San Diego FC falls 3-1 to Club America in Leagues Cup opener
Club America
San Diego FC began its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign against Club America at the Estadio Azteca this Thursday, August 6. SDFC went into the game as the heavy underdogs away from home and did suffer a 3-1 loss.
San Diego had only won one of its last five games before this and was facing a better roster and a more in-form team.
Mikey Varas went with a three-man backline consisting of Manu Duah, Ian Pilcher, and Christopher McVey, with CJ dos Santos in net. Luca Bombino and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson played as the wing-backs in the formation.
The midfield featured Onni Valakari and Jeppe Tverskov, while Anders Dreyer, Gabriel Piran, i and Lewis Morgan made up the attack. Club America really showcased its dominance from the initial whistle and opened the scoring in the 11th minute.
Brian Rodriguez weaved his way effortlessly past the SDFC backline and finished a scoring opportunity in the box. The Liga MX team was far from done in this first half as Erick Sanchez extended America’s lead in the 33rd minute.
¡Cómo la armó el Rayito! ⚡️
El uruguayo adelanta a las Águilas en casa en su debut en #LeaguesCup2026 🏆
Mira @ClubAmerica vs. @sandiegofc en @AppleTV 📺 https://t.co/MVPcF6a5l2 pic.twitter.com/NFimtOL1ef
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 7, 2026
Brian Rodriguez was key in the scoring play once again as he sent the cross to Sanchez, who just tapped the ball into the net.
¡Brian lo prepara y ‘Chiquito’ lo firma! Las Águilas ya lo ganan 2-0 en casa 🏟️🦅
Mira @ClubAmerica vs. @sandiegofc en @AppleTV 📺 https://t.co/MVPcF6a5l2 pic.twitter.com/eSn7EVyclY
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 7, 2026
Rodriguez provided another assist on America’s third and final goal of the half and the game. The Uruguayan playmaker sent a ball to Isaias Violante on the right wing.
Violante cut in and struck the ball with sharp precision and power to make it a 3-0 game. By the time the first half whistle came, the game seemed all but over for San Diego FC.
¡Violanteee! ¡Ya son 3️⃣ para las Águilas!
Mira @ClubAmerica vs. @sandiegofc en @AppleTV 📺 https://t.co/MVPcF6a5l2 pic.twitter.com/zTXTXZGA9w
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 7, 2026
Mikey Varas made some changes at the half, bringing on Oscar Verhoeven and Ian Murphy for Pilcher and Thorhallsson.
Varas’ changes were all ineffective as Club America was able to keep the lead without much effort. CJ dos Santos kept SDFC in the match with several saves in the game, and a goal eventually came for the visitors in the 63rd minute.
Luca Bombino scored what was a very messy goal after some weird bounces and miscues, but it was far too late to make an impact on this match.
Bombino finds the net for @sandiegofc y recorta distancias at Estadio Banorte ⚽️
Watch on @AppleTV 📺 https://t.co/MVPcF6a5l2 pic.twitter.com/hBJ7Qu8aYI
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 7, 2026
Club America had a comfortable lead and was able to maintain it to get the 3-1 lead. SDFC were never really in this game and struggled heavily against a much better opponent.
San Diego FC will now face Club Tijuana, who lost 2-0 to Austin FC in Texas. Fans are anticipating this Border City Classic at Snapdragon Stadium in what should be a game with an immense atmosphere in Mission Valley.
Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.