San Diego FC’s dream season continued Sunday night with a 2-1 victory against the Portland Timbers in Game 1 of their best-of-three first-round Major League Soccer playoff series on a festive, star-studded night at sold-out Snapdragon Stadium.
Just without the face of the franchise.
Mexican star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano didn’t start or play – or suit up, for that matter – in the latest indication that the rift with coach Mikey Varas has not fully mended. But not having Lozano flying down the left wing does not equate to unproductive or losing soccer for SDFC, at least not lately.
Since Lozano was subbed at halftime of the penultimate regular-season game, SDFC has three convincing wins and outscored opponents by a combined 10-2. Sunday night’s win, while not nearly as convincing as the 4-0 drubbing at Portland eight days earlier, was its first in three months on a field where it has surprisingly struggled.
SDFC, the top seed in the Western Conference, went up 2-0 on goals by Onni Valakari and Anders Dreyer in the opening half hour as Alex Morgan, minority owner Manny Machado and Padres teammate Jackson Merrill cheered from luxury boxes (Merrill chugged his drink when shown on the video board).
Portland’s Kristoffer Velde pulled a goal back in the 36th minute, and the Timbers probably should have equalized – and gone ahead – with a pair of golden chances moments apart in the second half. The first came when Antony was one-on-one with SDFC goalkeeper CJ dos Santos and pushed his shot wide left, the second when David Da Costa sent a free header from close range over the crossbar.
The game turned in the 66th minute, when Portland left back Jimer Fory was issued his second yellow card for an off-ball incident and ejected, leaving the Timbers 10 against 11 for the remainder of the night. SDFC controlled possession against a short-handed opponent that had a midweek play-in game and then traveled, salting the clock away for the first playoff win in club history.
Game 2 is Saturday night at Portland’s Providence Park. Game 3, if necessary, is back here on Nov. 9. Ties are decided immediately by a penalty shootout. The winner advances to the Western Conference semifinals – a one-game affair hosted by the better seed – against either Minnesota or Seattle, which open their first-round series Monday night.
Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres presents the San Diego FC Flow Ball before San Diego FC played the Portland Timbers in match one of the Western Conference Round One of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs at Snapdragon Stadium on Oct. 26, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
That Varas opted to start left wing Amahl Pellegrino, who had three goals and three assists in his previous three halves, over Lozano certainly made sense in terms of continuity. Not including someone of Lozano’s quality and experience among the nine allotted bench players for a game of such import, though, suggests deeper issues with Major League Soccer’s fifth-highest paid player this season at $7.63 million
Lozano did not make the trip to Portland for the regular-season finale last weekend after what Varas described as “a situation in Houston.” Lozano was subbed at halftime of the Oct. 4 game at the Houston Dynamo, the height of indignity for a player of his stature, and threw a locker room tantrum, according to multiple sources not authorized to speak on the record.
On Friday, Varas declined to confirm whether Lozano would play in Game 1 but hinted that a resolution was nearing.
“Hirving is fully integrated in the team and the training,” Varas said. “He’s laughing, he’s working hard. He’s 100% committed to making his way back into the group, and we’re 100% committed to supporting him into his way back into the group. We’ll just take it day by day and make that decision when it needs to be made. … He’s one of our guys.”
Onni Valakari #8 of San Diego FC celebrates after scoring against James Pantemis #41 of the Portland Timbers in match one of the Western Conference Round One of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs at Snapdragon Stadium on Oct. 26, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Veteran midfielder Anibal Godoy added: “I think Chucky is doing really well in the training. He is really professional. He is really important for the team, a big part of the team. And he’s ready to play Sunday.”
During that training session, Lozano’s Instagram account posted an apologetic message in English, a language he rarely speaks, without a Spanish translation.
“I’m a passionate and competitive person who always wants to give everything for the team,” the post said. “Sometimes, that same intensity can lead to reactions that don’t reflect who I am or the respect I have for everyone around me.
“I didn’t react in the right way, and I’ve already taken responsibility, addressed it and moved forward.”
The club apparently has not.
Originally Published: October 26, 2025 at 8:49 PM PDT