After Hirving “Chucky” Lozano exited early during San Diego FC’s highly anticipated home opener due to a non-contact, lower-body injury, there was no update on his condition — until five days later.

During Thursday’s training session and media availability, the spotlight was on the injury affecting the club’s star player, Lozano. At the beginning of practice, he was absent from the field. Later, he was spotted riding a stationary bike alongside a staff member in the weight room.

“We will be managing him week-to-week,” head coach Mikey Varas said after today’s practice. “It’s a minor lower leg injury (hamstring).”

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano injury update: “We will be managing him week-to-week. It’s a minor lower leg injury (hamstring),” per San Diego FC Head Coach Mikey Varas.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/WEkdaOEsuV

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) March 6, 2025

This was a promising report from Varas, as the team avoided a serious injury.

Before exiting Saturday’s match against St. Louis City SC, Varas was impressed with Lozano’s play, adding that he was playing “high-level futbol” and believes he would’ve “for sure” scored a goal or two that game.

Who will replace Lozano in the lineup? That decision has yet to be decided.

SDFC will certainly miss Chucky’s quickness, aggressiveness, and playmaking in the attacking third. Varas emphasized that the team’s style of play will not change following this key injury — next man up mentality. “Chucky is out right now which hurts us, and hopefully he’ll be back soon,” defender Jasper Löffelsend said. “But I feel like we have a lot of talented guys stepping in and hopefully make their mark as well.” Another player who has been sidelined, Andrés Reyes (knee), has yet to make his debut. San Diego wants to remain cautious with the Colombian defender.

“We’re still working with him,” Varas said. “Andrés is not injured, per se, but we’re just preparing him to be at his best for a long season.”

As we enter the third week of the MLS season, there is no need to rush players back, as 32 regular-season matches remain. It’ll be exciting to watch Reyes join a defense that has yet to concede a goal. San Diego looks to build on their two strong performances as they travel to Utah to face Real Salt Lake this Saturday, March 8, at 6:30 PM PST.

Löffelsend played in 51 matches with RSL during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. When asked about facing his former team, he expressed that it’s always enjoyable to compete against former teammates and that he has “much love and respect” for them.

Salt Lake (1-1-0) started their season with a 4-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes but bounced back with a 2-0 victory against the Seattle Sounders.
“Salt Lake is a team who has competed very well the past two years, making the playoffs,” Varas said. He also noted that they are a “dangerous” team on counterattacks, and his team needs to be prepared for that.

A challenge on the horizon for SDFC is high altitude, which can impact player conditioning. America First Field is situated 4,450 feet above sea level. Löffelsend mentioned that they used this aspect to their advantage at RSL.

“We know if we get to the 30-minute mark, and the team is high-pressing, they’re going to hit a wall and be a little bit on the down side,” Löffelsend said. “We’ve got to be prepared for that mentally and physically. I feel like our style of play is good for that.”

Jasper Löffelsend played for Real Salt Lake and understands the challenges of competing at high altitudes. America First Field is 4,450 feet above sea level.

“We’ve got to be prepared for that mentally and physically. I feel like our style of play is good for that.” @EVT_News pic.twitter.com/BnywLo5X2p

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) March 7, 2025

San Diego leads the MLS in average ball possession and progression through two weeks. If they continue this style of play, it should benefit them against Salt Lake.

SDFC remains undefeated with two clean sheets. Anders Dreyer scored a brace in their inaugural game, leading the team to a 2-0 victory against the defending champions, LA Galaxy.

“Not being scored on is a great testament to the club, to everything we stand for, and just trying to keep it going,” Löffelsend said.

Through two games, San Diego FC has two clean sheets.

“Not being scored on is a great testament to the club, to everything we stand for, and just trying to keep it going,” defender Jasper Löffelsend said.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/aEThrRvdKL

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) March 6, 2025

The team had a historic home opener, attracting an impressive attendance of 34,506 — marking the largest crowd for a sporting event at Snapdragon Stadium. Although SDFC dominated the match against St. Louis City SC with 66% possession, 14 more shots, completing 355 more passes and having nine more corner kicks, the game ended in a scoreless draw.

“I think we have an overall very good group that has been working hard together since the preseason,” defender Franco Negri said. “Working on the best version of the team and creating the identity of the team.”

All eyes have been on San Diego with the 30th MLS season underway. Captain and midfielder Jeppe Tverskov acknowledged how special it is to be a part of the first team ever, but he believes the season starts now: “Now the season really started, and people are running — and so are we. I feel like we have doing good the first two games. I think and hope we have surprised people a little bit on how long we have come.”

Sebastian Sanchez

Sebastian Sanchez was born and raised in San Diego. He recently received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Journalism from Arizona State University. A passionate storyteller who has experience covering the Phoenix Mercury and Suns. He has also written for multiple news outlets, reporting on various sports at the college and high school levels.