The initial results bode well.
Manu Duah #26 of the San Diego FC celebrates after a goal against the Pumas UNAM during the CONCACAF Champions Cup match at Snapdragon Stadium on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 in San Diego, California. For San Diego FC, high altitude describes more than a schedule that features two matches a mile-plus above sea level in central Mexico.
Springy, 6-foot-4 Manu Duah hit a perfect header in Mission Valley last week after rising well above the scrum to meet Ander Dreyer’s precise corner kick.SDFC will resume Concacaf play March 11 in Mission Valley, taking on Mexico’s Toluca FC in the first leg of the Round of 16. A week later, they’ll travel to Toluca’s stadium — 1.7 miles above sea level — for the second leg. If Pumas reaped greater stamina from high-altitude training, the San Diegans held an edge in height and their strong desire to apply it.“We have a lot of big guys,” he noted. Not just tall, the physical trio of defensive midfielder Tverskov , defender Chris McVey and forward Marcus Ingvartsen can thrive in scrums. Twenty-year-old Osvald Soe, a defender who arrived from Denmark last month, stands 6-2 and may still be filling out.As a result, the smaller-statured Mexican team had to defend larger players in tight quarters. Those physical encounters, which SDFC’s players seemed to relish, likely added to Pumas’ attrition.“That feels like an easier way to get a goal,” he said. “It opens up games. We have a lot of goals on counters and combining in front of the box, chipping over, and whatever.” Duah’s authoritative finish in the 68th minute stood as the largest goal of the two matches. A sharp-angled, 7-yard header to the lower left corner, it rewarded SDFC’s ball-control dominance. Pumas allowed three more goals in the next 17 minutes. “It was just wonderful,” Duah said of his redirect. “It was just the right time, the right position, a good ball from Anders.” Duah and Tverskov said the three-and-a-half-week training camp sharpened efforts to cash in on corner kicks and other set pieces.“I always get a couple in practice,” he added. Christopher McVey of San Diego FC is put under pressure by Juninho Vieira of Pumas during Tyesday’s Concacaf Champions Cup match between Pumas UNAM and San Diego FC at Olimpico Universitario Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico. Of course, height on its own isn’t enough. How tall is the great Lionel Messi? Five-foot-7. In cleats. Duah has rare quickness and agility. Coupled with rare height, the 20-year-old’s movements, skill and fast-rising awareness make the Ghanaian a potential star. Tverskov reads the game better than most MLS players and controls the ball through pressure, enabling much of SDFC’s possession-game dominance. Sweden native McVey, described by SDFC investor Manny Machado as “nasty,” understands angles and spacing. Proving my first impressions wrong, McVey has the skills to launch breakouts and support efforts downfield. Ingvartsen, 30, has worked back from injuries that wrecked his 2025 season. Fellow Dane Soe, pronounced SIR-uh, didn’t play against Pumas but “is a high-potential defender,” said sporting director Tyler Heaps.Reminding us that savvy and technical skill stand extra tall in soccer, SDFC’s signature goal of its first season, a header last May, began with the 5-8 ½ Dreyer leading a breakaway and serving an ideal crosser that Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, a 5-9 ½ wing, headed with world-class form. And last week in the 4-1 win, SDFC also got a header goal from 5-9 wing David Vazquez, 19. Making the most of the roster’s strengths, though, is how any team maxes out its championship pursuits. Not that Pumas acquiesced to SDFC amassing several taller players near the goalmouth. The visitors made pulldowns worthy of American football. Or rugby.Hotel del Coronado boots Sandcastle Man from his yearslong spot on the beachDriver arrested after police pursuit closes north I-15 near MiramarChula Vista police chief alleging city trying to push her outHow does $18 million become $8.8 million? Amid budget crisis, San Diego is foregoing millions in potential revenue from its golf courses, audit finds
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