Match Preview presented by Ticketmaster: San Diego FC Opens 2026 Leagues Cup Campaign Against Club América at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City

San Diego FC kicks off its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign tonight as the Club travels to Mexico City to face Liga MX side Club América at Estadio Banorte. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT, with live coverage available on Apple TV.

Leagues Cup Begins

SDFC enters Thursday’s match following a 1-1 draw against Minnesota United at Allianz Field on Saturday, bringing the Club’s 2026 MLS Regular Season record to 5-7-6 with 21 points. 

Thursday marks SDFC’s second consecutive Leagues Cup campaign and the Club’s first match of the 2026 tournament. The competition features clubs from Major League Soccer and LIGA MX competing across the region.

Opposition Watch

Club América enters Thursday’s matchup after earning a 3-0 victory over Santos Laguna on Sunday night in its third match of the Liga MX Torneo Apertura.

The result moved Club América to 2-0-1 on the season and into first place in the Liga MX standings entering Thursday’s Leagues Cup opener.

A Divided Soccer City

Ahead of Thursday’s matchup, SDFC has released the latest episode of its “House Divided” content series, exploring the intersection of hometown MLS fandom and generations of Liga MX loyalty in San Diego. 

“House Divided: Jovana & Edgar” follows San Diego couple Jovana Ortiz and Edgar Torres, who have been together for 18 years and are both inaugural SDFC Season Ticket Members. Edgar, a lifelong Club América supporter and creator of the soccer platform 1Futbolazo, finds himself on the opposite side of Thursday’s. matchup from Jovana, who supports SDFC. 

Filmed at The Mixer ahead of América vs. SDFC, the episode features the couple making a high-stakes bet: whoever supports the losing team will get a permanent tattoo of the winning club’s two-letter abbreviation – “CA” or “SD.” 

Click here to watch the full video. 

Looking Ahead 

Following Thursday’s match, SDFC returns to San Diego for back-to-back Leagues Cup matches at Snapdragon Stadium. 

SDFC will host Club Tijuana on Sunday, Aug. 9, before welcoming Club Puebla to Snapdragon Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Tickets for both Leagues Cup matches are available at SanDiegoFC.com/Tickets.