Here are five storylines to know ahead of this highly anticipated clash at Snapdragon Stadium.<\/p>\n
Whoever advances will meet the Eastern Conference winner, either Inter Miami CF<\/a> or New York City FC<\/a>, in MLS Cup presented by Audi on Dec. 6.<\/p>\n Best debut season in MLS history? There\u2019s a case to be made for Anders Dreyer<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Danish international joined San Diego in January from Belgian powerhouse Anderlecht to relatively little fanfare, only to establish himself as one of the league\u2019s premier stars. The key figure behind SDFC\u2019s historic expansion season, Dreyer produced 19g\/19a to earn MLS All-Star<\/a>, Best XI<\/a> and Newcomer of the Year<\/a> honors.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old has shown no signs of letting up in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, posting 4g\/2a in four postseason matches \u2013 including the lone strike in San Diego’s 1-0 win<\/a> over Minnesota United FC<\/a> in the Western Conference Semifinal.<\/p>\n Vancouver were already one of the biggest MLS stories of 2025, reaching the Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> final and competing for the top spot in the Western Conference in their first season under head coach Jesper S\u00f8rensen.<\/p>\n But the \u2018Caps hit another level in August when signing Germany and Bayern Munich legend Thomas M\u00fcller<\/a>. The biggest signing in club history has been more than advertised, contributing 9g\/4a in 11 matches across all competitions and helping Vancouver win a fourth straight Canadian Championship<\/a> to become the most decorated German player of all-time<\/a>.<\/p>\n M\u00fcller\u2019s impact goes beyond numbers, as evidenced by his leadership qualities in last weekend\u2019s Western Conference Semifinal defeat of LAFC<\/a> and fellow international superstar Son Heung-Min<\/a>. The Raumdeuter was as influential as ever as Vancouver won a playoff game for the ages<\/a> that was ultimately decided on penalty kicks.<\/p>\n Best expansion team in MLS history? There\u2019s a case to be made for San Diego.<\/p>\n Led by Dreyer, fellow Designated Player Chucky Lozano<\/a> and midfielder Jeppe Tverskov<\/a>, the Chrome-and-Azul set a new standard for first-year teams in the league, establishing records for points (63) and wins (19) en route to the West No. 1 seed.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been more of the same in the playoffs, with Mikey Varas\u2019 side dispatching the Portland Timbers<\/a> in Round One before taking care of business against Minnesota in the Conference Semifinals.<\/p>\n San Diego are looking to become just the second expansion team in history to win MLS Cup, following the 1998 Chicago Fire<\/a>.<\/p>\n Like San Diego, Vancouver\u2019s 2025 season has also been the stuff of dreams.<\/p>\n After moving on from longtime head coach Vanni Sartini, the \u2018Caps sought a new identity under S\u00f8rensen. The Danish manager delivered immediately, leading the club to the Concacaf Champions Cup final, a fourth straight Canadian Championship title and the thick of the Supporters\u2019 Shield race.<\/p>\n Along the way, he got career-best seasons out of midfielder Sebastian Berhalter<\/a> and defender Tristan Blackmon<\/a>, among others, with both stars earning their first USMNT<\/a> call-ups this year.<\/p>\n With M\u00fcller now in the mix, the \u2018Caps have reached their first Conference Final and are on the verge of playing for the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy. Will Vancouver cap their magical season by lifting MLS Cup?<\/p>\n Berhalter has evolved into an elite midfielder during his breakout 2025 season, producing 4g\/11a to earn MLS All-Star and Best XI distinctions while raising his USMNT profile ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n