When CJ dos Santos was acquired by San Diego FC from Inter Miami, it was not even clear that he would be the starting goalkeeper.

By the start of the preseason, SDFC had other goalkeepers on the squad, such as Pablo Sisniega and Jacob Jackson, who were also expected to compete for playing time.

However, manager Mikey Varas always gave dos Santos that confidence, and he progressed through the weeks. When SDFC played its first-ever game against LA Galaxy, there were still heavy doubts about the goalkeeper position.

The goalie had only played two MLS games with Inter Miami and was a relatively inexperienced goalkeeper at 24 years old. The Philadelphia native has overcome the early criticism and speculation and has really solidified his starting role for San Diego.

CJ dos Santos with the penalty save to maintain the @sandiegofc clean sheet! 😤 pic.twitter.com/BnjmSrJJ5x

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 15, 2025

The SDFC goalkeeper’s best performance so far came in the 2-0 victory against the Colorado Rapids at home. The young shot-stopper saved a penalty taken by Colorado’s Dorde Mihailovic and had five total saves to keep the clean sheet at Snapdragon Stadium.

The only other match in which the American keeper recorded more saves was the 3-0 loss to Charlotte, when he had seven.

SDFC defender Christopher McVey talked about his goalkeeper in the post-game press conference after the game against Colorado. “CJ has been great. Obviously, we want to have clean sheets. I thought we deserved it against St. Louis, but they got a late one in there. CJ stepped up big on the pk”, said McVey.

Mikey Varas also discussed dos Santos’ massive performance after the 2-0 win against the Rapids. Vara said, “CJ was a fireman again today, and he’s showing that he has a really high level.”

The former Benfica youth product kept a clean sheet in San Diego’s last match against Kansas City. dos Santos was not tested heavily in that match, but that clean sheet gave him his sixth of the year. The Philadelphia native is currently tied for the second-most clean sheets in Major League Soccer,

While Varas may have some doubts about the fullbacks and the attack, it is clear that dos Santos is the undeniable starting man in the net. SDFC will have another huge game this Saturday, May 24, as the Azul and Chrome host rivals LA Galaxy at Snapdragon Stadium.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.