San Diego FC’s Champions Cup Journey Begins

San Diego FC’s remarkable 2025 MLS expansion season was defined by historic achievements and unforgettable moments. Now, the club is poised to write another chapter in its burgeoning history as they make their debut in the prestigious Concacaf Champions Cup. Head coach Mikey Varas’ side will face off against LIGA MX powerhouse Pumas UNAM in the Round One, Leg 1 fixture at Snapdragon Stadium on Tuesday (11 pm ET | FS2, TUDN).

“We’re really excited. We had a short break, short preseason, so it’s a massive challenge to be ready for this moment,” Varas shared during Monday’s pre-match press conference. “But the boys have done just a great job of committing to the cause and to the adventure and not making anything an excuse, but just playing the hand we’ve been dealt as best we can. Really, I think the mood is really good.”

Defying Expectations: A Look Back at 2025

San Diego FC exceeded all expectations in their inaugural season, securing the Western Conference No. 1 seed with an impressive 63 points and 19 wins – both records for an MLS expansion team. This success has fueled ambitious goals for 2026, starting with a strong showing in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Dreyer Leads the Charge

Leading the charge for San Diego will be Danish star Anders Dreyer, who emerged as a serious contender for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award last season, boasting an impressive tally of 19 goals and 19 assists. Varas emphasized the team’s unwavering commitment to victory, regardless of the opponent or competition.

“I think for us, it’s really, really clear: Every time we step out on the pitch, we want to win the game, and we want to win it our way,” Varas stated. “And that doesn’t matter if it’s a friendly, or if it’s a small-sided competition or if it’s a league game. The mentality is, from the moment we get out of our car to when we get back in it, we think about winning and improving our style of play.”

Facing a Formidable Opponent

To advance to the Round of 16, San Diego FC must overcome a talented Pumas UNAM side that is already four matches into their LIGA MX Clausura campaign. The second leg will be played at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City on February 10th, with the winner facing reigning Mexican champions Toluca.

Despite a shorter preseason and potential fitness challenges, Varas remains confident in his team’s ability to compete against a Pumas squad featuring familiar faces for MLS fans, including former Vancouver Whitecaps FC player Pedro Vite and ex-Houston Dynamo FC midfielder Coco Carrasquilla.

“For us, it’s not a problem, it’s just a challenge,” Varas explained. “It’s not something we’re thinking about. What we know is that we need to lean on everything that we gained the last year, all those hours in training, all those hours together. We’re going to really lean into our style play, our teamwork and our fighting spirit while we continue to gain our rhythm. I can imagine we’ll be better as the game goes on and as the weeks go on.”

You can find more information about the Concacaf Champions Cup on the official website.