SDFC claws past Pumas UNAM 4-1 in Concacaf Champions Cup debut victory

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego FC’s dominant four-goal second-half on Tuesday night at Snapdragon Stadium claims the club's first-ever Concacaf Champions Cup win. 

After earning their spot in North America’s top annual club competition with a first-place finish in the MLS Western Conference in 2025, San Diego FC’s continental campaign began at home, hosting Liga MX side Pumas UNAM for Round One of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Coming into the match, SDFC struggled against Liga MX opposition the year prior, finishing with one win and two losses in their three Phase One matches in last season's Leagues Cup.

The starting lineup for SDFC looked familiar to their final squad lists last season, with the biggest notable change of the XI being recently signed defender Wilson Eisner, who joined on Dec, 19, 2025, via the MLS End-of-Year Waivers. 

Pumas got onto the scoresheet first and fast, with a flying bicycle kick goal in the 11-minute by forward Robert Morales, perfecting the technique and timing with his shot darting into the right side netting for the early 1-0 advantage. 

A ball-dominant half for the homeside, but SDFC were still unable to capitalize or create a strong enough chance on goal to get themselves onto the scoresheet. 

All that changed with the start of the second half as San Diego cameback and flipped the match upside down with four unanswered goals.

The first came in the 68-minute, off a corner kick cross by last season’s club MVP Anders Dreyer as he delivered a ball for unmarked defender Manu Duah inside the penalty box, powering his leaping headed shot off the far left-sided bottom post and into the goal for the 1-1 equalizer.

Only eight minutes later, new signing Wilson Eisner made an immediate impact, finding midfielder David Vazquez at the backpost with an aerial cross, as Vazquez guided in his headed attempt into the goal for the 2-1 lead in the 76-minute. 

SDFC’s offensive surge wasn’t contained, finding the net only five minutes after their second of the night, this time with subbed on forward Alex Mighten getting on the end of a loose ball initially saved by Pumas goalkeeper Keylor Navas. 

Mighten got the finishing touch inside the goal area to extend the lead to 3-1 in the 81-minute. 

To close off their offensive showcase in the second half, Luca Bombino added the club's fourth straight goal with Pumas defenders unable to clear the ball away from a dangerous area, as Bombino raced to the ball for the tap-in touch to give them the 4-1 final scoreline. 

SDFC head coach Mikey Varas spoke on his squad's mentality after the halftime break and shared his overall takeaway from the team's performance on the night.

“It's just huge credit to the guys because we have every single person inside that locker room all pulling in the same direction,” Varas said. “And again, it's the same thing. You don't always get paid, don't always get rewarded in life for that, but when you do, it feels very good.”

“I think that regardless of how this result would have went, I would have been quite happy with the game picture, because we dominated large portions of that game,” Varas said.

SDFC will take their 4-1 advantage to Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City next Tuesday, on Feb. 10, for the second leg of their Round One tie against Pumas UNAM, looking to secure their spot in the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup.