner of the match will determine which team advances to the next round. San Diego FC is scheduled to play Oregon one more time on Nov. 9. The team won the first game 2-1, but lost the second.

San  Diego  FC has  never made it  to  the  playoffs before, this is their first ever appearance in the MLS Cup. Many students at USD were not aware of the teams progress in the tournament thus far. 

San Diego FC played game one against Portland at Snapdragon Stadium. Photo courtesy of  @sandiegomag/Instagram

USD senior Gabriella Pardo shared her knowledge of the team.

“I honestly had no idea San Diego FC was in the playoffs,” Pardo said. “I knew we had a team, but I don’t follow them that much. I think I know more about the women’s team, or San Diego Wave FC because they used to have  players  like  Alex  Morgan.” 

  Their  first  win  over Portland also set several club records, including becoming

the third expansion club to win its first playoff game in its inaugural season.  

San Diego  had two goals in the game this past weekend before     going   home   defeated.  FC equalized   just  before  halftime  when    Amahl  Pellegrino scored in the 45th minute  plus  stoppage time. After a series of quick passes between Jeppe Tverskov, Anders Dreyer and Corey Baird, Baird threaded a pass forward to Pellegrino, who had a right-footed shot, making the score 1–1.

Then, early in the second half, San Diego took the lead through Hirving “Chucky” Lozano in the 51st minute. Anders Dreyer’s initial shot was blocked by goalkeeper James Pantemis, but Lozano was quick to react and got on the end of a rebound to give San Diego a 2–1 advantage. 

USD senior Sean Hudson described his reaction to the team’s advancement in the tournament. 

“I feel like I have been so distracted  by  the  World  Series so  I   didn’t   really  know  what  was going on with the MLS, I think it’s also just less popular here,” Hudson said. “I hope they do well  though  since  San Diego is lacking in  professional sports.”

In the final moments of the game Portland tied the match with a  charging  header inside the penalty area,  beating  SDFC goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega on a cross by Ariel Lassiter. 

The final and determinant match  will  be   held  at   Snapdragon stadium in San Diego, CA. 

Fans celebrated the San Diego FC win in the first playoff round against Oregon. Photo courtesy of @sandiegomag/Instagram