San Diego FC coach makes final decision on Chucky Lozano’s future ahead of MLS playoffs

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano has just lately been sidelined by the San Diego FC squad, a choice that raised eyebrows given his standing because the crew’s star participant. With the second recreation of the Main League Soccer playoffs on the horizon, head coach Mikey Varas has made a last determination on Lozano’s position shifting ahead.

Talking to reporters on Thursday, Varas was requested about Lozano’s availability for Recreation 2 in opposition to the Portland Timbers. The American supervisor made issues clear: “Based mostly on every little thing that we’ve seen, he’ll be touring to Portland and he’ll be coming off the bench for us.”

The controversy first erupted throughout San Diego’s 4–2 win over the Houston Dynamo on October 4, when Lozano was substituted at halftime for Amahl Pellegrino. In keeping with The Athletic, the choice led to a “verbal altercation” between the Mexico worldwide and Varas.

Since that second, Lozano has been excluded from the squad checklist, not solely on MLS Choice Day in opposition to Portland but in addition for Recreation 1 of the playoffs, additionally in opposition to the Timbers. San Diego secured a 2–1 win to take the benefit, however with Recreation 2 set for Saturday, questions over the crew’s star participant started to resurface.

Following the primary match, Lozano issued an apology on Instagram, addressing his response and expressing remorse to followers and teammates. When requested what Lozano had proven in coaching since then, Varas replied: “Simply that he desires to be part of the group, it’s a very powerful factor, by means of your actions that you just need to be a part of the group.“

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To this point within the 2025 season, Lozano has registered 9 targets and eight assists in 30 appearances throughout all competitions for San Diego together with MLS and Leagues Cup. His presence within the upcoming playoff video games might show key for the enlargement membership, not solely on account of his expertise but in addition contemplating his high-profile contract, the just lately launched MLSPA Wage Information lists the Mexican star with a base wage of $6 million and assured compensation of $7,633,333.

San Diego FC already making historical past

With greater than $20 million invested in transfers, together with Lozano’s arrival from PSV Eindhoven, expectations have been sky-high for San Diego FC’s debut MLS season. Because the league’s latest franchise, the membership has already made historical past in 2025 and nonetheless has room to attain extra.

This 12 months, San Diego set information for many wins (19) and most factors (63) by an enlargement crew, ending atop the Western Convention. Using that momentum into the postseason, the membership now has an opportunity to hitch the Chicago Hearth as the one enlargement aspect to win the MLS Cup in its inaugural season, a feat achieved solely as soon as earlier than, in 1998.