San Diego FC Set for Historic MLS Cup Playoffs Starting Sunday

San Diego FC (SDFC) is poised to enter the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs, beginning on Sunday night at Snapdragon Stadium. Following a decisive 4-0 victory against the Portland Timbers on October 18, 2025, SDFC secured the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. This marks a significant achievement for the expansion team, which now aims to make history by becoming the first expansion club to win the MLS Cup since the Chicago Fire in 1998.

The playoff format in MLS differs from many global football leagues that do not utilize a postseason tournament. Instead, the MLS awards the Supporters’ Shield to the club with the best regular-season record. While this accolade is prestigious, the league emphasizes the importance of the playoffs, characterized by high-stakes matches that capture viewer interest. SDFC forward Amahl Pellegrino, making his MLS playoff debut, expressed a preference for the Supporters’ Shield, stating, “It’s harder to be more consistent for the longer period.” Nonetheless, he and his teammates are eager for their inaugural playoff experience.

In the playoffs, the first round employs a best-of-three format, with the higher seed hosting the opening match and a potential Game 3 if necessary. Following a two-week international break, single-elimination matches will determine the conference semifinals, finals, and ultimately the MLS Cup champion. To advance past the first round, SDFC will need to secure two playoff victories, with three additional wins required to claim the championship.

This edition of the MLS playoffs marks the 30th season of the league. Historically, only eight teams have captured both the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in the same season. Since the playoff format changed in 2023 to include a best-of-three first round, the MLS Cup has been won by lower-seeded teams, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the postseason. Recent seasons saw the Supporters’ Shield winners, FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami, eliminated in the playoffs, highlighting the challenges of translating regular-season success into playoff triumph.

For SDFC, momentum is on their side. The recent win over the Timbers was the club’s largest margin of victory since May 3. After the match, players remained on the field, celebrating their achievement as they awaited the outcome of a concurrent match that determined their playoff seeding. Coach Mikey Varas remarked on the excitement among players, noting that many have prior tournament experience that adds to the intensity of playoff competition.

As the playoffs approach, team dynamics and strategies will be critical. SDFC’s historic run has not only set records for regular-season wins and points by an expansion club, but it has also generated significant anticipation among fans and analysts alike. The team’s journey will be closely followed, as they aim to prove that they can not only compete but also triumph in the highly competitive landscape of MLS.

With the playoffs set to begin, San Diego FC is ready to embrace the challenge. “Everybody wants to be a champion,” Pellegrino affirmed, emphasizing the team’s commitment to victory as they enter this crucial phase of the season. The excitement surrounding SDFC’s inaugural playoff run promises to captivate fans and elevate the profile of soccer in San Diego.