San Diego FC will host the Tijuana Xolos for a game in the 2026 Leagues Cup at Snapdragon Stadium this Sunday, August 9.

This will be the first meeting in an official competition between these teams, as the atmosphere is expected to be electric in a sold-out Snapdragon Stadium.

Both teams are coming off losses in the Leagues Cup and will be looking to get back on track in this tournament. San Diego FC suffered a 3-1 loss against Club America at the Estadio Azteca.

Luca Bombino scored the lone goal for a San Diego side that was never really in the game. All three of Club America’s goals came in the first half in what was a very lopsided affair.

Mikey Varas’ frontline, made up of Gabriel Pirani, Lewis Morgan, and Anders Dreyer, was very ineffective in this match. The three-man backline for Varas also seemed very exposed as the manager subbed out two of his defenders at the start of the second half.

SDFC has only won one of its last six games in all competitions as this bleak season continues. Hirving Lozano was recently let go on a loan to LA Galaxy, which has caused some backlash within the Azul and Chrome fan base.

Varas’ side has struggled offensively and desperately needs to add another key piece to the offense. Dreyer has been unable to carry the weight of the entire attacking front this season.

While Club Tijuana suffered a 2-0 loss to Austin FC in the Leagues Cup, it has been a very positive season domestically. That loss to Austin was a disappointing one for the Border City Dogs, where Ivan Tona ended up with a red card and will now be unavailable for this match.

Manager Sebastian Abreu used some young academy players in that game against Austin, like Joban Gonzalez and Alejandro Magallon, but it was a strong lineup overall. Gilberto Mora played 84 minutes in that match and ended the match with three shots.

Mora and Xolos have been training in San Diego since this past Friday and will be more than ready for this match.

Apart from the young superstar, Xolos has a very solid backline, which will be tough for SDFC to break down. Jackson Porozo commands this defense with his immense physical presence at 6-foot-4.

Goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez is also very consistent and made four total saves in the loss to Austin FC.

The Xoloitzcuintles are currently second on the Liga MX table after three games played and are undefeated in that competition. There is no doubt that Club Tijuana is in much better form than SDFC, but the Azul and Chrome team will have the home-field advantage.

Xolos has struggled historically on the road, and while this has improved under Sebastian Abreu, there are still inconsistencies in away games. There is no question that the Aztec Canines always have a much clearer edge at home in 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.