USA - Major League Soccer
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by Carlos Zabala in Major League Soccer Picks
What looked like it was going to be an electrifying quarterfinal match between Minnesota United and San Diego ended up being a highly strategic affair, with most of the highlights coming in the second half. The MLS debutant, San Diego FC, managed to win 1-0 and will face the Whitecaps, now on the verge of an unlikely MLS title.
Minnesota looked the better side at times in Game 1 against San Diego, especially during the first 15 minutes of the second half. There, Swedish defender McVey stopped a ball on the goal line after it had already gone past the goalkeeper, preventing Minnesota's first goal. Then, San Diego's goalkeeper, Sisniega Fink, won a crucial one-on-one save to keep the score at 0-0. Later, in a slow build-up play that started from the back, San Diego scored a splendid goal after more than ten passes. Tverskov delivered an exquisite backheel pass to Dreyer, who left the ball bouncing for the San Diego striker to score a truly spectacular goal.
San Diego will first have to face the Whitecaps in the semifinals as they aim to become an unlikely debut franchise to win the league. The Canadian team also put on a show in the quarterfinals, leading 2-0 against LAFC before two moments of brilliance from South Korean Son Heung-min tied the game late; however, the Canadian team ultimately prevailed on penalties at BC Place.
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San Diego FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps Form
San Diego FC and Vancouver Whitecaps Latest Matches
5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 24, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Nov 9, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Nov 1, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 26, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 18, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 4, 2025 - Major League Soccer
4/6 (67%)
0/6 (0%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 24, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Nov 9, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 26, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Sep 27, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Sep 16, 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
Sep 13, 2025 - Major League Soccer
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 1, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 18, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 4, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Sep 20, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Aug 31, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Aug 17, 2025 - Major League Soccer
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 22, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Nov 1, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 26, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 18, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 11, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 5, 2025 - Major League Soccer
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 22, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 26, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 18, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 5, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 1, 2025 - Canadian Championship
Sep 24, 2025 - Major League Soccer
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 1, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 11, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Sep 27, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Sep 20, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Aug 13, 2025 - Canadian Championship
Aug 9, 2025 - Major League Soccer
San Diego FC against Vancouver Whitecaps : Head to Head (H2H)
50 %
50 %
0 %
Average stats (last H2H results)
Jul 19, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Jun 25, 2025 - Major League Soccer
San Diego FC - Vancouver Whitecaps: Form Analysis
The Vancouver Whitecaps have been very effective at winning knockout matches; just last season they reached the final. Before defeating LAFC in the quarterfinals, Jasper Sorensen's men won both matches against FC Dallas in the Round of 16.
In the regular season, the Whitecaps finished with 63 points, tied with San Diego FC, but the MLS debutant franchise took first place by virtue of winning the head-to-head matchups. Vancouver has never before appeared in an MLS Cup Final.
San Diego FC, meanwhile, finished first in the Western Conference, displaying a brilliant, fast-paced, fluid, and lightning-fast attacking style. They are emulating what the surprising Chicago Fire achieved in their debut season back in 1998, when they reached the conference final.
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Vancouver Whitecaps v San Diego FC last Lineups
Formation : 4 - 3 - 3
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Missing players
D. Ferree
DefenderL. Duru
O. Verhoeven
ForwardA. Saidi
Adrian Zendejas
DefenderR. Veselinovic
S. Adekugbe
S. Schonlau
San Diego FC & Vancouver Whitecaps Squad Analysis
The Whitecaps shook up the international transfer market when they acquired the services of legendary German World Cup winner Thomas Müller. He has already scored 9 goals for the Canadian team in just 11 games and will undoubtedly start in the final against San Diego. The Caps' attacking prowess is tremendous; Brian White has also had a phenomenal season, scoring 16 goals.
Of course, San Diego's firepower is comparable. Anders Dreyer is the man of the moment in the league, having won the MLS Newcomer of the Year award for his impressive 19 goals and 19 assists, and in the playoffs, in terms of goal contributions, only Messi surpasses him. San Diego's starting XI is expected to remain mostly the same; Bombino, McVey, and Pellegrino, among others, will surely start.
Most goals and assists
San Diego FC
Vancouver Whitecaps
A. Dreyer
(23 Goals)
B. White
(22 Goals)
A. Dreyer
(16 Assists)
S. Berhalter
(12 Assists)
San Diego FC - Vancouver Whitecaps Key Points
- In the two previous matches between the Whitecaps and San Diego FC, both teams scored
- San Diego FC controlled 72% possession in their victory against Minnesota
- San Diego goalkeeper Sisniega Fink saved 8 of his last 9 shots against him
- San Diego FC completed 88% of their passes in their last match
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Our San Diego FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps Prediction
Both teams enter the semifinal match with a long list of injured players; San Diego will be missing seven players due to injuries, including Alvarado Jr., Kumado, and Negri; the Canadian team will be without their striker Daniel Ríos. The Whitecaps will also be missing Blackmon, who had won Defender of the Year, due to suspension following his red card.
The Whitecaps-San Diego match promises to be a frantic affair; their first meeting at BC Place ended 3-5, and a similar result is expected on Saturday.
Our prediction for San Diego vs Whitecaps is: Over 3.5 goals.
San Diego FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps - Other Interesting Picks
San Diego to win
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