Snapdragon Stadium- San Diego, California

San Diego FC scored three first-half goals, securing back-to-back home wins by defeating struggling Seattle Sounders FC, 3-0.

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano made an immediate impact upon returning to the San Diego (4-1-2) starting lineup, scoring his first goal and providing an assist in the second minute. Seattle (1-3-3) had no answers for SDFC’s attack.

“It was a happy moment for me,” Lozano said when asked about his first goal. “Unfortunately, I got hurt in the second match. I was able to start today, and I felt great. I was able to score my first goal and help my team.”

After securing their first home win by defeating their rivals, Los Angeles FC, 3-2, San Diego aimed to replicate that success in front of their fans. The new club has surprised many with its performance and currently ranks as a top team in the Western Conference.

Seattle has struggled to begin the season. Entering matchday seven, they only have one win against LAFC, 5-3. Aside from that victory, the Sounders have struggled offensively, scoring just eight goals. They have been involved in several tightly contested matches but have not won in their last four games.

They have a strong history of success in the league, with two MLS Cup titles, four U.S. Open Cups, a Supporters’ Shield, and a CONCACAF Champions League title won recently in 2022.

Chucky returned to the starting lineup after playing 18 minutes as a substitute last week, providing a welcome boost to a frontline with several injuries. Colombian defender Andres Reyes, who has yet to debut for the club, is available on the bench for the first time.

San Diego was without four players on Saturday. Defender Luca Bombino and forwards Marcus Ingvartsen and Emmanuel Boateng were out with lower-body injuries. New acquisition Milan Iloski from FC Nordsjaelland arrived at the club on Wednesday but is not yet ready to play.

Aside from Lozano, Mikey Varas made a few changes to the starting XI. He experimented with younger outside-backs, but it appears he was pleased with the performances of Franco Negri and Jasper Löffelsend.

Seattle is still playing without their leading goal scorer, forward Jordan Morris, who is sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Morris has participated in only three games this season. Their major offseason acquisition, midfielder Paul Arriola, suffered a torn ACL in March.

Albert Rusnák is currently leading the Sounders’ attack, having scored two goals and taken 24 shots in six games. Right winger Jesus Ferreira, another offseason addition from FC Dallas, is still looking for his first goal, although he has provided two assists. Overall, Seattle has room for improvement.

The Chrome and Azul wasted no time putting the ball inside the net. Luca de la Torre quickly passed it to Lozano on a corner kick, where he dribbled into the box. Chucky completed a pass-through traffic to captain Jeppe Tverskov. He corralled it, shot left-footed, and scored in the bottom right corner two minutes into the match.

“I’m not usually one of the guys getting up in the box from my position,” Tverskov said. “It’s kind of nice the one time I’ve been there the whole season, I score a goal. So, it’s perfect.”

The goal was scored in front of the San Diego supporter section, where they unleashed the blue smoke early in this contest. Lozano’s impact was felt immediately.

What a run and dime from Chucky Lozano.

And Jeppe Tverskov scores his first goal for @sandiegofc. pic.twitter.com/2aZO7KXePS

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 6, 2025

It was evident early on that Seattle had no answers for San Diego’s attack. Eight minutes into the match, Luca de la Torre’s shot from outside the box went to the left of the goalpost. Onni Valakari was nearby but was too late to redirect the ball.

Valakari, who has scored two goals this season, attempted a shot of his own, but it glided just over the top left post.

After a takeaway from San Diego, Lozano took two dribbles and spotted a wide-open Anders Dreyer on the right wing. Dreyer waited for his teammates to join him in the attacking third, and Anibal Godoy received the pass and immediately shot to the bottom right corner, giving Stefan Frei no chance to react.

40 minutes into the match, the home team led by two goals.

Five minutes later, Chucky missed a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper. He attempted to lift the ball over Frei but applied too much power. He was frustrated with himself for missing what could have been his first goal with the club.

“We were creating a lot of opportunities on goal, and the first chance I had went over the goal,” Lozano said. “That’s just how soccer is, and you’ve got to keep trying until you get that one.”

Shortly after, Dreyer had a chance to score himself. The team’s leading goal-scorer took a strong shot, but Seattle’s goalkeeper was well-positioned to stop the ball.

San Diego executed one last fast break in the final minute before halftime. After two long passes, Lozano got behind the defense and received the ball in front of the box. The first designated player in SDFC history scored his first goal in the MLS.

Chucky shot the ball with his right foot and deflected off Frei’s hand and into the net. Chants of “El Chucky Lozano” erupted at Snapdragon Stadium. Löffelsend assisted with the score.

Chucky Lozano scores his first MLS goal

The @sandiegofc star has a goal and 2 assists at the half. pic.twitter.com/oMc7jMv63z

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 6, 2025

The second half saw zero goals, like last week. San Diego appeared to take the foot off the pedal, and Seattle still couldn’t create chances—it was a very dull half. Seattle’s best chance was a dangerous free kick, but the ball deflected off an SDFC player and rolled out of play.

Surprisingly, Seattle led the game in possession with 57.2% and had more shot attempts than San Diego (14-10). They also had the same number of shots on goal, but SDFC goalkeeper CJ dos Santos had four saves. This is the third clean sheet of the season for dos Santos.

All three goal-scorers netted their first with the club tonight. San Diego has three goals in the first half in back-to-back weeks. They play with an exciting playstyle for their home crowd, and it’s leading to wins. The atmosphere was lively, as always. Attendance tonight was 28,228.

“I’m inspired by these guys every day,” Varas said postgame. “The fact of the matter is we are not even as close to as good as we could be because I don’t think we have put together more than 50-55 minutes of our complete highest level.”

Next Saturday, San Diego will be on the road against the Colorado Rapids (3-2-2) on April 12 at 6:30 p.m. PST.

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.