Amal Pellegrino and Anders Dreyer each scored twice as San Diego advanced to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time in history with a 4-0 win over the visitors. Portland Timbers to conclude their first-round series on Sunday night.
Dreyer also had an assist on Pellegrino's second goal and also helped top-seeded San Diego secure a home semifinal against fourth-place Minnesota after the November international window.
The pair have each scored three goals this postseason and have combined for 13 of San Diego's 16 goals in their last five games dating back to the regular season.
With goaltender C.J. dos Santos still recovering from concussion symptoms after exiting Game 2, Pablo Sisniega made two stops to preserve San Diego's first clean sheet of the playoffs.
Portland scored five goals in the three-game set (winning Game 2 only on penalties after a 2–2 draw) but still posted its best record of the season since entering 2021. MLS Cup final.
Timbers defenseman Juan Mosquera was sent off in the 80th minute for violent behavior toward San Diego substitute Chucky Lozano, a minute after Lozano scored Dreyer's second goal.
With 19 goals and 19 assists in the regular season, Dreyer was a finalist for MLS MVP. His first goal, a header from Onni Valakari's cross in the fifth minute, was almost expected.
But Pellegrino, who was traded to San Diego from San Jose for $300,000 in cap space in late August, has added a surprising new dimension to coach Mikey Varas' team.
After scoring just 12 goals in 45 regular-season games for San Jose, the 35-year-old Norwegian now has nine goals in just 10 regular-season and playoff appearances.
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His first goal on Sunday came 12 minutes after Dreyer's opener, also courtesy of a Valakari cross. This time James Pantemis saved the first attempt, but Pellegrino saved his ball.
Pellegrino added his second six minutes after the break from Corey Baird's strike after Dreyer had also been involved in the attack.
