San Diego FC and the Tijuana Xolos played an exhibition match, dubbed the Baja Cup, at Snapdragon Stadium on Tuesday, September 16. The game is part of a five-year agreement between both clubs to play an annual exhibition match at Snapdragon Stadium.

Both teams had activity over the weekend and used the game as an opportunity to rotate their respective squads. Club Tijuana’s young star, Gilberto Mora, was unavailable as he is currently with the U-20 Mexico national team.

Still, Club Tijuana utilized a number of first-team players, including Adonis Preciado, Vitinho, Aaron Mejia, and San Diego native Joe Corona.

The only consistent starter Mikey Varas used in his lineup was Anibal Godoy, who captained this team on the day. Some of the other notable players in San Diego’s starting lineup included Alex Mighten, Emmanuel Boateng, Aiden Harangi, and Ian Pilcher.

SDFC also used this as an opportunity to give some Right to Dream Academy players some playing time.

Both the U.S. National Anthem and the Mexico National Anthem were played by a mariachi band tonight.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/l2MEeeEU0i

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) September 17, 2025

There was a vibrant atmosphere in and around Snapdragon Stadium with plenty of fans from both sides at the venue. The pre-game festivities included the Xolos mascot, “El Xolo Mayor” being the honorary “Keeper of the Flow” and a live mariachi band playing both the Mexican and United States national anthems.

Vitinho opened the scoring for the Xoloitzcuintles at the Mission Valley Fortress with a goal from a long-range strike. There were some defensive miscues by the SDFC backline, which led to the goal by the visitors.

SDFC responded quickly in the 15th minute with a goal by Alex Mighten. The English forward fired a shot from just outside of the box as he was nearly falling down. This tied up the score at Snapdragon Stadium as fireworks fired in the air and a loud burst of cheers filled the Mission Valley air.

An emotional moment occurred towards the end of the first half for Club Tijuana as veteran goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona came out of the game in place of his son Jose Miguel Corona. The former national team star hugged his son before stepping onto the pitch to play his first game with the first team.

Mexican soccer legend Jose de Jesus Corona gets subbed out for his son Jose Miguel Corona. #Xolos@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/FKEAKXXSFv

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) September 17, 2025

At the start of the second half, SDFC also made a goalkeeper change as former San Diego Loyal player Duran Ferree came on for Pablo Sisniega.

Club Tijuana regained the lead with a goal by academy product Christian Leyva. The youngster was assisted by new Xolos signing Mourad El Ghezouani.

With both teams using plenty of academy players, the game kept a steady pace, and the atmosphere remained very vibrant. David Vazquez managed to tie up the game in the 76th minute for San Diego.

Vazquez was able to get to the edge of the penalty area and find a cross to bury the sphere in the back of the net.

Shortly after, in the 80th minute, Manu Duah gave SDFC a 3-2 lead as the crowd exploded in chants and cheers. San Diego looked like the better team in the final minutes of the match and reinforced this with a goal in the dying minutes.

San Diego FC defeats Xolos 4-2 in the first edition of the Baja Cup.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/KnszuWxrQo

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) September 17, 2025

Academy player Lamine Sadio was able to put a shot past Xolos’ goalkeeper to extend the lead to 4-2. Club Tijuana put up a very competitive effort early on in this game, but San Diego FC really improved in the later stages of the match.

SDFC came away with the victory and were crowned the inaugural Baja Cup champions with this result against the border city rivals.

This game was a success, given the attendance and the opportunities given to the younger players in the game. If this remains consistent over the years, it has the potential to be a very rewarding partnership for both San Diego FC and Club Tijuana.

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.