San Diego FC look to keep hot start against St. Louis
Credit: MLS
San Diego FC will play its second game of the 2026 MLS regular season this Sunday, March 1, against St. Louis City at Snapdragon Stadium.
SDFC began the season with a massive 5-0 victory against the Montreal Impact and will look to keep that run of form going.
Duran Ferree came away with the shutout in net in that match as Pablo Sisniega was serving a suspension. Sisniega has been very consistent in between the sticks to start the year in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and will likely return after serving his suspension.
However, it is unclear if Mikey Varas will decide to switch things up as he has over the past year. The rest of the starting 11 should not be much of a surprise to face a St. Louis side that is coming off a 1-1 draw against Charlotte.
San Diego FC’s Duran Ferree made his first MLS start this past weekend, recording two saves and earning a clean sheet.
Pablo Sisniega shared his thoughts on the 19-year-old’s performance. @EVT_News pic.twitter.com/rA5xpwl3Wk
— Sebastian Sanchez (@Sanchez_Reports) February 27, 2026
St. Louis controlled possession in the first half of that match and then was dominated by Charlotte in the second half. SDFC is expected to control possession heavily at home throughout the entirety of this encounter.
San Diego controlled 70 percent possession against Montreal and is expected to be about the same mark for this second home game.
Mikey Varas’ team tied 0-0 against St. Louis last year at Snapdragon Stadium, then went on to defeat the Midwest side 2-1 on the road. Milan Iloski and Anders Dreyer scored the goals that led to that victory at Energizer Park.
Iloski is no longer with this team, while Dreyer contributed with two assists in the 5-0 win against Montreal. As expected, the Danish forward is an essential component of this attack and will continue to be very important moving forward.
Marcus Ingvartsen and Amahl Pellegrino also scored in that opening game as the full starting frontline contributed to the massive home win.
Four minutes into Bryan Zamblé’s MLS debut, the Right to Dream graduate scored.
“The moment was incredible because our main mission is to win together, play our football, and to develop individuals.”
Listen to Mikey Varas in-depth response to my question about the 18-year-old. pic.twitter.com/utJ84Tfccm
— Sebastian Sanchez (@Sanchez_Reports) February 27, 2026
Another highlight from that game was seeing Right to Dream Academy product Bryan Zamble debut and score. SDFC’s objective has always been very clear: to bring up these younger players to become members of the first team.
San Diego FC is the heavy favorite in this match as the team has already managed to score nine goals in just two home games this season. St. Louis will play a rigid game in the backline and will try to frustrate San Diego with a low defensive block.
However, SDFC has the better squad and management, as this should be another three points for the Azul and Chrome side.
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.