The San Diego Football Club was invited to play in their first international match in Mexico City. This match was hosted at Olimpico Universitario Stadium in the Concacaf championship as a second year MLS team.

An article by local news station NBC San Diego described how SDFC suffered a 1–0 loss to the Pumas UNAM in Mexico City. Pablo Sisniega, a goalie for SDFC, was happy to play in his hometown of Mexico City and had 8 saves and 1 goal scored on him. Before the defeat, the team had already secured a spot in the first leg with an impressive 4–2 score.

Even with that success and shocking loss, the head coach, Mikey Varas, recognized the importance of progressing but also emphasized that the level of play needs to continue improving. For Varas, the experience of playing in Mexico against a historic Liga MX side provides invaluable insight for a team that is only in its second season in MLS. The coach highlighted the need for consistency throughout international play, as small moments can quickly turn the tide in tournament competition.

According to Varas, “We all know deep inside there are a lot of things we can improve for the next round where we’re gonna have to play at altitude.” He continued by saying, “Most important tonight is when you find a way to win you have to cherish that also.”

According to The Sporting Tribune, SDFC faced Deportivo Toluca F.C., the back-to-back champions, and won the round. However, the progress of San Diego FC presents another stiff test for the team: a Round of 16 encounter with the past two consecutive Liga MX champions, Toluca.

The first leg of this encounter will be staged at Snapdragon Stadium on March 11, providing San Diego FC with another chance to leverage home support. The deciding second leg will be held in Toluca, Mexico. The match also marked a historic milestone for the young club, as it was San Diego FC’s first-ever game played in Mexico.

According to MLS, San Diego FC is set to return to MLS competition on Saturday, February 21, as it welcomes CF Montréal to its home turf at 10:30 p.m. The young team will have to learn how to juggle its league and international commitments, but the lessons learned from its experience in Mexico City could prove to be extremely valuable as the season progresses.

Riding on the success of its historic win and another milestone achieved, San Diego FC is proving that it has every right to be on the continental stage, and its adventure in the Concacaf Champions Cup is only just beginning.