San Diego FC was the primary MLS crew to play official video games in 2026, defeating Pumas over two legs. In Europe, there was excellent news and unhealthy information to report on gamers and coaches. Additionally, the U.S. U-17 crew certified for the World Cup
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
February 12, 2026
7:05 AM
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There’s a lot to speak about this week so let’s get proper into it
San Diego advances previous Pumas
Final week, San Diego FC loved a fast 4 aim spurt over 17 minutes to show a 1-0 deficit right into a 4-1 win. However that was at house and going to Mexico was all the time going to be tough.
On Tuesday evening, San Diego FC misplaced to Pumas 1-0 in Mexico Metropolis however prevailed 4-2 on combination. It was a greater than acceptable end result given the circumstances. The primary leg was performed with almost three weeks to go till the opening evening in MLS. In the meantime, Liga MX was virtually a month into the season, with Pumas off to a robust begin.
Given preseason type of San Diego and Pumas already off to a robust begin, it appeared like a troublesome project for San Diego FC. Even a 4-1 edge heading into the second leg wasn’t a simple activity.
Pumas ???? San Diego FC
???? Match Highlights pic.twitter.com/2S5toobJPv
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 11, 2026
However San Diego acquired the job completed with some good performances. Within the second leg it was Mexican-born goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega who stood out with a number of huge saves. Within the first leg, it was the crew’s younger gamers who carried the day with targets from Luca Bombino, Alex Mighten, David Vazquez, and Manu Duah.
Bombino was among the best gamers over each legs and the left again ought to be one of many high younger Individuals in MLS this season. A member of the 2025 U.S. U-20 World Cup crew, Bombino is eligible to play for the U.S. Olympic crew in 2028.
Mikey Varas was one of many high coaches in MLS final yr for guiding San Diego FC to the highest seed within the Western Convention playoffs. Now he’s seeking to make a run on this continental match. Subsequent up, San Diego will face Toluca of Mexico with the primary leg going down on March 11 in California. The return leg on March 18 will likely be an enormous problem for San Diego in Mexico with the sport being performed at 8,750 ft above sea stage Estadio Nemesio Díez.
Total, an excellent begin for MLS within the match that sometimes revolves across the MLS vs. Liga MX rivalry.
Tyler Adams returns
Tyler Adams made his return to the matchday squad for Bournemouth on Tuesday in a 2-1 win over Everton. The 2022 U.S. World Cup captain injured his MCL on December 15 and was capable of return to the squad inside two months, which beat the preliminary estimates.
Adams didn’t get off the bench nevertheless it was a welcome signal for each Bournemouth and USMNT followers to see him again to the purpose of being obtainable for choice. This will increase the probabilities that Adams will likely be with the USMNT for the March worldwide window.
Ends in Europe
In Serie B, Venezia dropped a 2-0 loss at house to Modena. Venezia was coming off an enormous win over second place Frosinone on Saturday to maneuver 4 factors clear atop the desk. Gianluca Busio went 90 minutes within the loss, which was a noticeable letdown on the heels of such a giant win.
Jonathan Klinsmann and Cesena fell eighth place in Serie B after a 3-1 loss to Virtus Entela on Tuesday.
Leeds United drew Chelsea 2-2 on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge in one other productive level that ought to assist them survive the season within the Premier League. Brenden Aaronson began and whereas he didn’t issue into both aim, he was a menace for Chelsea each in how he pressed and the way he made runs to stretch Chelsea’s protection. Aaronson was later subbed out in stoppage time.
Staying in London, it was a really disappointing end result for Crystal Palace in a 3-2 loss at house to a Burnley crew within the relegation zone. Chris Richards performed all 90 minutes for Palace, which remained in thirteenth place with the defeat.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner was trustworthy concerning the crew’s protection, which included Richards.
“We didn’t defend well,” Glasner informed the TNT broadcast crew. “It’s just not acceptable how we defended as a team – just jogging around, not in the duels, not in the second balls.”
It will likely be fascinating to see how Richards responds.
Antonee Robinson remained on the bench for Fulham in its 3-0 loss to Manchester Metropolis. His season and his previous yr with accidents have been robust perceive. When he got here again from harm in December, he was rushed again into it – taking part in 613 minutes in 26 days. After that, his performances began to undergo. Are his minutes being managed now? Is he nonetheless combating the accidents?
Auston Trusty and Celtic once more wanted a stoppage time winner, this time to defeat last-place Livingston 2-1 on Wednesday. Celtic sits third and is one level behind second-place Rangers and 6 factors behind leaders Hearts. Celtic has performed one fewer recreation than each groups.
Matarazzo’s exceptional begin continues
Actual Sociedad defeated Athletic Membership 1-0 away from house on Wednesday within the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal. American supervisor Pellegrino Matarazzo is now undefeated in his 9 video games since taking cost. He has six wins and three attracts.
What a exceptional job Matarazzo continues to do for Actual Sociedad. – Hasn’t misplaced but, in 9 games- wins over Barcelona, Athletic Membership, Elche, Deportivo Alaves, Celta Vigo, Getafe https://t.co/qGpaHAbsg0
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 12, 2026
Proper now, the Actual Sociedad fanbase is thrilled with their new supervisor, and for good purpose. A spot within the Copa del Rey is now inside attain. Plus, the crew has moved away from the relegation zone and is now in eighth place.
Subsequent up will likely be a giant one as Actual Sociedad travels to face Actual Madrid.
U.S. U-17 crew qualifies for World Cup
The U.S. U-17 crew certified for the 2026 U-17 World Cup due to a 1-1 draw with the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. Each groups got here into this decisive recreation with lopsided aim differentials (U.S. crew was at +18 whereas the Dominican Republic was at +15). However the Dominican Republic wanted to win whereas the U.S. would qualify with a draw.
The Philadelphia Union’s Malik Jakupovic scored the lone aim for the U.S. crew whereas Atlanta United goalkeeper James Donaldson made 5 saves.
Malik Jakupovic flying along with his EIGHTH aim of qualifiers ????????
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) February 10, 2026
The U.S. crew needed to play with 10-men for the final 12 minutes after AC Milan academy product Astin Mbaye picked up his second yellow card
Total, it was mission achieved for head coach Alex Aldaz, however the final recreation was a lot tougher than it ought to have been.
