San Diego FC returns home this weekend to celebrate the Club’s first-ever Pride Night, presented by Alaska Airlines in partnership with San Diego Pride, as they host the Portland Timbers at Snapdragon Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM on Saturday, Aug. 23, with live coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, plus English radio on San Diego Sports 760 AM and Spanish radio on TUDN 1700 AM. Get tickets to the match here!
Pride Night at Snapdragon Stadium
Saturday’s match will be more than just a clash for three points as SDFC honors and uplifts the LGBTQ+ community through a vibrant celebration of unity and inclusion. The first 10,000 fans to enter will receive a Pride-themed luggage tag courtesy of Alaska Airlines, while a Theme Night Ticket Package offers fans the chance to secure a limited-edition Pride-branded bucket hat.
Pre-match festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. PT at Fan Fest, featuring local LGBTQ+ performers, interactive activities, and community partner activations. The evening’s Keeper of the FLOW will be U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer and 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Shannon Mac Millan, Chief Impact Officer of San Diego Wave FC.
Fans can also look forward to Pride-themed visuals across the stadium, from rainbow corner flags and smoke in the supporters’ section to special warm-up tops worn by players. “Diversity is our superpower,” said SDFC CEO Tom Penn. “Pride Night is about celebrating the beautiful intersection of love, football, and community here in San Diego.”
SDFC Riding Historic Form
San Diego enters Saturday’s showdown fresh off a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory at San Jose, becoming the first expansion club in MLS history to win six straight road matches in its debut season. With that win, SDFC improved to 16-7-4 (52 points), maintaining first place in both the Western Conference and the Supporters’ Shield race.
Winger Anders Dreyer continues his record-breaking season, tallying his 13th goal against the Earthquakes. With 30 goal contributions (13 goals, 17 assists) in 27 matches, Dreyer now holds the MLS record for most goal contributions by a player in an expansion team’s first season, surpassing Carlos Vela’s 27 with LAFC in 2018.
The win also marked the return of forward Marcus Ingvartsen, who scored his second goal of the season and recorded his first MLS assist after missing significant time with injury.
Expansion History on the Line
With a victory against Portland, SDFC would tie the MLS expansion record for wins (17, set by St. Louis CITY SC in 2023). The Club also sits just five points shy of LAFC’s expansion points record (57 in 2018), keeping the Supporters’ Shield within reach heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Scouting the Opponent – Portland Timbers
Portland enters the matchup following a 3-2 home loss to FC Cincinnati and currently sits sixth in the Western Conference standings with 37 points (10-9-7). This will mark the first-ever meeting between San Diego and Portland, a clash between two clubs known for their passionate and inclusive fan bases.
New Arrival – Leo Duru Joins SDFC
San Diego also bolstered its roster this week with the addition of defender Leo Duru from EFL Championship side Blackburn Rovers F.C. The 20-year-old joins on loan through June 2026 with a permanent purchase option. “We’re happy to welcome Leo to San Diego,” said SDFC Sporting Director Tyler Heaps. “He’s a player with exceptional physical attributes who can also play further forward, and we look forward to supporting his development here.”
Playoff Watch: SDFC Could Clinch This Weekend
SDFC enters Matchday 30 with a clean, decisive path to the playoffs: SDFC clinches a spot with a win or draw vs. Portland Timbers. If that doesn’t happen, there are 11 additional qualification scenarios involving other Western Conference results. Read the full list of playoff scenarios HERE.
Tickets & More Information
Tickets for Pride Night are available now here. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to take part in pre-match festivities and secure their Pride-themed luggage tag courtesy of Alaska Airlines. There are still a limited number of Theme Night Ticket Packages which include a ticket to the match and a Pride themed bucket hat - get your package here!
