Written by Tyler Sonderholzer
Photo by Joaquin Serrato
“The key was to continue to stay persistent, make a few little adjustments to see if we could open up space and close a bit better,” head coach Mikey Varas said. “It’s just a huge credit to the guys, because we have every single person inside that locker room all pulling in the same direction.”
SDFC qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup following their first-place finish in the Western Conference during the 2025 MLS Regular Season.
Even as San Diego FC controlled possession and the tempo of the game early on, Pumas opened the scoring in the 11th minute on a bicycle kick from Robert Morales after a great pass from midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla.
SDFC dominated the first half with a 71.8-28.2% possession advantage and more shot attempts, but mustered only one shot on net, which was saved by Puma goalkeeper Keylor Navas. As for the Pumas, their only shot resulted in a goal.
The story of the first half was one perfect chance resulting in the only goal versus several good, but not good enoug,h chances for San Diego.
Only one substitution was made during halftime as Carrasquilla was replaced by defender Jose Caciedo due to injury.
Just like the first half, San Diego FC had the possession advantage, but also could not finish their chances with shots going off target.
With his team needing a spark, head coach Mikey Varas made two substitutions with forward Alex Mighten replacing fellow forward Marcus Ingvartsen and midfielder David Vazquez replacing midfielder Pedro Soma.
Pumas also made two substitutions with midfielder Alan Medina entering the game for Jordán Carrillo and forward Guillermo Martínez replacing Morales due to an injury.
After the failed chances, SDFC finally scored to level the game in the 68th minute with defender Manu Duah heading it in on a corner kick from Vazquez.
Vazquez’s substitution proved to be even more vital as he scored on a header to give SDFC a deserved 2-1 lead just eight minutes later.
“We’re just trying to push for the goal, and eventually it came, and we’re just super excited,” Vazquez said. “We kept going and we didn’t give up.”
Substations can transform a game and that is exactly what happened for the hosts as Mighten scored a goal of his own in the 81’ on a rebound that Navas failed to control.
Defender Luca Bombino joined the goal party as he hammered home a goal after a sloppy clearance from the Pumas defense to extend the lead to 4-1 for the fourth goal in 18 minutes.
Following six minutes of added time, the final whistle signaled a thrilling 4-1 victory in the first leg.
The second leg is on Feb. 10 at 5:00 p.m. in Mexico City and the aggregate winner will face Toluca FC of Liga MX in the Round of 16.