Denmark and Mexico might not have a storied international history, but San Diego FC’s fairytale start to MLS existence is led by Hirving “Chucky” Lozano and Anders Dreyer.
Under the guise of former U.S. men’s national team interim head coach Mikey Varas, expectations for San Diego’s inaugural MLS campaign were muted. They had some stars, but little was proven; how would the group fare once they hit the pitch?
15 games in, we’ve got the answer. They’re pretty good.
On Saturday, San Diego knocked off their California foes, the LA Galaxy, for the second time in 2025 to sweep their season series. Lozano scored an 95th-minute winner to secure the 2–1 victory and all three points at Snapdragon Stadium.
USMNT midfielder and San Diego local, Luca de la Torre, scored San Diego’s first goal.
It was Lozano’s fourth strike of the season, and Dreyer provided the cross for his sixth assist. Combined, the two have nine goals and 10 assists, becoming one of the league’s most potent attacking duos.
“It was a great effort and I think we’re able to do what we wanted to,” Lozano told reporters after the match. “These games are different, and you just have to give them some extra. I think I did my job and helped the team.”
The effort to score the winner finished off an overall impressive afternoon for Lozano, who moments before made a long run down the near full-length of the field to tackle Gabriel Pec and hold the Galaxy forward away from a shot.
Throughout the match, he made three tackles and won 10 duels, along with his attacking contributions, which were capped off by the winning marker.
“The main thing was to help the team however I could and defend if needed, so they didn’t score on us,” Lozano added. “When I saw that play happening, it was really close to me. Pec took the ball and took off, and I was able to catch up.”
Head coach Mikey Varas added, “Chucky’s work ethic and timing in the box are exceptional. That goal reflects his character and the team’s fighting spirit. …He scored an amazing goal, but my favorite play of the game was him chasing down Pec to make a sliding tackle.”
