PORTLAND, Ore. — Competing in a highly anticipated clash of West Coast Conference titans, the No. 12 San Diego men's soccer team (7-2-3, 1-1-1 WCC) came up short in a highly competitive match against No. 6 Portland (9-0-2, 2-0-1 WCC) by a 2-1 final score from Merlo Field.
After the Pilots scored just two minutes into the match, the Toreros worked hard to battle back as Godwin Antwi scored an impressive equalizing goal off a nice pass from Samy Kanaan that temporarily quieted the raucous Pilot supporters.
Portland would score once more before the half as the match turned into an impressive defensive battle through the final 45 as the Pilots earned the victory on their home pitch.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Getting the match started on the front foot, the Toreros got on the attack and earned the match's first corner kick.
- Portland then got out on a breakaway after thwarting the USD chance and scored the first goal of the game in the second minute as the Toreros were temporarily playing with a man down.
- San Diego would register their first shot of the contest eight minutes into the game as Noah James delivered a strike that was blocked.
- Just under 20 minutes later in the match, the Toreros would record another shot, this time from Luca Fava which resulted in a USD corner but they couldn't even the score.
- Following a strong defensive stand, Kanaan received a nice ball and dribbled toward the middle of the park and found Antwi with a great look at the goal as he fired a low, left-footed rocket that snuck just past the Portland keeper's reach to knot the match at one apiece.
- Just before the half, Portland would respond with a goal of their own as they took a 2-1 advantage into the locker room.
- Coming out for the second half, USD earned a pair of corner kicks and recorded a shot from Taj Eagleston that sailed high over the cage.
- At the 67 minute mark, Kanaan was able to create a quality look but it sailed wide and the Toreros were still seeking an equalizing goal.
- In the final 15 minutes, San Diego created a flurry of opportunities with multiple chances but they just couldn't sneak across a match tying goal as the Pilots earned a 2-1 win at home.
TORERO TIDBITS
- San Diego out shot Portland by a 15-8 margin as the Toreros recorded 11 shots in the second half alone.
- Antwi's first half goal was his second of the 2025 season as the sophomore played 50 strong minutes off of the Torero bench while recording a USD best four shots against Portland.
- In goal, Lucca Adams recorded a pair of key saves and held the Pilots off the board the entirety of the second half.
UP NEXT
The Toreros now look forward to a nice two match home stand starting this Wednesday, October 15 as they will take on LMU (5-3-3, 1-0-1 WCC). Kick-off from Torero Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. as the program will be celebrating International Culture Night. Live video, live statistics and ticket links can be found via the team's schedule page.
