San Diego FC’s 2026 season is off to an excellent start; they’ve advanced to the Round of 16 in the Concacaf Champions Cup following their 4-2 aggregate win over Pumas UNAM, and shutout CF Montréal 5-0 to begin the MLS season.

While it may be difficult to replicate its inaugural campaign, they are certainly trending in the right direction. San Diego FC will look to continue that momentum into Sunday Night, when they host St. Louis City SC at Snapdragon Stadium.

During Friday’s media availability, head coach Mikey Varas said the team has yet to determine who will be in goal this weekend.

They have three quality options to select from: Pablo Sisniega, CJ dos Santos, and Duran Ferree. Sisniega received a contract extension from the club yesterday. His new deal keeps him in San Diego through the 2027 MLS season with an option for 2027-28.

“It’s been a great experience for me in San Diego,” Sisniega told the media. “It’s been amazing for me and my family. We’re very happy to be here. I’m just very excited that the club put their trust in me to continue this partnership.”

Sisniega served as dos Santos’ backup last season, who started 30 games in 2025. The 30-year-old Mexico native started three playoff games (Portland Timbers, Minnesota United FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC) after dos Santos exited with a cheekbone injury—he has not returned to action since.

Tyler Heaps, SDFC’s Sporting Director and General Manager, said in a statement that Sisniega proved “he can perform in big moments,” and has been a key player for the club on and off the field.

Sisniega continued his strong outings against the Pumas and had a nine-save performance in their second meeting to help SDFC advance. He was unavailable due to receiving a red card in the Western Conference final.

With dos Santos still recovering from his injury and Sisniega suspended, that paved the way for the 19-year-old Del Norte High School graduate, Ferree. The former San Diego Loyal SC goalkeeper recorded two saves and earned a clean sheet in his first MLS start.

“Duran played a great game, he really stepped up,” Sisniega said of Ferree’s performance. “It was not an easy game. He did really well in possessions. I’m very happy for him, and he’s developed really well.”

The veteran said he and the two other goalkeepers have a “healthy competition,” and are always pushing each other to improve. We’ll see who Varas selects on Sunday.

San Diego FC has three quality goalkeepers on its roster — a strength of theirs:

⚽️ Pablo Sisniega
⚽️ CJ dos Santos
⚽️ Duran Ferree

Assuming all of them are healthy, who’s your preferred choice in goal? @EVT_News pic.twitter.com/jhXIw7a4k4

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) February 27, 2026

Through three contests, San Diego FC has nine different goal scorers—and surprisingly, none of them have been from star Anders Dreyer. He’s made an impact distributing the ball with three assists.

Among those goal scorers was the club’s newest addition, Right to Dream graduate Bryan Zamblé. Four minutes after being subbed onto the pitch, the 18-year-old winger scored his first professional goal.

East Village Times asked Varas about Zamblé’s goal against Montréal, and he said, “The moment was incredible because our main mission is to win together, play our football, and to develop individuals.”

A special moment indeed. The club’s vision is beginning to materialize as academy players continue to develop and be ready when their number is called.

The SDFC coach admitted that the first couple of weeks of preseason were “very difficult” for the Ivory Coast native, mentioning the speed of play, the different country, and adapting to his new teammates.

“It’s important that we continue to take it step by step with him,” Varas said. “He’s a very young player, and he has a lot of things he’s going to continue to learn. The best version of Bryan is still far, far away, and I’m excited to see him get there.”

San Diego has shown a willingness to play its young players and give them valuable minutes. Varas said players who show talent, character, and motivation will get that opportunity to showcase those talents — “nothing in this club will ever be given to anybody.”

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 (@Ssanchez_16) February 27, 2026

Sebastian Sanchez

Sebastian Sanchez was born and raised in San Diego. He recently received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Journalism from Arizona State University. A passionate storyteller who has experience covering the Phoenix Mercury and Suns. He has also written for multiple news outlets, reporting on various sports at the college and high school levels.