Dreyer, with hand from Lozano, guides SDFC in 2-1 win over Chicago

Anders Dreyer scored two goals to help San Diego FC beat the Chicago Fire 2-1 on Saturday. San Diego’s Pablo Sisniega, in for an injured CJ Dos Santos, made his first start of the season and had three saves as the victory kept SDFC at the top of the Western Conference standings. Dreyer, with 11 goals and 15 assists this season, became the third player in MLS history to record at least 10 goals and 15 assists in his debut season. Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco had 22 goals and 16 assists in 2015 and and Minnesota’s Darwin Quintero finished with 11 goals and 15 assists in 2018. Dreyer remains hot after becoming SDFC’s first-ever MLS Player of the Month in June. San Diego (12-6-3), which lost 4-3 to Houston last Saturday, has won five of six. Chicago (8-9-4), going in the other direction, has lost four of five. Anders Dreyer scored twice in SDFC’s 2-1 over the Chicago Fire. (Photo courtesy of San Diego FC) Dreyer scored in the eighth minute to give San Diego a 1-0 lead. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano – in his first start after coming off the bench twice since coming back from an injury on May 31 – played a low cross from the left side. It slipped through three defenders before Dreyer stopped it and then calmly scored from just outside the 6-yard box. In the third minute of first-half stoppage time Dreyer scored on a first-touch finish off another cross played by Lozano to make it 2-0. Luca Bombino also was credited with assists on both SDFC goals. Hugo Cuypers scored in the 87th minute and Chris Brady had two saves for the Fire. His team, head coach Mikey Varas said, doesn’t “let little hiccups become a big deal,” referring to the Houston setback. But even though San Diego and Chicago are going in different directions, he credited the Fire for their tough play. “Two-zero is always a tough score, because the opponent feels that they’re close, right?” he said. “And if they get a goal, things can change. So, they were still really pressing with a lot of intensity.”  SDFC has a busy week ahead as the club begins a three-game streak of home matches by hosting Toronto (4-11-6) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. They play again three days later, welcoming third-place Vancouver (11-5-5).