San Diego FC will play the return-leg of a round of 16 CONCACAF Champions Cup fixture against Toluca this Wednesday, March 18.

SDFC came away with a slim 3-2 win against the Red Devils at home and will now look to defend that advantage.

The first game between these sides at Snapdragon Stadium was filled with drama and excitement. Both Marcus Ingvartsen and Manu Duah received red cards in that match, and now both will be unavailable for the return-leg.

San Diego FC are just outstanding.

They beat LIGA MX-leaders Toluca 3–2 after dropping to 10 men at the 12th minute and then to 9 men at the 87th.

I’d say they’re a top-two team in MLS right now, alongside LAFC, and doing so with a 19-year-old GK. pic.twitter.com/pLy2BAFfuw

— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) March 12, 2026

Duah’s absence is particularly worrying as San Diego does not have much experience on the bench to cover that position. It seems that either Ian Pilcher or Osvald Soe will need to fill in alongside Christopher McVey.

Mikey Varas has more options to fill in Ingavrsten with Lewis Morgan as a possibility to get his first start of the year. Varas rested plenty of starters in San Diego’s last MLS match against FC Dallas. Anibal Godoy, Manu Duah, Luca Bombino, Marcus Ingvartse,n and Onni Valakari were the usual starters that were in that starting 11.

Alternate lineup as expected for Mikey Varas tonight. Duah and Ingvartsen in there after receiving red cards against Toluca. Godoy back after limited play in the last two games. Sisniega back in net. Gets first start in MLS play. #SDFC pic.twitter.com/tKHRbfPtV0

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 15, 2026

Anders Dreyer, Jeppe Tverskov, Amahl Pellegrino, and Christopher McVey all came off the bench. Duran Ferree also received a rest and will likely slot back as the starting goalkeeper at the Estadio Nemesio Diez.

San Diego lost its perfect start to the MLS season and tied 3-3 against Dallas, conceding a goal in stoppage time. The draw felt more like a loss for SDFC, and it will now try to switch the momentum positively.

San Diego was able to hold its 4-1 lead against Pumas UNAM in the previous round of the Champions Cup. The Chrome and Azul side lost 1-0 in Mexico City and will now face another very tough away fixture.

Toluca has a higher elevation than Mexico City at 8,727 feet and is notorious for being a hostile place for visiting sides. Toluca’s last loss at the Estadio Nemesio Diez came back on July 26, 2025, when Los Escarlatas fell 4-3 to Tigres UANL.

Mikey Varas is aware of the elevation and the challenges this away game will bring. “The altitude is a real thing. The ball moves different and it can affect your running. It’s just a mental challenge we need to be ready for. The nice thing is that now we have the experience of going to Mexico City, so we know what it feels like,” said Varas.

Mikey Varas on the return-leg in Toluca. #SDFC@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/REDdoNnzAD

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 12, 2026

SDFC midfielder David Vazquez also talked about the altitude in Toluca. “We know that the altitude is going to play a big factor. We’re just going to go out there, play our game like we know how to play. Hopefully, we get the result over there as well.”

David Vazquez recognized the elevation factor for the return-leg against Toluca after the first-leg at Snapdragon Stadium.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/vs0l4n9hpu

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 17, 2026

Toluca Manager Antonio Mohamed rested most of the team’s key starters in the last Liga MX game against Atlas. Helinho, Paulinho, Jesus Angulo, and Nicolas Castro all came off the bench.

Alexis Vega played the full 90 minutes in what has been his first start since coming back from an injury. Vega had some minutes at Snapdragon Stadium and is likely to start in the return leg, where his offensive prowess will be required.

San Diego struggled to maintain possession in the away match against Pumas UNAM and in the first leg against Toluca. While that was due to the early red card in the first leg of this series, Toluca will look to maintain control of the sphere.

Los Diablos Rojos will have a major absence as team captain Marcel Ruiz suffered a season-ending injury against San Diego in the first-leg. However, Toluca still has one of the best teams on the continent and will be very aggressive from the initial whistle of this match.

Toluca scored both of its goals from the penalty spot in the first leg and will be looking for a much better offensive outlook this time around.

Francisco Velasco

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.