San Diego FC overpower Pumas in Champions Cup first leg

Field Level Media|published: Wed 4th February, 02:42 2026

Feb 3, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego FC midfielder Manu Duah (26) scores on a header during the second half against Pumas UNAM at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chadd Cady-Imagn Images

A four-goal second-half explosion sent San Diego FC to a 4-1 win over visiting Pumas UNAM in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup opening-round series on Tuesday.

Pumas led 1-0 at halftime before Manu Duah's 68th-minute header off a corner kick leveled the score. David Vazquez, Alex Mighten and Luca Bombino tallied in a 10-minute span late in the game, sending San Diego FC to the decisive victory in their Champions Cup debut.

The two-game, total-goal series concludes on Feb. 10 in Mexico City. The winner advances to oppose Deportivo Toluca FC in the round of 16.

In the 76th minute, Vazquez headed in a cross from Wilson Eisner to give San Diego a 2-1 lead.

Another Vazquez back-post header in the 81st minute was saved, but Mighten knocked in the rebound from close range to double the lead.

San Diego FC's fourth goal was something of a gift. A Pumas defender struggled to get the ball out of feet for a clearance from close to the goal, and Bombino rushed in to knock it into the net.

Pumas' Robert Morales opened the scoring spectacularly in the 11th minute with a bicycle kick off a cross from Adalberto Carrasquilla.

--Field Level Media

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