San Diego FC played the first leg of its CONCACAF Champions Cup series against Pumas UNAM this Tuesday, February 3, at Snapdragon Stadium. The Champions Cup is the most prestigious tournament in North America, and SDFC was up against a tough Liga MX side.

There was an electric atmosphere at the Snap with plenty of fans from both sides generating excitement in the stands.

There were some surprises in Mikey Varas’ first starting 11 of the year. Pablo Sisniega earned Varas’ trust after an excellent playoff run last season and started this game in between the sticks.

Not many people tailgating like on usual weekend games, but plenty of people at the fan fest just outside Snapdragon Stadium. Several Pumas fans present.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/6Nn6QBO6SC

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) February 4, 2026

The backline was comprised of Luca Bombino, Christopher McVey, Manu Duah, and Wilson Eisner, making his SDFC debut. Jeppe Tverkov, Anibal Godoy, and Pedro Soma made up the midfield. The attacking three consisted of Amahl Pellegrino, Andres Dreyer, and Marcus Ingvartsen.

The biggest surprise of the lineup had to be seeing Eisner in place of Ian Pilcher, who received consistent playing time last season.

Pumas UNAM had a clear game plan to try and limit damage with a five-man backline. Decorated goalkeeper Keylor Navas captained the Mexico City team in net.

Pumas was also banking on counter-attacking play and capitalizing on errors, which worked out in the 11th minute of the match. Luca Bombino tried clearing the ball and it fell to Pedro Vite. Anibal Godoy tried to recover the ball, but again it fell to Vite, who passed the ball to Adalberto Carrasquilla on the wing.

The Panama international crossed the ball into the box, and Robert Morales was there to finish the opportunity spectacularly via a bicycle kick. The goal was one of the best seen at Snapdragon Stadium as the Paraguayan striker gave the visitors a vital away goal and an early lead.

Mikey Varas’ initial words after the huge 4-1 win against Pumas. Thanked the grounds crew for getting the field ready after Monster Jam.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/o5Mi0Dx5Iv

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) February 4, 2026

Pumas went on to hang onto that lead after the initial 45 minutes, really playing a rigid game in defense. San Diego controlled 72 percent possession in the first half, but were only able to get one shot on target. The visiting side only had one total shot, but it was a fascinating bicycle kick goal.

The first 25 minutes of the second half brought more of the same that was seen in the first 45 minutes at Snapdragon Stadium. Frustration grew for the Azul and Chrome side as the minutes passed and Pumas kept that defensive block.

However, persistence paid off, and San Diego was finally able to break through in the 68th minute with a set-piece goal. Anders Dreyer crossed the ball into the penalty area off a corner kick and found Manu Duah, who headed the sphere into the back of the net.

Fireworks went off at the Mission Valley Fortress, and the large crowd burst into cheers for the home side. SDFC maintained urgency and intensity after that tying goal, as Mikey Varas and company knew the importance of that away goal for Pumas. The run of play changed completely after that first goal by San Diego.

Crossing the ball into the box was a game plan that was used all night for Mikey Varas, and it worked on the first goal and again in the 75th minute. Newcomer Wilson Eisner whipped the ball into the area, and David Vazquez was on the end of it to give the home team the 2-1 lead.

Crossing led to SDFC’s third goal of the night in the 81st minute as Anders Dreyer found David Vazquez in the box. Vazquez’s header was stopped by Keylor Navas, but Alex Mighten reacted quickly on the rebound for the goal.

Pumas manager Efrain Juarez on the 4-1 loss to San Diego FC in English.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/JWVTGT6oz4

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) February 4, 2026

The home crowd grew with euphoria in the stand,s and Mikey Varas’ squad was not done yet. Christopher McVey sent a pass into the box that Pumas’ defenders were unable to clear before Luca Bombino slid in to score the goal.

Anders Dreyer played a massive role in the goal as he sent the pass that found McVey open on the wing.

Pumas fell apart in the second half after doing a fantastic job at stopping SDFC for nearly 70 minutes. After the first half, this type of second half was not expected, showcasing yet again San Diego’s ability to come back from an adverse scoreline.

Pumas were able to get that away goal, but the 4-1 lead is expected to be enough for San Diego in the away leg in Mexico City. It will be interesting to see just how Mikey Varas sets up his team for a Pumas side that will be forced to play the second leg completely different from this clash 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.