San Diego FC, coach Mikey Varas agree to multi-year contract extension

Mikey Varas became one of the faces and voices of San Diego FC as he navigated the club to a historic inaugural season in Major League Soccer.

Now, it appears Varas will be around for years to come. SDFC and the 43-year-old coach have agreed to a multi-year contract extension. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we have started developing together in our first season and grateful to the Club for the trust and belief they’ve shown in me,” Varas said. “San Diego FC represents something special – from our players and staff to our ownership and supporters. This extension is about continuing to raise standards, compete at the highest level, and build something sustainable that our city and region can be proud of. I will continue to give everything I have for the players, the staff, the fans, and this city.”

San Diego FC hired Varas, a longtime MLS assistant and onetime acting head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team, in September 2024. Instituting a high-pressure playing style, Varas led SDFC to a 19-9-6 record, a first-place finish in the MLS Western Conference standings and a berth in the Western Conference finals. Varas was named a finalist for MLS Coach of the Year, an award that ultimately went to the Philadelphia Union’s Bradley Carnell.

He also navigated SDFC through multiple controversies. Varas spoke out (in English and Spanish) against a homophobic chant used by SDFC’s fans in the club’s home opener and in the following weeks.

And Varas kept his team winning despite a clash with Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who was benched following a halftime outburst near the end of the regular season. The club announced last week that it will be moving on from Lozano, though he will continue to report to SDFC’s Singing Hills headquarters until he is loaned out or traded.

“From Day 1, Mikey set the standard for who we want to be as a club,” said SDFC sporting director Tyler Heaps. “His leadership, tactical clarity and alignment, and commitment to player development were instrumental in delivering a historic inaugural season. Beyond the results, Mikey has helped build a strong culture and identity that reflects San Diego FC’s values, and we’re excited to continue this journey with him leading the team.”

SDFC returns to the field Feb. 3 for a Concacaf Champions Cup match against Mexico’s Pumas UNAM. SDFC opens MLS play on Feb. 21 against C.F. Montreal.

Wave sign goalie, trade defender

The San Diego Wave added a goalkeeper and traded away a defender on Monday as its 2026 roster continued to take shape.

Leah Freeman joins San Diego’s roster after spending her rookie year with Bay FC. She played collegiately at Oregon (2020-22) and Duke (203-24), where she was named Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year and ACC Goalkeeper of the Year, respectively.

Freeman will try to replace Kailen Sheridan, an original member of the Wave franchise. The club and Sheridan announced last month that they were parting ways.

Additionally, the club sent Quincy McMahon to Racing Louisville in exchange for $50,000 in general allocation money in addition to international roster slots for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

The Wave signed McMahon a year ago out of UCLA; she appeared in eight matches as a rookie.