C.F. Pachuca vs. San Diego FC

San Diego FC arrived at Snapdragon Stadium brimming with optimism on July 29, 2025, looking to make a statement in their Leagues Cup debut. The night delivered drama—but ultimately ended in heartbreak. Falling 3–2 to Club Pachuca, SDFC’s spirited comeback underlined both their potential and the gulf in experience that still separates them from Liga MX opposition.

Pachuca showed the kind of composure and precision that defines continental contenders. Víctor Guzmán’s bizarre opening goal in the 23rd minute, courtesy of a rebound off his face, set an early warning tone. Alexéi Domínguez, however, was the real standout: doubling the lead just before halftime and adding a stunning long-range strike in the 67th minute to put the game firmly beyond San Diego’s reach. By then, it felt like the Mexican side was in firm control.


But credit must be given to San Diego FC’s late surge. Emmanuel Boateng’s low finish in the 88th minute, fed by debutant Aidan Harangi, rekindled hope. Then, in stoppage time, Luca Bombino rose to head home what felt like a monumental equalizer. That hope was extinguished only when Anders Dreyer was controversially sent off in the 92nd minute—leaving SDFC a man short and the comeback bid doomed.


For San Diego, the evening was both encouraging and sobering. On one hand, their ability to rally late showed character, especially given Dreyer’s red card and the youth-laden defense. On the other, Pachuca’s two-goal cushion by the hour mark exposed recurring issues in transition and decision‑making under pressure.

Now, San Diego FC sit bottom of their group with the clock already ticking toward their next fixture against Tigres UANL on August 1. They’ll need to build on the positives of this debut—Boateng’s impact, Lozano’s constant threat, moments of bravery—and iron out the disorganization that left them shell-shocked for long stretches.

Ultimately, this 3–2 loss was a tough learning experience. It reinforced the reality that in high-stakes tournaments, experience matters—and while MLS expansion teams like San Diego can push and rally, the artistry and discipline of clubs like Pachuca remain the benchmark. If SDFC can harness the lessons from this match, their Leagues Cup journey may yet have meaning beyond a debut defeat.