Pre-Season Key Positional Battles

During last Thursday's press conference, Head Coach Mikey Varas answered a question posed by SDFC Nation's Dmitry Anisimov on what positional battles have already stood out to him. Even though the team has only been back together practicing for two weeks, there are multiple players vying for a single spot in different areas of the field. These are the positions we're watching closely prior to start of the season.

Goalkeeper

Last season, San Diego FC put their faith, and their money into extending goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos. Unfortunately, during a playoff game against the Portland Timbers on November 1st, Dos Santos came off injured after a nasty collision with a Timbers player in the box.

Pablo Sisniega, the backup goalkeeper on the depth chart, came on and gave strong performances when it counted most. Sisniega isn't a stranger to seizing the opportunity. He started four matches in a row during the regular season, notching his first clean sheet in his debut.

Varas alluded to the GK spot being up for grabs to the players who give the highest performance in pre-season. "The goalkeeper position is full competition right now. It has to be," said Varas.

The key factors to watch will be how Dos Santos continues to recover from his injury as he faces game-speed action in the pre-season matches. Meanwhile, Sisniega’s red card in last year’s playoff match carries over, forcing him to sit out the opening game of the MLS season.

Strikers

With the signing of Lewis Morgan, the imminent departure of Chucky Lozano, and Marcus Ingvartsen coming back healthy – the two spots up front (next to Anders Dreyer) are up for grabs. Varas did mention that integrating Ingvartsen into the starting lineup will take additional time. "We have to take it step-by-step because he was out for a long time."

The mid-season signing of Amahl Pellegrino was a head-scratcher for most. Partly, because not many saw the qualities a veteran forward would bring to the team since his stint with San Jose wasn't a very successful one. Pellegrino proved us wrong. He quickly adjusted to San Diego's style of play and produced eight goals while notching four assists.

Varas also dropped some news about an incoming transfer that SDFC is signing. Bryan Zamble, a youngster from the Right to Dream academy. "We're signing him from our IA (International Academy), he's a top winger, really good acceleration and we're also excited to see how he grows in our environment."

One more player we're watching this pre-season is Alex Mighten. The speedster will try to make a case for a starting role after a mixed 2025. While Mighten is quick, strong on the ball, and a hard worker – he failed to produce enough goal contributions. Now with Chucky not in the plans for 2026, the door is open for Mighten to make a strong impression on the coaching staff.

The starting lineup up top is most likely looking like Pellegrino on the left, Morgan as the nine in the center, and Dreyer on the right. One thing is certain; those spots are not cemented and will be competitive all season long.