Now that’s how you make a statement. Minnesota United took down the top team in the Western Conference tonight, beating San Diego FC 1-3 at Snapdragon Stadium in what was one of the most entertaining matches of the 2025 season. On a night where shock results and plenty of goals were flying in across the league, the Loons proved that they’re more than just an anomaly this year; they’re the real deal.

Both squads came out with different lineups than last time they faced off, with notable additions to both. For the hosts, Hirving Lozano and Amahl Pellegrino changed the look of the attack, while the presence of Dayne St. Clair proved to be a vital change for the visiting Loons this time out. Several rotated pieces for the Loons stepped up big during their shifts, with the likes of Morris Duggan and Owen Gene putting in solid shifts in a high-stakes match.

By this point in the season, we all knew how these teams were going to play: The Loons were going to remain patient and disciplined, and San Diego were going to revel in their time with possession of the ball. The hosts came out with a dynamism and creativity that put the MNUFC backline’s resilience to the test, using constant movement, late runs, and more than a few cheeky chipped passes to overwhelm the visiting defense.

The opening half hour made it feel like a goal was inevitable for the hosts, but as they’ve done all season, the Loons took pride in their defending and waited patiently for their moment to flip the script. They grew into the match with a few chances of their own in the closing 15 minutes of the half, as long throws and several free kicks allowed them to slow the pace of the game after what had been a frenetic start from San Diego. They went to the locker rooms scoreless, but there was plenty more action on the way.

A slew of dangerous free kicks to start the second half saw San Diego threaten early, just before they got right back into the rhythm that had been causing the Loons so much trouble in the first 45. While Lozano’s influence waned as the game went on, San Diego’s MVP, Anders Dreyer, stepped up to carry the load, testing DSC on multiple occasions. The Loons’ keeper had one of his best performances of the season, though, getting in front of everything and giving his teammates a platform to build from.

Just past the 70th minute, they repaid their keeper for his efforts, and they did it in style.

After San Diego’s CJ dos Santos deflected a driven Joaquín Pereyra free kick in the 73rd minute, the Boys in Black and Blue stepped forward for the ensuing corner. Pereyra’s service found a wide-open substitute Anthony Markanich at the back post, whose header bounced its way into the left side of the net to earn the lead and give Pereyra his 15th assist of the season in all competitions.

Just three minutes later, a fantastic passage of play saw Markanich get involved once again, as the left wingback carried the ball forward, and started a passing sequence that switched the field to Carlos Harvey on the right. Harvey — another sub — took his defender out of the game with a fake shot, cut to his left, and buried a curler past dos Santos to double the lead.

But wait, that’s not all! Remember that Dreyer goal from midfield back in June? Well, Loons debutant Nectarios Triantis must have seen it, too, and he took it personally, evidently. With dos Santos off his line in the 90+2’, MNUFC’s new midfielder took his chances just past midfield, unleashing a pure strike that didn’t bounce until it crossed the goal line. That made it 3-0 Loons, and it felt like sweet justice to me.

Though the hosts grabbed a goal of their own to rob DSC of the clean sheet he deserved, it was an overall fantastic showing from Head Coach Eric Ramsay’s side. St. Clair’s 11 saves and the backline’s trademark solidity did enough to weather the storm, leaving room for second-half subs to bring energy and a little extra finishing touch to steal all three points from the conference leaders. Debuts for both Dominik Fitz and Triantis couldn’t have ended in a much better result, getting both players off to a stellar start to life in Black and Blue.

With four games to go, the Loons are now just two points behind San Diego, and only three points behind Philadelphia in the Supporters’ Shield race. We’ve got a three-horse race for the Western Conference title after Vancouver’s resounding 7-0 victory tonight, setting up one of the most exciting regular-season finishes in MLS history. Strap in Loons fans, and be sure to tune into the U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Austin FC this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. CT.