Minnesota United and San Diego FC Split the Points in 1-1 Draw
Published on August 1, 2026 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release
SAINT PAUL, MN - Minnesota United settled for a 1-1 draw against San Diego FC on Saturday night at Allianz Field after Tomás Chancalay's third-minute opener was canceled out by a second-half penalty from Anders Dreyer. The Loons created several dangerous scoring chances throughout the match but were unable to find a late winner, earning a point before opening Leagues Cup play against Club Juárez on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 7:30 p.m. CT at Allianz Field.
3' (1-0) - Early in the game, Minnesota United took the lead after Argentine Joaquín Pereyra won possession and slipped a quick pass to Wil Trapp. Trapp then played a short pass to Tomás Chancalay, who fired his first-time shot into the back of the net.
7' - San Diego responded when Anders Dreyer played a long switch to connect with David Vázquez on the right flank. Vázquez then cut the ball back toward the penalty spot, where Marcus Ingvartsen's first-time attempt struck the crossbar and then the right post before defender Morris Duggan cleared the ball out of danger.
14' - Chancalay continued to be a threat as he carried the ball from the middle third to the top of the 18-yard box before firing an attempt that goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos collected.
16' - The Loons continued to create chances as Pereyra played Owen Gene through the center. Gene then flicked the ball into the path of Anthony Markanich, who was making a run down the left side of San Diego's penalty area. Markanich's attempt rolled just wide of the left post.
24' - The danger came from several Minnesota players this time, when Kyle Duncan carried to the attacking third down the right side of the field. Duncan fired a shot from outside the 18-yard box but Dos Santos made the save. Defender Dagur Thorhallsson cleared the ball but Pereyra collected the rebound and fired another long-distance shot from the center of the box, but landed to Chancalay, who hit it over the crossbar.
44' - Trapp forced Dos Santos to dive to his left after firing an attempt from the top of the 18-yard box, earning Minnesota United a corner kick.
62' (1-1) - After Alex Mighten was fouled inside the 18-yard box, striker Anders Dreyer stepped up to take the penalty kick for San Diego FC. Dreyer buried his attempt into the lower-left corner to level the match for the visitors.
70' - Off the bench, Kelvin Yeboah created a dangerous chance of his own. After a San Diego defensive mistake, Gene recovered the loose ball and laid it off for Yeboah. Yeboah turned and fired a shot, but Dos Santos made the save.
71' - Goalkeeper Callender made a crucial save to keep the match level after Dreyer found himself one-on-one with Callender. Dreyer took the shot, but Callender made the save.
90' +1 - Yeboah delivered a pass from the left flank to Pereyra near the penalty spot, where Pereyra struck a first-time effort, but Dos Santos made the save and pushed the ball out for a corner kick.
90' + 1' - Shortly after, Gabriel Pirani carried the ball from the defensive third into the attacking third before slipping a pass to Marcus Ingvartsen at the top of the penalty area. Ingvartsen fired an attempt that struck the crossbar before Minnesota United cleared the ball out of danger.
GOAL SUMMARY
1-0 MIN - Tomás Chancalay (Wil Trapp, Joaquín Pereyra) - 3'
1-1 SDFC - Anders Dreyer (Penalty Kick) - 64'
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
MIN - Mamadou Dieng (caution) - 17'
SDFC - Anders Dreyer (caution) - 64'
MIN - Drake Callender (caution) - 64'
Notable Stats
3 Minutes - Midfielder Tomás Chancalay's third-minute goal was Minnesota United's quickest goal scored, to-date, this MLS regular season. Tonight's goal was Chancalay's second regular-season goal with the Loons in 2026.
ATTENDANCE: 19,607
BELL BANK MAN OF THE MATCH: Tomás Chancalay - SOL of the Cities
LINEUPS:
Minnesota United XI: GK Drake Callender; D Anthony Markanich (Devin Padelford 65'), Jefferson Diaz, Morris Duggan, Michael Boxall ©, Kyle Duncan (Bongokuhle Hlongwane 80'); M Tomás Chancalay (Mauricio Gonzalez 80'), Owen Gene, Wil Trapp, Joaquín Pereyra; F Mamadou Dieng (Kelvin Yeboah 65')
Substitutes Not Used: GK Alec Smir; M Dominik Fitz, Carlos Harvey, Julian Gressel; F Marcus Caldeira
San Diego FC XI: GK CJ Dos Santos; D Kieran Sargeant (Luca Bombino 60'), Manu Duah, Christopher McVey, Dagur Thorhallsson; M Jeppe Tverskov ©, Onni Valakari (Anibal Godoy 83'), Alejandro Alvarado (Gabriel Pirani 60'); F David Vazquez (Alex Mighten 61'), Marcus Ingvartsen, Anders Dreyer
Substitutes Not Used: GK Duran Ferree; D Ian Pilcher, Oscar Verhoeven; F Lewis Morgan, Bryan Zamble
UP NEXT:
MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. FC JUÁREZ
Allianz Field | Saint Paul, Minnesota
08.04.2026 | Leagues Cup 2026 | Phase One Match 1
7:30 p.m. CT (Apple TV/1500 ESPN)
MINNESOTA UNITED POST GAME QUOTE SHEET
HEAD COACH CAMERON KNOWLES
On overall thoughts on tonight's match...
"I thought it was a good performance. The goal that we scored from pressing in the front half, we talked about turning those moments of high regains into quality chances and turning them into goals, and we saw that today. Unfortunate to let them [San Diego FC] back into the game with the penalty, but even then, I think if you balance the chances, we need to reward ourselves with a result."
On the boost from the first goal...
"Yeah, huge. We've talked about it. They [San Diego FC] average over 60% possession. You know it's unlikely you're going to dominate the ball against them. So to be really diligent in the way that we defend, finding moments where we can press higher up the field, was a real focus of ours. To turn those moments of transition into chances and into goals, to see that so early in the game was great for the guys and gives them a ton of belief. It's a team we've played before, and we got three points at their place. We know we can compete with them, and it continued that belief."
On thoughts on the penalty decision awarded to San Diego...
"Look, you've got a referee and a fourth official and VAR who take a look at it and call it a penalty. It's a penalty. We roll with it. I think when you look at it as a defending moment, with a guy going away from goal, in hindsight you probably don't need to be as aggressive in the way that we defend. But the decision is the decision. We had chances before that where we could score a second goal, and we had chances after that follow it where we could score the winning goal."
On MNUFC dominating the first half and making San Diego uncomfortable...
"I'm pleased you used that word, because that's exactly what we talked about is making them [San Diego FC] feel uncomfortable. That's a word we used before the game. What we've been talking about is making them feel uncomfortable with the way that we press, taking away some of their time on the ball, making it difficult for them, and threatening them in transition."
On if tonight's match serves as momentum to build upon...
"You take these performances against two good teams in the league, and there's a lot to take out of that. The frustration is just not getting the result. The balance of chances, the quality of chances we created, and the ways in which we created them, I thought that was good. If you looked at the beginning of the season, you're going to take four points off San Diego FC. Now, we'd rather reward our supporters at home with three points, and you'd take a draw on the road. But on balance, in isolation, you'd take four points."
On tonight's struggles...
"Look, I think our deliveries have been a little bit off. Typically, we've been getting the ball into really good spaces. We have great targets, and we're still generating good quality [chances]. There's also a natural thing where we were so prolific last year in the set pieces that it becomes a real clear focus for other teams in terms of how they defend them. So we continue to work on it. how we can be cleaner with throw-ins, corners, and the free kicks. But certainly, we can generate more from those [moments]."
On the goal scored early if it changed the player's performance...
"I don't think it changes the plan. I think it validates it. You go in and you want to be organized, you want to find the times you can press, you want to turn those moments into transition, knowing they're going to have the ball, and you want to be clinical in those moments. And we were. That goal just gives the guys a ton of belief into what they were doing and how they were playing the game. We created more chances that way, too. We created set-piece opportunities from that as well. It's really just about turning those chances into goals."
On the mentality and approach for Leagues Cup...
"It's a great opportunity for us to build on two good performances. Certainly, you flip the switch in terms of a different competition, but it's difficult. It's difficult to get into the next stage. You have to win games, you have to accumulate points, and I think we've got as good a draw as anyone. We'll go and attack it."
On if fatigue is a concern for MNUFC's starters...
"We made a couple of other changes, a couple of other subs. We have a squad that we'll rely on, and there will certainly be some rotation as we head into the Leagues Cup games. And, even when you see how quickly those games come around one short rest between each one, we have to be mindful of that. But we've got guys that showed at the beginning of the year that they can log a lot of minutes and play games back-to-back. Our performance department does a great job of making sure guys are ready to manage that load."
On the decision of starting forward Mamadou Dieng instead of forward Kelvin Yeboah...
"Yeah, I think we continue to see his [Mamadou Dieng] growth. You go back to that last game before the break, and I said during the week, the chances he created and the three of him, Tomás [Chancalay], and Joaquín [Pereyra] and you see it again tonight. I thought he [Mamadou Dieng] was good off the ball, the way he was able to generate pressure. He's a real threat in the air, provides that outlet for us, and gets himself into some really good areas to score. The goals will come for him, but he just needs to keep working and keep being diligent. His effort and application were outstanding, I thought."
On the team's current winless run of form and postgame words to the team this evening...
"We've started a two-match unbeaten run. There are two sides to every coin, and I firmly believe the results, in terms of wins. Last week, we played a really difficult team and held them scoreless. Today, we come against an opponent that likes to have the ball, and on balance, I think we created the better chances. So I'm confident in the way the group is playing. I'm confident in the guys we have in the locker room and the character they have to keep this unbeaten run going and start adding some wins to it."
On the difference in tonight's performance between the first and second half...
"I actually think after the penalty was scored, we came out with a bit more life to us. We were still pressing, we were still getting forward, and we had the desire to score that winning goal. You could see it right up until the end in the way the guys were playing. I thought they responded well to giving up that goal."
MIDFIELDER WIL TRAPP
On his overall thoughts on the match...
"I thought the first half we did a really, really good job. Winning the balls high under pressure, making them [San Diego FC] extremely uncomfortable. Something we said before the game was about being disruptive, and I think the goal comes from us being disruptive, right? I think as the game went on, not scoring the second goal, and then obviously the penalties is one where we would like to have back. But I felt like when we were on the front foot and pressing and winning the ball high, we made it very difficult on them."
On what the team needs to do to stay on the front foot...
"I think as we came out after the break, it's a little too passive in long balls up from Drake [Callender] from goal kicks, and then not picking up second balls. I think when we win second balls, that's where our bread and butter is, because we're able to almost play a field position game and get into the front half, which that's where a lot of our best moments come from."
On if San Diego FC's tying goal motivated the team to score...
"Yeah, I think there was some frustration after that play because it felt like a little bit of the air came out of the stadium on that one. But I appreciate the response because I think we worked to try to win the game, right? And that's what you want. You want to be on the front foot trying to win versus just trying to hold on."
On if seven winless matches impact the team...
"No. I think perception is everything, right? I mean, we can look at it as winless in seven. We can also look at it as we've played two really good teams coming out of this break here, and it's an unbeaten run that we're going to start hopefully and keep running with."
On if tonight's defensive performance is encouraging moving forward...
"Without a doubt. I think the moments where we were aggressive, where we were front foot, like I was talking about where the goal comes from, these are things that we've been emphasizing. Not just sitting and absorbing, absorbing, absorbing, but when are the moments where we can really cut through them and really apply pressure. And I think you saw that last week and you certainly saw that today."
On if making San Diego FC uncomfortable in the first half was intentional, and if he wished the pace continued into the second half...
"Yeah. Sustaining that level is not the easiest thing to do. But that doesn't excuse the fact that when we did it, it worked really well for us. So I think the push now is to try to maintain that level or some version of that level for more and more time, and ultimately use that level to score another goal, right? I think if it's 2-0, this is a different story we're talking about today."
On if the Leagues Cup occurring in the mid-season for MLS clubs versus preseason for the Liga MX clubs affects the team's approach to the tournament...
"I think for us, it's a good moment to get some wins under our belt at home under good conditions where quote-unquote stakes aren't quite as high. But I think for us there's certainly a financial incentive in the Leagues Cup. There is an ability for the squad to rotate, for guys to play that maybe haven't gotten as many minutes because Tuesday, Friday, Tuesday is significant, which I think just helps bolster the confidence of the group."
On the team's endurance, and how they prepare for Leagues Cup in the middle of the season...
"I think so much of it is what we're doing right now. The game just ended; you have to get food, you have to get sleep, you have to recover because it comes quick, and this whole week is going to be like that, and I think for us it's sometimes playing other teams and having that palate cleanser is really important to just refresh our minds, refresh our group for what's going to be the last, whatever, 15 games of the season, 16 games of the season."
On what team he's looking forward to playing the most in the Leagues Cup...
"I think Tigres is the obvious one where you sit there and go, it's a huge opponent. One of the biggest clubs in Mexico, one of the biggest clubs in North America. Tons of quality. Similar to what we had last year with Club America. I think that's a fun matchup."
DEFENDER MORRIS DUGGAN
On the draw being more frustrating or encouraging...
"We're getting to a point where it's a little bit frustrating. Obviously, I feel like the performances, even before the break, have been pretty good, but we all want a result. We need three points, and that's what we want, especially at home. This game and the last game, we came really close, so obviously it's getting a little bit frustrating. But, I mean, we've got games after games after games. We can't really get caught up in it. We're just looking forward and trying to finally get a result."
On the struggles on set pieces...
"It comes down to just competing. I think we started the first half really well with our duels and wanting to compete. We have just been a little more monotone lately with the set pieces, kind of doing the same thing. We probably need to switch it up a little bit, get more aggressive. It is something that has to come back. The more threats we have, the better. We just have to be more aggressive and want it more."
On whether the team had more life after San Diego's penalty...
"I think they got a little bit of momentum back. It was a silly goal to concede. Really, you thought it wasn't even a penalty, and then they get that chance. So it was a little bit annoying. The game got a little bit more stretched because we wanted a result, and they were kind of pushing before the 1-1, so we were a little defensive. But after the 1-1, we got back to being more aggressive. We started pressing more, so we got a few more chances and a few more good looks. We weren't able to convert, unfortunately."
On the team having two back-to-back great defensive performances and how the team can transition that into the offense as well...
"If you look at the chances we were creating,against Vancouver it was a little bit less, but we got ourselves into good positions. I don't feel like the defense is good and now the offense has to be bad. I don't think that's a thing. I think the defensive performance has to be like that every game, where we are competing and we're solid defensively. We're always going to get looks, and we're always going to get ourselves into dangerous situations that can lead to goals. I mean, today you saw we pressed, we defended well, and then we got a goal from it. So it works together. It's just about converting those situations, maybe making the final pass a little smarter. Sometimes the ball goes in the net, and sometimes it doesn't."
MIDFIELDER TOMÁS CHANCALAY
On the importance of an early goal in tonight's match...
"The early goal was so good for us. With that goal, we could take control of the game. Maybe we had to defend a little more, you know? They are the team with the most possession in the league. We had to defend a little more, but we were in a good position all game. Without the penalty, maybe we could have finished the game, you know? So I think we had the game under control the whole time."
On the team turning a corner and coming closer to a victory after seven winless matches...
"We feel like we are so close to getting back to winning. We tied two games against hard and strong teams. We are so close. We have to believe. We have to keep working. For sure, it's easier to work after getting one point. When you lose, everything goes crazy and everything gets harder. But with one point, we have to raise the level, we have to keep working, and for sure we will get back to winning."
On what to carry from the Leagues Cup competition into MLS regular season to finalize the second half of the regular season...
"The Leagues Cup is much different than MLS. The Liga MX teams are different. We have to compete, and we are ready to compete in the Leagues Cup and in MLS. Hopefully we start in a good position on Tuesday. We have to do our best work in the Leagues Cup. Hopefully we go a long way in the tournament, and hopefully we can win it too."
Major League Soccer Stories from August 1, 2026
- LA Galaxy Earn Point, Clean Sheet in Draw with FC Dallas - LA Galaxy
- Timbers Earn 2-1 Comeback Win over Seattle Sounders FC at Providence Park - Portland Timbers
- Navarro Secures Rapids' Last-Minute 1-0 Victory over Austin FC - Colorado Rapids
- FC Dallas Records Clean Sheet in Scoreless Draw at the LA Galaxy - FC Dallas
- San Diego FC Plays to 1-1 Tie against Minnesota United at Allianz Field - San Diego FC
- Robert Lewandowski Tallies Twice in Victorious Home Debut against Charlotte FC - Chicago Fire FC
- Quakes' Second-Half Lead Slips Away Late on Road - San Jose Earthquakes
- Minnesota United and San Diego FC Split the Points in 1-1 Draw - Minnesota United FC
- FC Cincinnati Score Three Late Goals to Earn Comeback Win over Quakes - FC Cincinnati
- Ten-Man Sporting KC Falls, 2-0, to Houston Dynamo - Sporting Kansas City
- St. Louis CITY SC Extends Unbeaten Streak with 1-1 Draw against Real Salt Lake at Energizer Park - St. Louis City SC
- Real Salt Lake Snaps Two-Game Losing Streak with Hard-Fought 1-1 Draw at St. Louis - Real Salt Lake
- Red Bulls Defeat Orlando City SC, 3-2, at Sports Illustrated Stadium - Red Bull New York
- Philadelphia Union Edges Atlanta United FC, 3-2 - Philadelphia Union
- Charlotte FC Edged by Chicago Fire FC, 2-1 - Charlotte FC
- Houston Dynamo FC Secure Their Second Consecutive Shutout Victory at Sporting Kansas City - Houston Dynamo FC
- Inter Miami CF Draws at Home against Columbus Crew - Inter Miami CF
- Orlando City SC Falls, 3-2, on the Road to Red Bull New York - Orlando City SC
- MLS All-Stars Trade Goals as 'Caps Fight Back - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Nashville SC Earns 2-2 Road Draw at D.C. United - Nashville SC
- Revolution and CF Montréal Duel to 2-2 Draw - New England Revolution
- LAFC Earns Point from 1-1 Draw at West-Leading Vancouver Whitecaps - Los Angeles FC
- D.C. United Tie, 2-2, against Nashville SC Home at Audi Field - D.C. United
- Atlanta United Falls, 3-2, at Philadelphia Union - Atlanta United FC
- Sounders FC Takes on Rival Portland Timbers on Saturday Night at Providence Park - Seattle Sounders FC
- Earthquakes vs. FC Cincinnati Today at 4:30 p.m. PT - San Jose Earthquakes
- Red Bull New York Add RBNY II Midfielder Nate Worth and Forward Mijahir Jiménez on Short-Term Agreements Ahead of Match against Orlando City - Red Bull New York
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