It’s been a busy, drama-filled week for San Diego FC.

The club agreed to terms with Danish star Anders Dreyer on a contract extension. San Diego also re-signed veteran midfielder Emmanuel Boateng. Head coach Mikey Varas received a multi-year extension on Monday following the team’s exceptional first season.

While the club has attempted to distract the fan base with these announcements, the cloud that has followed SDFC has been the situation surrounding Hirving “Chucky” Lozano ahead of the 2026 MLS season.

Last Friday (Jan. 9), San Diego FC Sporting Director Tyler Heaps told the media that Lozano was no longer in the team’s sporting plans at any capacity. Shortly thereafter, Varas emphasized that the team performed “very well” without Chucky in 2025.

Soccer insider Fabrizio Romano reported this week that Lozano does not want to transfer in this window and wishes to remain in San Diego.

Chucky, the first designated player in the club’s history, was a fan favorite. This decision did not sit well with the supporters. Many questioned the timing of the breakup and its potential impact on the field, while some credited management for ripping off the band-aid after what transpired late in the season.

While there has been no official announcement of a transfer, loan, or buyout, Chuckymania’s time in the 619 is expiring and will soon be woven into the club’s history. By being open and very transparent with this decision, did San Diego FC lose leverage in future negotiations?

The coach has been adamant that Lozano is not in the team’s plans and won’t play for them. Since day one, Varas has been straightforward with the media—not many coaches take this approach.

Although Lozano is not currently in the team’s plan, he is still working individually at the facility. At the beginning of training camp, he posted multiple selfies of himself at the Sharp HealthCare Performance Center to his Instagram story. Most recently, he uploaded a video of himself driving, which appears to be past La Jolla Village Drive, and smiling to the camera.

However, he was not spotted on Thursday, Jan. 15, during the media availability. If he continues to stay with the club in the foreseeable future, could he become a distraction?

“There is no distractions,” Varas said yesterday regarding the Mexican winger. “The guys have taken this on with a full commitment to our decision, and nobody has even looked sideways one time.”

“There is no distractions,” San Diego FC coach Mikey Varas said about the Hirving “Chucky” Lozano situation. “The guys have taken this on with a full commitment to our decision, and nobody has even looked sideways one time.”@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/hnY0y4RvZ0

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) January 16, 2026

If the offense lacks creativity and struggles to put the ball inside the net when the season begins, one can expect the fans at Snapdragon Stadium to start chanting “El Chucky Lozano” if he’s still on the roster.

Jeppe Tverskov, All-Star midfielder and team captain, believes his teammates are “well-suited” to block out any noise or distractions the team faces.

East Village Times asked Dreyer how the team can move forward without Lozano and replace his production, and he said, “Me and Chucky had a good partnership on the pitch. Of course, his goal contributions last year, we’re going to miss that this year.”

He went on to say that’s part of the business of the sport, and the players can only focus on themselves and get ready for the season.

The 2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year is under contract through the 2028-29 season with Club options through the 2029-30 season. “El Paletero” recorded 45 goal contributions (23 goals, 22 assists) across all competitions last season. Dreyer was in consideration for the league MVP.

“After the season ended, we started to talk about (a potential deal), and I was very happy that the club wanted to extend my contract and give me a new deal,” Dreyer said. He also mentioned that he enjoys the good weather and the way the team plays.

Dreyer was recently awarded the 2025 Star of the Year from the San Diego Sports Association. He said he didn’t expect to win the award, and it “means a lot” to be the recipient.

Meanwhile, SDFC retained a highly respected player in their locker room, Ema Boateng. He was voted the “Great Teammate Award” last season by his peers.

“It’s very exciting,” Boateng said about his newly inked deal. “I think everybody that has already been in this environment wants to stay here.”

The Ghana Right to Dream Academy graduate appeared in 13 matches, registering just 230 minutes last season—25 players had more minutes. At the exit interviews, Boateng mentioned that he wanted to have a bigger role. He acknowledged yesterday that he could’ve got more playing time elsewhere, but embraces the challenge and competition with this squad.

New San Diego FC forward Lewis Morgan spoke to the media for the first time. Morgan, 29, was acquired last month via a trade with the New York Red Bulls. In four seasons, he appeared in 82 matches, scoring 31 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.

The Scottish forward will provide versatility in the attack. Morgan, the 2024 MLS Comeback Player of the Year, is coming off an injury-riddled season. Varas said the plan is to “rein him in” and take the necessary time to avoid any “long-term risk.”

Forward Lewis Morgan, defenders Kieran Sargeant, and Wilson Eisner are new additions to San Diego FC. I asked coach Mikey Varas his thoughts on the newcomers:@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/SF6c6W0w8W

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) January 15, 2026

The coach described him as a hard-working, dynamic, and creative player. When Morgan was asked about his first impressions of San Diego, he said the culture is “very well established,” and it doesn’t feel like a new club.

San Diego FC added two young defenders to the mix this offseason, Kieran Sargeant and Wilson Eisner. Sargeant was acquired from the Houston Dynamo, and Eisner was picked up off waivers. Varas said Sargeant has a good physical profile, and Eisner has adapted well to the team’s principles.

When discussing the new players, Varas mentioned Bryan Zamble from the Right to Dream International Academy as a recent signing. Although the club has not yet made it official, the coach described Zamble as a top winger with good acceleration, and he’s “excited to see how he grows in our environment.”

Defender Andrés Reyes is not in the equation until after the World Cup break due to an injury, according to the coach. On the bright side, forward Marcus Ingvartsen and defender Willy Kumado have been training and recovering well.

The goalkeeper position is a “full competition” given the circumstances. CJ dos Santos is recovering from an injury, Pablo Sisniega won’t be available in the first league game due to his red card in the final match, and the 19-year-old Duran Ferree is in the mix.

San Diego FC goalkeepers workin’ 🧤@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/ReAxTjHVzU

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) January 15, 2026

With training camp underway and preseason games looming, East Village Times asked Varas about the team’s main focus. He said he wants to get back to the level they reached at the end of last season as soon as possible. They are also working on tactics against man-marking and low-blocking opponents, as well as building the team chemistry ahead of the long season.

San Diego FC will host Pumas in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Feb. 3.

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.