HOUSTON—San Diego FC delivered a statement performance Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium, rallying with three late goals to overpower the Houston Dynamo 4-2 and clinch a historic regular season for the Major League Soccer newcomers.

Felipe Andrade opened the scoring for Houston in the 15th minute, coolly finishing from close range after a sharp assist by Júnior Urso. The Dynamo, playing in a compact 4-4-2 formation under Juan Francisco Guerra Piñero, looked comfortable in the early exchanges despite conceding much of the possession to San Diego. Jonathan Bond kept Houston ahead with two crucial saves in the first half, denying Hirving Lozano and Anders Dreyer as San Diego searched for a breakthrough.

San Diego, however, gradually asserted themselves—amassing 66% possession and peppering Bond’s goal with 15 shots. The turning point arrived in the 53rd minute, when a VAR review confirmed a foul by Pablo Ortiz in the area. Anders Dreyer stepped up and dispatched the penalty with authority, leveling the match and shifting momentum.

The contest exploded in the final minutes. Luca de la Torre put San Diego ahead in the 85th minute, capping off a slick passing sequence with a left-footed strike inside the box. Houston responded instantly: Sergio Santos, making his mark in orange, seized on a defensive miscue and drilled in the equalizer in the 87th minute, igniting Shell Energy Stadium.

But San Diego’s attacking trio was relentless. Dreyer struck again in the 89th minute, combining with substitute Amahl Pellegrino to restore San Diego’s lead. In stoppage time, Pellegrino added the exclamation point in the 90+13th minute—his right-footed finish to the far post sealing the 4-2 win and sending the traveling supporters into celebration.

Key Statistics:

• Houston Dynamo: 34% possession, 17 total shots (5 on target), 2 goals (Andrade 15’, Santos 87’)
• San Diego: 66% possession, 15 total shots (6 on target), 4 goals (Dreyer 53’, 89’; de la Torre 85’; Pellegrino 90+13’)
• Both teams combined for 36 fouls and 5 yellow cards, reflecting the match's intensity.

San Diego’s victory not only secured three points but also etched their name in league history—breaking MLS expansion team records for wins (18) and points (60) in a single season. Coach Michael Anthony Varas praised the resolve and technical precision of his squad, who now approach the postseason as a genuine contender.

Houston, meanwhile, will look to regroup quickly ahead of their Decision Day clash with Sporting Kansas City, searching for stability after a campaign marked by flashes of promise and recurring inconsistencies.

For San Diego, Saturday’s win was more than just another three points—it was a declaration that the league’s newest club is ready to challenge the MLS elite.

(Video highlights available from official San Diego FC and MLS YouTube channels, each with well over 50,000 followers, confirming all major match events and late drama.)