Goodbye undefeated streak! San Diego flips the script against Toluca in wild Champions Cup clash

This Wednesday, in the final match of the day in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Toluca visited Snapdragon Stadium to face San Diego FC, the team that knocked out Pumas UNAM.

The game began at a furious pace; Toluca quickly took control of possession and had the home side pinned back, earning its reward just after the 15-minute mark.

In one sequence, the ball bounced around inside the Major League Soccer side’s penalty area; in the challenge, Marcus Ingvartsen made contact with Marcel Ruiz, and the referee did not hesitate – he awarded a penalty and sent off the MLS player.

After the spot kick was awarded, Jesús Gallardo converted from the penalty spot to give the two-time Liga MX champion the lead, all before 20 minutes had elapsed.

After the goal, and despite being a man down, San Diego FC began to settle into the game, found its shape and took the ball away from Toluca, forcing a defensive mistake before halftime.

After the turnover while playing out from the back, Amahl Pellegrino won the ball and sent in a low cross that found David Vázquez, who finished past Hugo González to level the score.

Just seconds into the second half, San Diego FC caught Toluca off guard inside its own box; after a series of rebounds and a poor clearance from Hugo González, David Vázquez scored again for the California side.

Minutes after the second goal, the California team struck on the counterattack and went one-on-one with Toluca’s defenders. Bombino slipped the ball to Anders Dreyer, who fired a diagonal shot past Hugo González to make it 3-1.

In the closing minutes, Manu Duah handled the ball in a clear chance for Toluca; the referee awarded a penalty, sent the player off, and San Diego finished the match with nine men. Helinho stepped up and converted from the spot for the Red Devils’ second goal.

Toluca will host San Diego FC in the capital of the State of Mexico next Wednesday, March 18.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.

San Diego FC

• 18 Duran Ferree
• 97 Christopher McVey
• 33 Oscar Verhoeven (60')
• 26 Manu Duah
• 27 Luca Bombino
• 6 Jeppe Tverskov
• 19 David Vazquez x2 (60')
• 8 Onni Valakari (89')
• 7 Marcus Ingvartsen
• 90 Amahl Pellegrino (90')
• 10 Anders Dreyer (95')
• Substitutes
• 25 Ian Pilcher (60')
• 13 Pablo Sisniega
• 17 Osvald Søe (90')
• 14 Bryan Zamblé
• 9 Lewis Morgan (60')
• 1 CJ dos Santos
• 15 Pedro Soma (89')
• 77 Alex Mighten
• 21 Bryce Duke (95')
• 24 Emmanuel Boateng
• 29 Anisse Saidi

Toluca

• 1 Hugo González
• 25 Everardo López (45')
• 2 Diego Zaragoza (91')
• 6 Federico Pereira
• 4 Bruno Méndez
• 20 Jesús Gallardo
• 14 Marcel Ruiz (40')
• 10 Jesús Angulo (72')
• 5 Franco Romero
• 26 Paulinho
• 29 Jorge Díaz (45')
• Substitutes
• 27 Franco Rossi
• 3 Briseño
• 23 Oswaldo Virgen
• 22 Luis Garcia
• 15 Pável Pérez (45')
• 7 Francisco Córdova (91')
• 13 Luan Garcia
• 11 Hélio Júnio (45')
• 24 Fernando Arce
• 9 Ernesto Vega (72')
• 28 Sebastián Aceves
• 8 Nicolás Castro (40')

Substitutions

Nicolás Castro (40', Marcel Ruíz), Pável Pérez (45', Jorge Díaz), Helinho (45', Everardo López), Lewis Morgan (60', David Vazquez), Ian Pilcher (60', Oscar Verhoeven), Alexis Vega (72', Jesús Angulo), Pedro Soma (89', Onni Valakari), Osvald Søe (90', Amahl Pellegrino), Sebastián Córdova (91', Diego Barbosa), Bryce Duke (95', Anders Dreyer)

Goals

0-1, 15': Jesús Gallardo, 1-1, 31': David Vazquez, 2-1, 45': David Vazquez, 3-1, 52': Anders Dreyer, 3-2, 89': Hélio Júnio

Cards

Referee: Walter López Castellanos
VAR Referee: Tatiana Guzman, Yasith Monge
Marcel Ruiz (6',Yellow), Marcus Ingvartsen (11',Red), Everardo López (44',Yellow), Jorge Díaz (48',Yellow), Luca Bombino (58',Yellow), Manu Duah (65',Yellow), Federico Pereira (68',Yellow), Manu Duah (87',Red)