San Diego FC will continue its 2025 Leagues Cup campaign this Friday, August 1, against Tigres UANL at Snapdragon Stadium.

SDFC suffered a rough 3-2 loss against Pachuca in its Leagues Cup debut, also playing at home.

Anders Dreyer received a red card in that match against Pachuca and will subsequently be unavailable for this game against Tigres. San Diego’s two goals against Pachuca came very late in the encounter, one even coming in the last minute of stoppage time.

Emmanuel Boateng and Luca Bombino scored the goals for SDFC, but the team overall struggled heavily to be confident in front of goal. San Diego had some key goalscoring opportunities squandered in the first half as a header by Jeppe Tverskov went wide and a shot by “Chucky” Lozano smashed the post.

Pachuca was able to take full advantage of San Diego’s inexperienced backline, including goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega. Manager Mikey Varas confirmed that starting Sisniega has been a tactical decision, but he may have lost his starting role after the performance against Pachuca.

Mikey Varas confirms not starting CJ dos Santos has been more of a tactical decision an also rewarding Pablo Sisniega for good play.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/tHIXtGWS7H

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) July 30, 2025

Varas did take some heavy risks with his lineup by starting veterans Paddy McNair and Luca de la Torre on the bench against Pachuca. It is highly likely that the pair are in Varas’ starting 11 against Tigres.

The offense will be heavily reliant on Hirving Lozano with Dreyer’s absence. Emmanuel Boateng or Alex Mighten are the likely candidates to replace the Danish forward in the starting lineup.

SDFC will face an even more orderly team that has arguably more talent than Pachuca this Friday. Tigres UANL has consistently been a title contender in Mexican soccer, tournament after tournament, for over a decade.

While French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac has slowed down in recent seasons, the team from Monterrey has just brought in Angel Correa. The Argentine striker was part of Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning squad and has had an illustrious career.

Correa scored two goals against the Houston Dynamo in his first Leagues Cup match and will be a key player to watch in this match. Tigres has plenty of creativity from the midfield with players like Juan Brunetta and Fernando Gorrarian.

The backline has the potential to be a challenge for SDFC, especially with Nahuel Guzman in net. The Argentine goalkeeper has been one of the best goalkeepers in Liga MX for the past decade, accumulating five Liga MX titles.

The team from Monterrey won its first Leagues Cup game 4-1 against Houston and is on a three-game winning streak in all competitions.

Tigres has one of the most well-balanced teams in Mexican soccer and is especially dangerous on the offensive front. San Diego’s young backline should be due for a very tough task this Friday night at Snapdragon Stadium.

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.