After a successful first season, San Diego FC is ready for its second MLS season without surprising anyone.
San Diego FC will start defending its Western Conference regular-season title by hosting CF Montreal on Saturday night.
Anders Dreyer, a midfielder named to the MLS Best XI, will lead San Diego after finishing as an MVP finalist last season with 19 goals and 19 assists.
Last season, San Diego FC (19-9-6, 63 points) set a record for the most wins by an expansion team and made it to the Western Conference finals, where they lost to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
“In our second year, we need to stay focused. Other teams know what we can do and how we play,” Dreyer shared with the press.
Recently, San Diego FC decided to move on from Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who had nine goals and ten assists last season. The decision followed some late-season issues, including a halftime confrontation in the locker room. The team now needs to find a buyer for Lozano, who has a contract through 2028.
Joining San Diego is midfielder Bryce Duke, who scored three goals in 50 matches for CF Montreal in the last two seasons.
Montreal (6-18-10, 28 points) had a tough season last year and missed the playoffs for the third time in five years.
Forward Prince Owusu scored a personal best of 13 goals in his first season and has signed a contract that extends through the 2027-28 season, with options for the following two seasons.
“The players who are still here want to avoid a repeat of last year,” Owusu said, expressing hope for the future. “We’ve learned from our past. The first step is connecting with the new players and building a winning mindset.”
Among the new faces are veteran forward Daniel Rios (from Whitecaps), midfielder Wiki Carmona (New York Red Bulls), and defender Brayan Vera (Real Salt Lake).
Montreal will be aiming their shots at 19-year-old Duran Ferree, a local talent making his first MLS start for San Diego.
CJ dos Santos has not yet recovered from an injury sustained in a postseason clash against the Portland Timbers on Nov. 1, which left him with a fractured cheekbone and orbital bone. Additionally, backup goalie Pablo Sisniega is serving a red-card suspension from a playoff match against Vancouver on Nov. 29.
“He has a calm presence for big moments,” said San Diego coach Mikey Varas about Ferree. “You can see he stays composed under pressure. He’s excited to show what he can do for his hometown.”