ATLANTA, GA. (Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025) – San Diego FC (17-8-6, 57 pts) battled to a 1-1 draw against Atlanta United (5-13-11, 27 pts) on Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With the result, SDFC remains atop the Western Conference standings and ties the MLS expansion single-season points record of 57, previously set by LAFC in 2018.
Danish forward Anders Dreyer opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, netting his 15th goal of the campaign with a composed left-footed finish. The play was set up by winger Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who forced a turnover near the Atlanta penalty area before sliding the ball to Dreyer for the 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
Atlanta leveled the match in the 61st minute when Miguel Almirón converted a penalty kick after SDFC goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos was whistled for a foul on Jamal Thiaré during a breakaway. Dos Santos responded with several key saves to keep the match even, while Lozano nearly delivered a late winner for San Diego, only to be denied twice by standout saves from Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert.
The result extends SDFC’s unbeaten run on the road to eight consecutive matches.
San Diego now returns home for its final regular season home match at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 27, hosting the San Jose Earthquakes on Fan Appreciation Night. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT, with live coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, San Diego Sports 760 AM (English), and TUDN 1700 AM (Spanish).
Goal Scoring plays:
SD – 0-1- Anders Dreyer (Hirving “Chucky” Lozano) 32nd minute: Dreyer finished with a left-footed shot from near the penalty spot after Lozano intercepted an Atlanta free kick and slid the ball across the box from left to right to wide-open Dreyer charging into the area.
ATL –1-1 Miguel Almirón (Penalty Kick) 61st minute: Almirón converted from the spot with a left-footed strike to the lower-left corner after SDFC goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos was called for a foul on Jamal Thiaré inside the box.
Postgame Notes:
· With tonight’s 1-1 draw against Atlanta United FC, San Diego FC recorded the sixth tie in Club history and remains atop the Western Conference standings with 57 points (17-8-6).
· The result also extended SDFC’s road unbeaten streak to eight matches.
· SDFC remains in second place in the Supporters’ Shield race behind the Philadelphia Union (60 points).
· With tonight’s 1-1 draw, SDFC tied LAFC’s 2018 expansion season points record (57 pts).
· SDFC is 10-4-1 on the road this season.
· SDFC is 2-2-2 against Eastern Conference teams this season.
· SDFC dominated possession, holding 61% of the ball compared to Atlanta’s 39%.
· SDFC had 729 passes completed compared to Atlanta’s 403.
· SDFC continues to lead the league in passes completed with 18,615.
· SDFC leads MLS in assists with 67.
· SDFC Designated Player Anders Dreyer scored his 15th goal of the season today.
· With his goal today, Dreyer has the most goal contributions (33) by a player in a club’s first season. The previous leader was Carlos Vela (27 in 2018).
· Designated Player Hirving “Chucky: Lozano earned his 10th assist on Dreyer’s goal today.
· Lozano now has 19 goal contributions this season (9 goals, 10 assists).
· Lozano and Dreyer have now combined for goal contributions in 12 regular season matches: Feb. 23 at LA Galaxy, April 5 vs. Seattle Sounders, April 12 at Colorado, May 5 vs. Dallas, May 24 vs. LA Galaxy, May 31 vs. LAFC, June 28 at Dallas FC, July 12 at Chicago Fire, July 25 vs. Nashville SC, Aug. 9 at Sporting KC, Aug. 31 at LAFC, Sept. 20 at Atlanta.
· Dreyer has started all 31 MLS Regular season matches this season.
· Defender Manu Duah made his ninth MLS start and 10th appearance for SDFC. He has a total of 14 appearances with the Club across all competitions. He played in three Leagues Club matches as well.
· Defender Christopher McVey made his 101st career MLS Regular Season start and his 106th MLS Regular Season appearance.
· Forward Amahl Pellegrino made his second MLS start and fourth appearance for SDFC tonight. He was on the 18-man roster tonight for the fourth-straight time after being acquired last month.
· Forward Corey Baird saw action for the second-straight match after coming off an injury. He came on as a substitute in the 61st minute for Amahl Pellegrino.
· Defender Willy Kumado was on the pitch tonight, again as a substitute as he came on in the 61st minute for Paddy McNair.
· Kumado returned last week for the first time since suffering an injury during a match against LA Galaxy on May 24.
· SDFC Goalkeeper Duran Ferree, Defender Luca Bombino, and Midfielder Pedro Soma will all now join the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team in Chile 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup taking place in Chile from Sept. 27-Oct. 19.
Next Match
SDFC will host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, Sept. 27 for Fan Appreciation Night at Snapdragon Stadium, marking the Club’s final home match of the MLS regular season. The match will air live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with radio coverage on San Diego Sports 760 AM (English) and TUDN 1700 AM (Spanish).
Match Information
2025 MLS Regular Season
San Diego FC (17-8-6, 57 pts) vs. Atlanta United FC (5-13-11, 27 pts)
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA.)
Scoring Summary:
SD (1-0) – Anders Dreyer (Assisted by Hirving “Chucky” Lozano) 32’
ATL (1-1) – Miguel Almirón (Penalty kick)
Misconduct Summary:
SD – Hirving Lozano (caution, 6’)
ATL – Miguel Almiron (caution, 90’)
Lineups:
SAN DIEGO FC:GK CJ Dos Santos; D Christopher McVey, D Manu Duah, D Paddy McNair (Willy Kumado, 61’), D Luca Bombino (Ian Pilcher, 84’); M Onni Valakari, M Jeppe Tverskov –C–, M Luca De La Torre (Aníbal Godoy 61’); F Anders Dreyer, F Amahl Pellegrino (Corey Baird 61’), F Hirving “Chucky” Lozano (Alex Mighten, 90+5)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Pablo Sisniega, M David Vazquez, D Aiden Harangi, M Pedro Soma
TOTAL SHOTS: 7; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES; 4
ATLANTA UNITED FC: GK Jayden Hibbert; D Ronald Hernandez (Brooks Lennon, 76’), D Juan Berrocal, D Stian Gregerson, D Pedro Amador; M Steven Alzate, M Bartosz Slisz, M Alexey Miranchuk (Tristan Muyumba, 83’); F Miguel Almirón –C–, F Jamal Thiaré (Emmanuel Latte Lath, 76’), F Saba Lobjanidze (Luke Brennan, 75’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Brad Guzan, M Cooper Sanchez, F Leo Afonso, F Cayman Togashi, D Enea MIhaj
TOTAL SHOTS: 17; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDES 7; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 4
Referee: Ricardo Montero Araya
Assistant Referees: Adam Wienckowski, Kevin Klinger
Fourth Official: Brandon Stevis
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
AVAR: Tom Supple
Weather: 86-degrees, cloudy
Attendance: 43,499
