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San Diego FC has added some much-needed experience to its defense, announcing Wednesday that the club has acquired Sam Vines on loan from the Houston Dynamo through the end of the 2026 season.
The deal also includes an option that would keep Vines in San Diego through December 2027. In exchange, SDFC is sending Houston its natural third-round selection in the 2028 MLS SuperDraft.
Vines Brings MLS and European Experience
Vines, 27, spent the 2026 season with the Dynamo, making three appearances before making the move to San Diego.
The Colorado Springs native began his development with the Colorado Rapids and Charlotte Independence before signing as an MLS Homegrown player with Colorado ahead of the 2018 season. He made his professional debut later that year, coming off the bench against the San Jose Earthquakes on Oct. 21.
Vines spent four seasons with the Rapids during his first stint with the club, making 55 appearances and recording one goal and three assists before earning a move to Europe.
In August 2021, Vines joined Belgian side Royal Antwerp on a permanent transfer. Over the next three seasons, he made 58 appearances across all competitions, including 45 starts.
His time in Belgium also brought plenty of silverware. Vines helped Antwerp win the Belgian league title during the 2022-23 season, followed by the Belgian Cup in 2023 and the Belgian Super Cup in 2023-24.
Vines returned to Colorado ahead of the 2024 MLS season and added another 61 appearances across all competitions over the next two seasons, contributing one goal and three assists.
He then joined Houston ahead of the 2026 campaign.
International Experience
Vines has also represented the United States at both the youth and senior levels.
The defender has earned nine senior caps for the USMNT and was part of the American squad that won the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. He previously represented the U.S. from the U-15 level through the U-23s.
This addition gives Mikey Varas another experienced defensive depth piece heading into the final stretch of the season.
Vines has played at both the MLS and European levels and brings more than 100 professional appearances to a San Diego team looking to make a late push up the Western Conference table.
The move also gives SDFC another player with experience in high-pressure environments, something that could prove valuable as the club enters the final portion of the 2026 campaign.
