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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Luis Miguel Echegaray

For San Diego FC, a historic inaugural MLS season is equal parts philosophy and community

MLS San Diego FC San Diego Tyler Heaps Hirving Chucky Lozano Mikey Varas Western Conference Anders Dreyer MLS Cup Right To Dream
Anders Dreyer #10 of San Diego FC celebrates with teammates after a goal against Houston Dynamo FC during the second half at Shell Energy Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
San Diego FC credits their togetherness as a key reason for their first-year success. Photograph: Alex Slitz/Getty Images

As San Diego FC prepare for their first playoff appearance this Sunday, they do so with the deserved title of record breakers. The expansion club has earned the Western Conference’s No 1 seed and set records for most victories (19) and points (63) in a single season by an MLS expansion team. As a result, they will be at home for the remainder of the playoffs, and would host MLS Cup if they make it there and meet anyone other than Inter Miami, Cincinnati, or the Supporters’ Shield-winning Philadelphia Union.

Now, they’re aiming for more history – to become the first expansion side to win MLS Cup since 1998 when the Chicago Fire achieved it against DC United.

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