Anders Dreyer’s 39th-minute goal gives San Diego a 1-0 win at St. Louis City

Dreyer’s opener settles the match

San Diego beat St. Louis City 1-0 in Major League Soccer at Citypark, with Anders Dreyer’s 39th-minute goal deciding the contest. Alejandro Alvarado Jr supplied the assist, putting San Diego 0-1 ahead before half-time.

St. Louis City pressed for an equaliser after the interval, making three changes in the 63rd minute as Tomas Ostrak, Simon Becher and Fallou Fall replaced Sang-bin Jung, Rafael Navarro Leal and Daniel Edelman. San Diego also made changes, including Pedro soma for Gabriel Pirani in the 65th minute and Ian Murphy for Manu Duah in the 73rd.

The scoreline did not reflect St. Louis City’s territorial and shooting advantage. The hosts had 60% possession, completed 359 accurate passes and registered 16 shots, including seven on goal. San Diego had 40% possession, 13 shots and only two on target, but goalkeeper P. Sisniega made six saves to protect the lead. St. Louis City’s expected-goals figure was 1.39 against San Diego’s 0.75.

Discipline and table impact

Alvarado Jr was booked in the 56th minute. Lukas MacNaughton and Carlo Holse received St. Louis City’s yellow cards in the 74th and 87th minutes respectively. There were no red cards.

Sisniega was the standout performer, earning an 8.3 rating after 90 minutes and six saves. St. Louis City went into the game third in the Western Conference on 51 points, while San Diego went in 13th on 35. San Diego now have 38 points and St. Louis City remain on 51; their gap is 13 points, with both teams’ post-match positions dependent on tie-breakers. Vancouver Whitecaps provisionally lead on 58 points.