With the MLS season on the horizon, San Diego FC continue to show they’re no ordinary second-year soccer club.
The latest example came Tuesday when San Diego disposed of Liga MX stalwart Pumas in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The MLS squad lost the match at Estadio Olimpico Universitario in Mexico City 1-0 but easily advanced on aggregate after winning the first leg 4-1 in San Diego on Feb. 3.
San Diego head coach Mikey Varas told reporters earlier this week that he wasn’t going to tell his team to play conservatively and protect the lead.
“We will never turn away from our convictions for the style of play that we have,” Varas said. “What you will see is San Diego FC going after the game, trying to score goals, trying to score the next goal, trying to be a protagonist.”
But it was Pumas who was the aggressor from the start. The three-time Champions Cup winner took 26 shots to San Diego’s five. They also made more than 250 more passes than their MLS opponent, had 21 crosses to San Diego’s two, and put nine shots on target.
But goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega was more than up to the challenge of keeping Pumas from making things interesting in the high altitude of the Mexican capital.
After a scoreless first half, Pedro Vite (who was transferred from the Vancouver Whitecaps last July) beat Sisniega with a free kick in the 47th minute, sending the ball from just outside the front-left of the 18-yard box over everyone in front of the net and seeming to catch Sisniega off-guard. The goalkeeper reacted too late as the ball skipped in under his right foot.
But Sisniega saved the other shots that went his way and the San Diego defense stood tall in front of him, making 23 clearances.
Up next for San Diego is reigning Liga MX champion Toluca in the round of 16. First legs begin March 10-12.
–Field Level Media
