San Diego FC – Pumas UNAM

For those of us who followed MLS closely last year, this is more than just a tournament match. It's a first indication of where the league stands before a new season. A temperature reading. A test against Liga MX – which historically has had a slight edge in this tournament.

San Diego FC is still a young project, but they immediately took off in their debut season in MLS with 60 points and the playoffs. That says something about the level of ambition. Still: new season, new conditions. And this is the first part of a two-game match – which always affects the pace and willingness to take risks.

We enter this with both expectation – and a certain humility.

San Diego - offensive identity

San Diego quickly established itself as a team that plays forward. They move the ball quickly, attack with width and put people in the box. Anders Dreyer quickly became a key piece offensively and delivered points in a continuous stream in his debut season.

At home at Snapdragon Stadium, they have shown that they don't play to control 0–0. They seek breakthroughs, and they take risks. That can give a high tempo – but it can also give room behind.

The question now is where the rhythm is so early in the season. We know what they are capable of – but not quite how stable they are right now.

Pumas – experience and structure

Pumas come in with more continuity. Liga MX teams are used to these matches and they know how to handle two-leg duels. They don't need to chase everything in the first leg, but they will also know that away goals - or a good result - could be decisive before the return leg in Mexico.

The Pumas aren't a defensively locked-in team, but they have more structure in their regular game than many MLS teams. They're comfortable letting the game live a bit - and striking when the spaces open up.

Against a forward-leaning San Diego team, this could quickly become a game that changes momentum.

The match picture – between pace and control

This is perhaps the most interesting part.

MLS teams against Liga MX teams often produce goals, especially when the home team wants to make a mark. At the same time, this is the first leg of a doubleheader. Neither team needs to overreact from the start.

This can mean periods of high intensity, but also phases of more control.

San Diego has shown that they can contribute to open games. The Pumas have the quality to punish mistakes. Both have offensive tools – and both have had periods back that have not been flawless.

It's hard to imagine either team going through 90 minutes without creating.

Conclusion

Let's be honest: we don't really know where the teams stand right now. It's early days, and this is a tournament that often takes on a life of its own.

Still, the nature of the match – MLS vs. Liga MX, home field, offensive identity and quality going forward – points in the direction that we can get goals.

We're not going all in.
But we're going offensive.

Bet suggestions

Concacaf Cup At 05:00 San Diego FC - Pumas UNAM: Over 2.5 goals (1.75)

Alternative game

Concacaf Cup At 05:00 San Diego FC – Pumas UNAM: Over 2.5 goals +BTS (2.20)

San Diego FC – Pumas UNAM