San Diego FC defeated Pumas UNAM 4-1 in the first leg of their match in the first round of the CONCACAF Champions League.

SDFC will now play the return leg of this series at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario in Mexico City against Los Felinos.

Pumas began winning the first leg at Snapdragon Stadium with an impressive bicycle kick goal by Robert Morales. The away side then opted to try and defend the league against San Diego, which worked well for nearly 70 minutes.

However, Manu Duah went on to tie the game in the 68th minute, and San Diego went on to score four unanswered goals in 18 minutes. SDFC controlled possession heavily throughout the match and opted to cross the ball into the box constantly, which resulted in these four goals.

#SDFC fullback Luca Bombino on the return-leg against Pumas UNAM in Mexico City.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/Jnm6zfJcRI

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) February 5, 2026

Luca Bombino scored one of these four goals and talked about traveling to Mexico City for the return leg. “I know the atmosphere is going to be incredible. Playing in Mexico City is one of the peak places for football in the world. The altitude, I’m familiar with, I’ve been there before, but as I’ve said before, we’re just going to focus on us. Controlling the game to the way we want to play it and making sure those factors don’t affect us,” said Bombino.

#SDFC team captain Jeppe Tverskov on the return-leg against Pumas UNAM.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/BleJ0jegwx

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) February 5, 2026

Team captain Jeppe Tverskov also talked about this away game in Mexico. “Looking forward to it. It’s the first time for a lot of us, me included, so looking forward to playing in a new environment, in a big club, big stadium. That’s going to be fun, first of all. We know a lot of the altitude stuff . Ball maybe travels a little bit faster, that’s one of the small things we need to be aware of. I think the game you saw here is how we want to attack, also. Very consistent on the way we want to play, we want to have the ball and frustrate the other teams with the ball. So that’s what we’re trying to do over there as well, that’s most beneficial for us, has been in the last year, so we will continue,” said Tverskov.

The altitude has been a main focus for the media narrative heading into this match, but at 7,500 feet, it has not proven to be a game-changer for several teams that visit. It is not very significant compared to Bolivia’s home games, as an example of where the game changes completely.

In Liga MX, the altitude is not a talking point when Club Tijuana visits Mexico City teams and surrounding areas. San Diego FC especially has a very young team equipped with the physical prowess to play in these types of conditions.

Pumas UNAM would need to win this game 3-0 if San Diego gets shut out to advance to the next round of the Champions Cup. If SDFC scores a goal, Pumas would need to win 4-1 for the game to be decided in extra time and potentially a penalty shootout.

Based on statements from players, SDFC will still look to control the ball in this away game, but Pumas will come out with high attacking urgency from the initial whistle.

SDFC has never really opted to play a more defensive style of play, and it will be interesting to see Mikey Varas’ game plan in this game.

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.