Nine Men San Diego FC Beats Toluca in Comeback Fashion

A Wednesday crowd of 20,652 fans filled into Snapdragon Stadium as San Diego FC faced Liga MX side, Deportivo Toluca, in the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16. The back-to-back Liga MX reigning champions represented the toughest opponent SDFC had faced to date.

SDFC head coach Mikey Varas made one change to the lineup, starting Oscar Verhoeven in the often-rotated right back position. Many fans also expected Pablo Sisniega to start in goal due to how well he performed against Pumas UNAM in the last round of the CCC. Instead, Duran Ferree kept his place between the posts for San Diego, highlighting the trust Varas has in the young goalkeeper.

Toluca lined up in a 5-3-2 formation to start the match, signaling a defensive minded gameplan. As previewed, Toluca was comfortable surrendering possession, sitting in a compact mid-to-low block and defending with patience. The Mexican side's star player, Alexis Vega, made a return in the last match, getting sub minutes – he was featured on Toluca's bench in this match.

First Half

The beginning of the match proved to be physical in nature. In the 7th minute, Toluca midfielder, Marcel Ruiz was shown a yellow card for a crunching tackle from behind on Onni Valakari.

Only a short time later, Marcus Ingvartsen was sent off with a straight red card for dangerous play. While defending, Ingvartsen reached for the ball with his leg – the challenge kicked a Toluca player in the box and a penalty was awarded. Jesus Gallardo stepped up and finished the opportunity with a low shot into the bottom right corner past an outstretch Ferree.

With 75 minutes left in the match, SDFC were down to ten men.

San Diego's 'Never Say Die' attitude was on full display as the boys in Chrome and Azul kept pressing. The hard work paid off in the 31st minute. Luca Bombino made an outstanding tackle in the attacking half to win back possession, then slipped a perfectly weighted through ball to Amahl Pellegrino. Pellegrino quickly delivered a cross into the path of David Vazquez, who calmly finished into the bottom-right corner to level the match at 1–1.

In the 41st minute, Toluca's captain, Marcel Ruiz, went down untouched with an apparent knee injury and had to be substituted. Nicolas Castro replaced Ruiz in the midfield.

Headlined by physicality, the first half proved to be full of drama and excitement as the U.S. and Mexico's best battled it out. A total of 14 fouls, three yellow cards, and one red card was issued.

Second Half

SDFC stayed true to their quick starts this year. In the 46th minute, David Vazquez got on the end of a low cross into the box and finished another chance to earn a brace and put SDFC up 2-1.

The goals just kept coming.

Amahl Pellegrino sent a beautiful pass down the field into the streaking run of Bombino who dumped it off to Anders Dreyer on the edge of the penalty area. Dreyer wound up and buried one of the most precise strikes of the season into the back of the net. With ten men and 35 minutes left in the match, SDFC were leading Toluca 3-1.

The 60th minute brought the first substitutions for Varas' side. Lewis Morgan entered for Vazquez and Ian Pilcher for Verhoeven.

Alexis Vega made his appearance in the 73rd minute, coming on for Jesus Angulo. The long-time Mexico national team player is amongst the crowd favorites.

Toluca came close to scoring a second goal in the 83rd minute when Vega sent in a cross that both, Manu Duah and Luca Bombino went up for – the result was a misplaced shot that went off the post.

As if this match couldn't have more drama, a minute later Manu Duah was shown a red card. Duah dove to block a shot but clearly extended his arm in the process, drawing an automatic red card and giving away another penalty. Helio Nunes, the substitute, stepped up and sent Ferree the other way as he converted the PK to make it 3-2 in the 89th minute.

SDFC showed resilience well beyond its years, overcoming two red cards and a Liga MX powerhouse to secure a dramatic 3–2 victory. In front of a roaring Snapdragon Stadium crowd, SDFC once again proved that their fearless, underdog mentality can carry them into battles with the region’s best.