San Diego FC’s push to make more soccer history has met a sudden and decisive end.
Toluca FC scored three times in the second half to defeat visiting SDFC 4-0 on Wednesday night at Estadio Nemesio Diez. Toluca and SDFC split the two-match series, but the Mexican club advances through the Concacaf Champions Cup’s round of 16 by virtue of scoring more goals (6) over the two-leg series than San Diego (3).
SDFC won the opener 3-2 at Snapdragon Stadium last week, but could not overcome Tolouca’s flurry of goals on Wednesday.
Jesus Ricardo Angulo scored just before halftime, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead, then tacked on a goal in the 59th minute to make it 3-0. Paulinho scored early in the second half to make it a two-goal edge, and Jesus Gallardo scored an injury-time goal to bury SDFC.
San Diego managed just three shots on goal compared to Toluca’s 27. The hosts had 14 shots on target, while SDFC had just one. San Diego’s Chris McVey was assessed a red card in the final minute of regulation, forcing the visitors to play 10-on-11 as they tried to rally back.
Jesus Angulo of Toluca celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s third goal during the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Deportivo Toluca and San Diego FC at Nemesio Diez Stadium on March 18, 2026 in Toluca, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
SDFC was hoping to continue a run of good form that began in its first season in Major League Soccer. The club set MLS records for wins and points by an expansion team in 2025, and started hot in 2026, winning its first two regular-season matches. The azul and chrome got the attention of Liga MX after advancing past Mexico City’s Pumas UNAM in the two-leg first round.
Now it’s back to MLS play. SDFC (2-1-1) will host Real Salt Lake at 4 p.m. Sunday from Snapdragon Stadium.