San Diego FC hires ex-USMNT interim boss Mikey Varas as club's first-ever head coach ahead of 2025 MLS debut

San Diego FC announced on Monday that Varas has been appointed the club's first head coach. San Diego is the latest expansion team set to join MLS and will begin play in 2025.

Varas joins San Diego after most recently serving as interim coach of the U.S. men's national team during September friendlies. The U.S. fell to Canada, 2-1, in Varas' first match in charge before drawing New Zealand in their second match under the interim boss.

In addition to his time with the USMNT, Varas also served as U.S. U-20 men's national team head coach, helping the U.S. qualify for the Olympics by winning the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

In addition, Varas has also served as a USMNT scout at the 2022 World Cup while also spending three years as an assistant coach at FC Dallas.

“I am honored to join San Diego FC as the Club’s first Head Coach,” said Varas. “The opportunity to build something special from the ground up, with such ambitious and committed ownership, and in a city with such a passionate fan base, is truly exciting. I look forward to working with the team and the community to develop a winning culture from the start. I will give everything to this club and the people of San Diego.”

“Mikey embodies the values and ambitions of San Diego FC,” added the club's Sporting Director Tyler Heaps. “His ideas on the game and how it should be played align with ours and his commitment and energy throughout the process is one that we feel connects with this community and our vision for the Club. We have big aspirations for SDFC, and we believe Mikey has the right drive, passion, and leadership to help us build a winning culture. I’m looking forward to welcoming him to San Diego and continuing to build out the staff that will support and help us accomplish our goals.”

With the hiring of Varas, the club continues to come together. As things stand, San Diego has signed six players, headlined by Mexican star Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano.

In addition, San Diego has signed American-born English youth international Alex Mighten, Danish stars Jeppe Tverskov and Marcus Ingvartsen, Northern Ireland veteran Paddy McNair and American goalkeeper Duran Ferree.

With Varas and sporting director Heaps in place, the club will now look to fill out its roster leading up to the 2025 debut.