Nine-Man San Diego Shock Toluca in Champions Cup Madness; Pec Hat-Trick Seals Galaxy Rout
San Diego FC defied two red cards to beat Toluca 3-2 in a chaotic Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 first leg, thanks to goals from David Vazquez and Anders Dreyer's stunner. LA Galaxy cruised 3-0 past Mount Pleasant with Gabriel Pec's hat-trick, while Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF played out a tense 0-0 draw. Second legs loom large as teams chase quarter-final glory and international qualification.
Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16: Heroes, Red Cards, and Missed Chances
Picture this: you're at the pub, pint in hand, and someone says MLS newcomers San Diego FC have just beaten Liga MX kings Toluca with only nine men on the pitch. Sounds like a tall tale, right? Well, it happened in the first leg of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16, as reported by Dylan Butler for MLSsoccer.com and OneFootball. Buckle up – there were thrills, spills, and a Brazilian wizard too.
San Diego's Nine-Man Epic: 3-2 Thriller at Snapdragon Stadium
San Diego FC kicked off their debut Champions Cup campaign with a proper shocker. They started disastrously when Marcus Ingvartsen got a straight red for a high boot, gifting Toluca a penalty that Jesús Gallardo slotted home. But the home side fought back – David Vazquez levelled on 32 minutes and then bagged another just after the break to put them ahead.
Enter superstar Anders Dreyer, the Danish dazzler who's already an MLS MVP contender in his first 2025 season. His 53rd-minute rocket from outside the box? Pure filth – the kind that has keepers diving like they've seen a ghost. Toluca pulled one back late via Helinho's spot-kick after Manu Duah's desperate handball on the line earned a second red (and another pen). Yet San Diego clung on for a vital 3-2 lead to take to Estadio Nemesio Díez on March 18. Nine vs 11 for nearly 80 minutes? That's the stuff of legends, lads.
LA Galaxy's Pec Party: 3-0 Demolition of Mount Pleasant
Over in Carson, LA Galaxy made light work of Jamaican outfit Mount Pleasant, romping to a 3-0 win at Dignity Health Sports Park. Step forward Gabriel Pec, the Brazilian forward who treated the crowd to a hat-trick masterclass. He opened the scoring after just six minutes, then added two more in the dying embers – 89th and 90+6th – to seal the deal.
There was a VAR drama when a Harbor Miller header was chalked off for João Klauss' handball in the build-up, but Pec wasn't fazed. Mount Pleasant now face an uphill battle in the second leg at Independence Park on March 19. Galaxy fans will fancy their chances of progressing to the quarters, where they could meet those plucky San Diegans.
Nashville and Inter Miami: A Goalless Grudge Match
In the Eastern Conference showdown, Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF cancelled each other out in a 0-0 bore draw at GEODIS Park. Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has pinned the Champions Cup as their big target for 2026, but they couldn't break the deadlock despite Nashville peppering the goal with 15 shots.
The hosts will rue chances galore, especially Sam Surridge's half-volley that Dayne St. Clair somehow clawed away. Miami held firm, though, and now host the decider on March 18 at their stadium. The winner faces either Philadelphia Union or Club América next – no room for slip-ups.
What's Next in the Road to Glory?
These first legs set up mouthwatering returns, with aggregate winners booking quarter-final spots in April. The big prize? A crack at the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. San Diego's resilience, Pec's brilliance, and that Nashville profligacy – it's all wide open. Grab your scarf, it's Champions Cup fever!
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