Mls Playoffs: San Diego Rout Timbers, Advance To Western Semifinals

Amahl Pellegrino and Anders Dreyer each scored doubly and San Diego FC eased into their first-ever Western Conference semi-final quality pinch a 4-0 triumph complete nan visiting Portland Timbers to clinch their first-round bid connected Sunday night.

Dreyer besides picked up an assistance connected Pellegrino’s 2nd extremity while helping top-seeded San Diego unafraid a location semi-final against fourth-seeded Minnesota aft nan November world window.

The brace person each scored 3 goals this postseason, and they person mixed for 13 of San Diego’s 16 full goals complete nan past 5 matches extending backmost to nan regular season.

With goalkeeper CJ dos Santos still recovering from concussion symptoms aft his exit from Game 2, Pablo Sisniega made 2 stops to sphere San Diego’s first playoff cleanable sheet.

Portland was outscored by 5 goals complete nan three-game group – earning a Game 2 triumph only connected penalties aft a 2-2 tie – but still secured its champion decorativeness to a play since reaching nan 2021 MLS Cup final.

Timbers defender Juan Mosquera was sent disconnected successful nan 80th infinitesimal for convulsive behaviour connected San Diego substitute Chucky Lozano, a infinitesimal aft Lozano group up Dreyer’s 2nd goal.

With 19 goals and 19 assists successful nan regular season, Dreyer has earned MLS MVP finalist consideration. His opening extremity connected a header of Onni Valakari’s transverse successful nan 5th infinitesimal could almost beryllium considered expected.

But Pellegrino, who joined San Diego from San Jose successful a waste and acquisition for $300,000 successful allocation money successful precocious August, has fixed head Mikey Varas’ broadside a astonishing caller dimension.

After registering only 12 extremity involvements successful 45 regular-season appearances for San Jose, nan 35-year-old Norwegian now has 9 for his caller nine successful conscionable 10 appearances betwixt regular play and playoff matches.

His first extremity Sunday arrived 12 minutes aft Dreyer’s opener, besides via Valakari’s cross. This clip James Pantemis saved nan first attempt, but Pellegrino dispatched his ain rebound.

Pellegrino added his 2nd six minutes aft half-time connected a crisply taken volley of Corey Baird’s well-placed transverse aft Dreyer besides figured into nan attack.