Tems’ San Diego FC Continue Their Remarkable Debut Season, Advance to Western Conference Finals

 

Tems’ part-owned club, San Diego FC, has pushed their record-breaking debut MLS season even further, securing a spot in the Western Conference Finals after a tight 1–0 semifinal win over Minnesota United.

The club, co-owned by Tems through her Leading Vibe collective, has been one of the league’s biggest surprises this year, topping the Western Conference in their first season with 63 points and 19 wins, the most ever recorded by an expansion team. Their playoff run began with a dominant 4–0 victory over the Portland Timbers, setting the tone for a confident postseason push.

Against Minnesota, San Diego edged ahead with a 72nd-minute goal from Anders Dreyer, while backup goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega held the shutout after stepping in for the injured CJ dos Santos. A crucial goal-line clearance earlier in the game kept the momentum alive, underscoring San Diego’s resilience throughout the season.

Tems, who became the first African woman to own a stake in a major U.S. professional sports franchise when she joined the ownership group in early 2025, has been present throughout the team’s rise — her involvement adding visibility and cultural significance to the club’s rapid ascent. Through her partnership with the Right to Dream academy, her role extends beyond the spotlight, linking youth development between Lagos and San Diego.

San Diego FC will now face the Vancouver Whitecaps on November 29, with a spot in the MLS Cup final on the line. A win would cap off one of the most impressive debut seasons in league history and place Tems at the centre of another unexpected but defining moment in her expanding global footprint.