Sebastian Conlon is a 23-year-old goalkeeper currently playing for Ventura County FC in MLS Next Pro, the 3rd tier in the United States football system. In the 2026 MLS Super Draft, he was selected 63rd overall by the LA Galaxy, and at the collegiate level, he played for the University of Kentucky and James Madison University. In the 2026 MLS Next Pro season, he has made 20 appearances, conceding 26 goals and recording six clean sheets.

Standing at 6’3″ with a physically mature build, he absorbs contact well and maintains balance under pressure. His power is there on rehearsed movements and standard diving saves. He covers the goal through positioning and timing rather than through raw first-step power. He handles most cutbacks and low balls across goal and gets where he needs to be without looking uncoordinated or stiff. He has a decent jumping ability without being dominant in the air, and can jump well enough to punch or deflect high balls, but claims from a crowded box are less consistent. His upper body strength is decent when dealing with crosses and holds his own when the contact is glancing. He holds his shape well if he has time to organize his feet and lands safely after most dives and claims.

Out of possession, he starts in a well-judged position and adjusts early as the ball moves. He makes difficult saves look easy because of his positioning. He handles firmly struck shots well by catching the ball when he can and parries with purpose when he can’t. His close-range reactions are sharp with exceptional speed of reaction to close-range efforts. In 1v1 situations, he reads the attacker’s cues well, shrinks the angle, and forces the attacker into a forced or narrow finish. His decision-making in crosses is mixed. He comes out for most balls as he should but is less certain when dealing with whipped balls. He tends to be caught in no man’s land when dealing with balls in behind. Defenders turn and chase instead of playing off his voice.

In possession, Conlon is comfortable receiving with either foot. Centre-backs can play him without it becoming a panic moment, and he stays composed under pressure. He can be used as an extra player in build-up and plays short to draw the press, then goes long when space opens up. His pass selection is intelligent. He plays the free man rather than the first man he sees and can find midfielders between the lines. When taking goal kicks, he can go short with control or hit a long, accurate ball into a target or channel and consistently finds wide players with driven or lofted kicks. When throwing the ball, Conlon has the range and accuracy to find a runner or switch the point of attack. He stays calm under pressure. He draws the press, then plays, rather than just playing a long ball and teammates play into him because they trust he will keep possession and not turn over the ball.

Conlon has proven to be a goalkeeper who is comfortable playing with his feet and has range in his side volleys and goal kicks to hit a target or channel. In 1v1 situations, he reads attackers’ cues well, stays big, narrows the angle and the attacker into a difficult finish rather than diving early or sitting to deep. With further improvement in better decision-making when dealing with crosses and being more consistent in not getting caught in no man’s land when dealing with balls in behind, he can become a starter for a top team in a top 9-15 league. He would fit best in a team that plays a low block system or a possession-oriented team. His current level is starting for a mid-table team in a top 16-20 league, with potential to play for a top team in a top 9-15 league.