The announcement made by San Diego FC at the start of the 2026 preseason was blunt and surprising: Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is no longer part of the club’s sporting plans. The news came straight from sporting director and general manager Tyler Heaps on the very first day of training camp, and it landed hard because it involves the first Designated Player in franchise history, a World Cup player and one of the most recognizable faces from San Diego’s short time in MLS.
What happened and what was said
Lozano joined San Diego in June 2024 after signing a pre-contract with PSV Eindhoven for around $12 million. On the field, he delivered solid numbers. He finished with 11 goals and 11 assists in 34 matches, production that helped the club set records for points and wins in its inaugural MLS season. Even so, Heaps explained that the decision was far from simple and involved the entire club structure, from ownership to the coaching staff. “We communicated to Hirving and his representatives that he will not be part of the sporting plans moving forward,” he said.
The sensitive moment in Lozano’s stint came at the end of the season, when he was suspended for disciplinary reasons and missed the final regular-season match and the playoff opener against the Portland Timbers. He scored again in Game 2 of the series and also found the net in the loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Western Conference final, but the situation had already been defined. Heaps summed it up by saying that, as the season progressed, the club felt that, considering playing style and environment, the best option was to look for a new solution.
Sporting impact and what changes in San Diego
Mikey Varas was as clear as he was cautious when addressing the issue. “At the end of the day, it’s just not the ideal fit, and when it’s not the ideal fit, it’s nobody’s fault,” the head coach said, stressing that the decision also takes into account what’s best for the player, especially with the 2026 World Cup in mind.
There is also the financial factor. Lozano ranked among the highest-paid players in the league, with more than $7.6 million in guaranteed compensation, a figure that weighs on any long-term planning. With the Mexican forward’s departure, San Diego gains flexibility in its Designated Player slot and naturally increases the prominence of Anders Dreyer, the 2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year and runner-up in the MVP race, finishing behind only Lionel Messi.
The club opens its 2026 calendar with important matches as early as February, facing Pumas UNAM in the Concacaf Champions Cup and then kicking off the MLS season against CF Montréal. Lozano’s exit doesn’t erase what was accomplished, but it clearly marks a choice by San Diego FC about who it wants to be and how it plans to compete.