San Diego FC sporting director Tyler Heaps receives contract extension

Tyler Heaps built a roster that made Major League Soccer history in its first season, an effort that landed him a contract extension Tuesday.

Heaps’ new deal will keep him in the role of sporting director through the first half of 2029.

“I’m thankful, I’m grateful,” Heaps told reporters Tuesday. “We have fantastic owners. We have a fantastic facility. It’s an unbelievable city and community so I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Heaps pieced together a group that set MLS expansion records for wins and points during the 2025 regular season, before advancing to the Western Conference final.

He brought in Anders Dreyer as a designated player, and saw the Danish winger total 19 goals and 19 assists – finishing second to Lionel Messi in the MVP race.

San Diego FC is off to a promising start in 2026. They defeated Pumas in the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup, thanks to a 4-1 victory at Snapdragon Stadium. On Saturday they beat Montreal 5-0 in their MLS season opener.

The news comes with one major piece of business still unresolved. In January Heaps and head coach Mikey Varas announced the decision to move forward without Mexican star Chucky Lozano. Heaps told reporters Tuesday that there is no update on a transaction. Lozano remains with the club, but is not on the active roster.

The uncertainty surrounding SDFC’s $7.6 million dollar designated player did not interfere with ownership’s desire to cement Heaps’ future in San Diego.

“It is a tremendous vote of confidence from leadership and from ownership that we’re doing things in the right way and I think that’s what’s really important for us,” Heaps said. “I’m just really thankful for the trust in me and also the trust in this whole project and what we’re building.”