February 2 -Snapdragon Stadium will be buzzing as San Diego FC make their debut appearance in Concacaf’s biggest club tournament.
Major League Soccer’s newest franchise will face off against Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, aka, Pumas UNAM, in the Champions Cup. San Dego finished first in the Western Conference last season, earning an impressive 63 points, with a squad that mixes youth and experience in equal measures.
Anchoring the team is goalkeeper CJ dos Santos, who recorded 10 clean sheets in 30 appearances. Chris McVey provides veteran leadership across the backline, while former UCSB Gaucho, Manu Duah, is being widely touted as the next Claude Makelele; however its in the offensive third of the field where SDFC comes alive.
Danish international Anders Dreyer was the most explosive winger in MLS last season, scoring 19 goals along with 19 assists. At times, the former Anderlecht star was unplayable, earning the MLS Newcomer of the Year for 2025. His close relationship with fellow Scandinavian Amahl Pellegrino has all the makings of a partnership that will test the best of the best. Both Dreyer and Pellegrino have committed their long-term futures to the club.
Under Mikey Varas, San Diego FC’s first head coach, the team relies on high-intensity pressure to win the ball back quickly, to create fast-paced decision-making in the offensive third. This is a team that likes to gamble, and they’ll play direct, no-nonsense soccer when the situation demands a different look.
While not having a great deal of club experience, Varas spent time with U.S. Soccer, including as interim head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team and as head coach of the U-20 squad. He led the U-20s to an undefeated Concacaf U-20 title.
As one of Cuatro Grandes (Big Four of Mexico), which also includes Club America, Chivas de Guadalajara, and Cruz Azul. Pumas are two-time Campeón de Campeones, three-time Concacaf Champions Cup (formally Champions League) Champions, and Copa MX (México) Champions.
Stirring the straw for Pumas are midfielder Jorge Ruvalcaba, who scored five goals and four assists last season in Liga MX, and forward Guillermo Martínez, who is known for being an imposing striker and being an aerial threat.
The biggest name in the squad is Keylor Navas. The former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper has experienced winning at the highest level, securing three UEFA Champions Leagues, and the Concacaf’s Men’s Player of the Year in 2014 and 2017.
Pumas are led by Efraín Juárez, a former Mexican international defender who transitioned into coaching. Juárez has brought organisation to the side, combining aggressive pressing with disciplined defending. Perhaps most crucially, Juárez has previous MLS experience playing with the Vancouver Whitecaps and then assisting at NYFC as they won the MLS Cup in 2021.
With a four-match unbeaten streak in Liga MX already under their belt, along with a pre-season, the Mexicans come into this game with a distinct advantage.
The return leg is on the February 10 in Mexico City.