Dreyer and Pellegrino Secure 4-0 Victory for San Diego in MLS Playoffs Against Portland

Anders Dreyer and Amahl Pellegrino each scored a brace to propel San Diego FC to a commanding 4-0 win against Portland Timbers on Sunday, advancing them to the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

The expansion side San Diego extended their remarkable debut campaign in Major League Soccer by securing a 2-1 series victory in the best-of-three Western Conference first-round contest.

Denmark's Dreyer, freshly awarded MLS Newcomer of the Year, initiated and concluded the scoring, as Norway's Pellegrino notched one goal in each half at Snapdragon Stadium in southern California.

Dreyer gave the home team the lead in the fifth minute. Onni Valakari's high pass from the left flank reached Dreyer near the goal, and he swivelled to unleash a left-footed strike into the bottom left corner.

San Diego nearly doubled their advantage in the 12th minute, but Valakari's header from close range, following a cross by Dreyer, was cleared off the line.

Pellegrino extended the score to 2-0 in the 17th minute. His initial header from a similar lofted pass by Valakari from the left was parried by James Pantemis, yet Pellegrino followed up with a right-footed finish past the diving Portland keeper.

Pellegrino from Norway increased the margin to 3-0 in the 53rd minute via a volley into the top corner, and Dreyer added his second in the 79th, sprinting onto a long ball from Hirving Lozano before slotting a left-footed effort from the left edge of the box into the bottom right corner past Pantemis.

Just a minute later, Portland were down to 10 players after Juan Mosquera received a straight red card for a frustrated foul on Lozano.

San Diego delivered a memorable first regular season, leading the Western Conference with 19 victories and 63 points, matching 18-win Vancouver.

The playoffs began with a 2-1 home win over eighth-seeded Portland, though game two ended in a 2-2 draw that went to penalties after Portland levelled in stoppage time.

San Diego now face Minnesota United in a single Western Conference semi-final match.

Minnesota advanced past Seattle Sounders via penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw in their series decider on Saturday.