Minnesota United’s defense-first game plan was panning out almost to perfection Monday night through 70 minutes of an MLS Western Conference semifinal in San Diego.

The Loons were conceding a ton of possession but few scoring chances, and providing some threats on their own counter attacks.

Then San Diego’s do-everything attacker Anders Dreyer got space and ripped a powerful shot into the upper corner of the net in the 72nd minute for a 1-0 win at Snapdragon Stadium.

Top-seeded San Diego ended the fourth-seeded Loons’ season and will host second-seeded Vancouver in the West final at 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Loons’ season ends in the Western Conference semifinal for a second straight year.

Dreyer headlined the Loons’ scouting report. The Dane won MLS newcomer of the year with 36 combined g

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