Soccer <\/p>\n
As San Diego FC<\/a> prepare for their second MLS season, their first-ever Designated Player is on his way out.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Mexican international forward Hirving “Chucky” Lozano<\/a> is not in the club’s plans for the 2026 campaign, according to sporting director and general manager Tyler Heaps.<\/p>\n “We have communicated to Hirving and his representatives that he will not be part of the sporting plans moving forward,” Heaps said Friday as San Diego begin training camp.<\/p>\n “That was not a decision that was taken lightly. It was talked through from owners down to leadership, down to myself and [head coach] Mikey [Varas], and has been communicated to the rest of the group.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n BREAKING NEWS:<\/p>\n Sporting Director Tyler Heaps told us this morning that Hirving \u201cChucky\u201d Lozano is not in the sporting plans moving forward with the team.<\/p>\n The Mexican national is currently being shipped around, no loan spell or sale being confirmed at the moment. pic.twitter.com\/63EDaPtzZb<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 SanDiego.Futbol (@SanDiego_Futbol) January 9, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Lozano joined San Diego<\/a> in June 2024, signing a pre-contract from Eredivisie powerhouse PSV Eindhoven for a reported $12 million.<\/p>\n He was San Diego’s second-leading scorer, tallying 11g\/11a in 34 games across all competitions. That helped the newcomers set records for points (63) and wins (19) during their historic expansion season.<\/p>\n However, Lozano was suspended for San Diego’s final regular-season match and Audi MLS Cup Playoffs debut (both against the Portland Timbers<\/a>) for team disciplinary reasons. He scored during his return, a Game 2 trip to Portland in the clubs’ Round One Best-of-3 Series, as well as in SDFC’s Western Conference Final defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe really appreciate Hirving\u2019s contributions and what he was able to contribute last year,” Heaps said, “but as the season went on, from style of play, as well as environment, we feel like it\u2019s best for both parties to find a new solution.\u201d<\/p>\n The 30-year-old winger and 2025 MLS All-Star was among the highest-paid players in MLS last year, per Players Association information<\/a>, at over $7.6 million in guaranteed compensation.<\/p>\n “We all respect him for the player that he is,” Varas said. “Ultimately, it\u2019s just not the right fit, and when it\u2019s not the right fit, it\u2019s no one’s fault.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s making sure that we set him up as best as possible to help him arrive at the [2026 FIFA] World Cup because we do want what\u2019s best for him. Most importantly, this is what we think is best for the team, in the short-term and long-term.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas on the breaking news that Mexican international Hirving \u201cChucky\u201d Lozano is OUT. pic.twitter.com\/TunriF4F8V<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SanDiego.Futbol (@SanDiego_Futbol) January 9, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Should Lozano formally depart, San Diego would have DP roster flexibility and Anders Dreyer<\/a> would further shift into the spotlight.<\/p>\n The Danish international was named the 2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year<\/a> and finished second in the Landon Donovan MLS MVP voting to Inter Miami CF<\/a> superstar Lionel Messi<\/a>, after producing 38 goal contributions (19g\/19a) in the regular season.<\/p>\n San Diego play the first competitive matches of the 2026 MLS calendar year, hosting Pumas UNAM on Feb. 3 for Leg 1 of their Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> Round One series before visiting the LIGA MX side on Feb. 10 for Leg 2.\u00a0<\/p>\n The club’s MLS campaign starts on Feb. 21 against CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> (10:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a>).<\/p>\n \u201cNo one\u2019s bigger than the club, no one\u2019s bigger than the city. That includes me,” Varas said.<\/p>\n “What I can say is what I\u2019ve always said: We\u2019re here to win. But how we win and who we win with matters. We made a decision across the entire club, from leadership all the way up to ownership. Everybody\u2019s on the same page. This is the best decision for us in the short term and long term.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Mexican star<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Second season<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n