Marcus Ingvartsen off to hot start in 2026 after several doubts
Credit: SDFC
One of the most insecure positions on San Diego FC heading into the 2026 season was the starting striker role.
In 2025, Marcus Ingvartsen, Milan Iloski, Tomas Angel, Corey Baird, Anders Dreyer, and even Onni Valakari played in that role.
Dreyer plays best out on the right flank, even though he is a consistent goalscorer. Valakari also thrives better in a creative midfield role rather than in a striker/false nine role.
Iloski, Baird, and Angel are no longer with the club, and the only player who thrived out of those three was Iloski. However, the Escondido, Calif native had a conflicting contract dispute with San Diego FC.
SDFC signed MLS veteran Lewis Morgan to try and fill the role, but he picked up an injury before the season started. That left the man who was signed for the role from the inception of this club, Marcus Ingvartsen.
The Danish striker had a successful European career before joining San Diego, most notably playing with German Bundesliga teams Union Berlin and Mainz 05.
However, Ingvartsen had injury troubles in 2025 and only scored two goals in 13 games. After a slow start in the CONCACAF Champions League, the heavy doubts surrounding the player grew even more.
However, a lot of that cleared up after the MLS season-opener against the Montreal Impact, where Ingvartsen scored and provided an assist. The goal was a perfectly timed finish in front of several bodies in the penalty area, fired with precision and power.
Marcus GOALLL 4⃣ pic.twitter.com/slqSbmYfdJ
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) February 22, 2026
The assist came in from Dreyer on the left flank, and the finish was the type of clinical ability that makes an impact throughout a season. The Nordic striker also showcased some flair as he landed a flashy back heel pass to Onni Valakari for his assist.
After that tremendous performance against Montreal, Ingvartsen provided an even more vital performance against St. Louis City.
SDFC defeated the Midwestern side 2-0, and Ingvartsen again provided a goal and an assist. His assist came three minutes into the match, returning the favor to Dreyer.
The play was another very visually pleasing effort by the 30-year-old forward. The veteran striker received the ball just onside from Valakari and acted quickly on the touch to flick the sphere over to Dreyer.
Anders Dreyer aka “El Paletero” scores 3 minutes into the game. pic.twitter.com/irmbModCwd
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) March 2, 2026
Dreyer returned the favor in this game as he put the ball on a platter for Ingvartsen in his goal against St. Louis. Ingvartsen’s positioning really shone in his goal and in his assist, as it was a game of inches to be in those perfect positions.
Dreyer talked about the link-up play with Ingvartsen on these goals. “I saw Marcus (Ingvartsen) get the ball, and I called for the ball, and he played it, and I just hit it, and it went in, good start. Then, of course, the second goal I heard Marcus saying play it, and I played it, and it was a very good finish from him, and two in two, and that’s nice,” said Dreyer.
Anders Dreyer on his goal contributions tonight in the 2-0 win against St. Louis City.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/jgD6W04Q1T
— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 2, 2026
Ingvartsen talked about how he is feeling after his hot start. “I think my physical feeling is getting better and better. In the preseason, I’ve been managed a little bit in the load on how we have been building it up. I got up to 80 minutes today. Feeling fresh in those 80 minutes, being able to move and play as I’m used to,” said Ingvartsen.
The Danish forward also talked about how he is feeling mentally. “I’m just trying to put last season behind me. It was tough, but also learning. We have been taken care of both as a team and personally.”
Mikey Varas and SDFC management have consistently shown that no starting role is safe. However, with this start to the season, you have to imagine Ingvartsen will continue to receive starts.
Expectations were not high for the Danish forward after his 2025 campaign, but now he is off to a very positive turnaround.
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.