Duran Ferree made his first MLS start for his hometown team – and in front of his hometown fans. He even finished with a clean sheet.
It’s a story that might have sounded a bit on-the-nose to the best Hollywood screenwriters, but it happened to San Diego native Ferree when he took the field for San Diego FC last Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium.
The 19-year-old Del Norte High School graduate and standout goalkeeper made his presence known early by blocking a shot inside the box in the fourth minute from forward Dagur Dan Thórhallsson.
Duran Ferree in his first MLS start during San Diego FC’s 5-0 season-opening win on Saturday Feb. 21, 2025. (Photo courtesy of San Diego FC)Facing four shots – only two were on target – he was a big part of the team’s 5-0 dismantling of CF Montréal. And he appeared to manage the backline with the same confidence as a 10-year veteran.
“It was very special and a full circle moment for me,” Ferree said. “I started my career in San Diego three years ago with San Diego Loyal. Being able to make steps throughout my career and make my official start in MLS is really special.”
He got the chance to start due to injuries. CJ dos Santos is still recovering from the fractured cheekbone he suffered in SDFC’s playoff game versus Portland on Nov. 1, 2025. Pablo Sisniega was unavailable due to a suspension resulting from a red card he received in last season’s Western Conference final. Ferree entered in the 80th minute and kept the short-handed SDFC within range of Vancouver for the remainder of the match.
“We always talk about having a big squad mentality and trusting the next guy up,” said his head coach Mikey Varas. “That’s what we did with Duran, I think he played a phenomenal game being so brave on the ball. I was really proud of him.”
Ferree signed his first professional contract with the USL Championship club San Diego Loyal, now defunct, in September 2022, becoming the first player from the Loyal Select program to do so. He made his debut at Torero Stadium a month later in a 3-3 draw against New Mexico United.
He made history on April 23, 2023 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies as the youngest goalkeeper ever to record a shutout in USL Championship play. When the Loyal shut down, he was the first player signed by San Diego FC in December 2023.
“I am super grateful for Loyal,” Ferree added. “They gave me faith that I had the ability to be at the highest level. They put faith in my ability and my future, so I’m very appreciative of what they’ve done for me and I always remember that step in my career.”
Sisniega is expected to start Sunday when SDFC welcomes St. Louis City SC, but fans can hope for more glimpses of Ferree as the season continues.
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