SDFC Beat LA Galaxy 3-1 Despite Red Card in Chucky Lozano's Return

A familiar face ran out onto the grass at Snapdragon on Saturday night for pregame warmups. Fans haven't seen him out on that field since November 2025.

Chucky Lozano made his return to San Diego – this time, donning the white and gold of a nemesis team who resides two hours North on the I-5.

The big pre-game story may have been the return of Lozano but the headlines were stolen by Friday's news of San Diego FC's defender Luca Bombino being potentially sold to English Championship side Stoke City FC for around $5 million. Bombino was not available Saturday night, with reports suggesting he was already in England undergoing final physicals before the deal became official.

SDFC head coach Mikey Varas decided to go with the same front three as last week. Gabriel Pirani made his consecutive start in the midfield and Kieran Sargeant took over Bombino's duties in the left back.

Saturday's match was an important one for both teams as they are battling to get above the playoff line. The Galaxy put out their strongest starting XI.

Head coach Greg Vanney chose to start Lozano. Marco Reus led the Galaxy midfield, and Maya Yoshida took on the captain's duties.

First Half

San Diego started the match playing beautiful pass-and-go soccer that led to three shot attempts at goal in the first six minutes. One of those, almost went in. Anders Dreyer broke free on the right side of the box and sent in a beautiful low cross to the back post, where Elias Achouri got a foot on it but the ball went just wide of the post.

San Diego’s constant pressure proved too much for the Galaxy, as the hosts opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Onni Valakari’s cross found Anders Dreyer near the touchline behind the goal, and the Danish winger immediately sent the ball back into the box with a first-time pass. Achouri was there to meet it, turning Dreyer’s delivery into the back of the net to give the Tunisian international his second goal in as many matches.

Lozano couldn't get anything going int he first 45 minutes. With the Snapdragon Stadium crowd booing him every time he touched the ball, the ex-SDFC winger grew visibly frustrated, shoving players and arguing with the referee every chance he got.

San Diego FC pressed on, controlling possession and outshooting the Galaxy 14-4 in the first 45 minutes. They continued to create chances by playing with a more offensive style, pushing players forward and playing through quick, and fluid passing.

Second Half

The second half started with a bang, as Kieran Sargent made his presence felt just three minutes after the break. In the 48th minute, Anders Dreyer sent a long cross into the box, and Sargent got a foot on it to redirect the ball into the back of the net. The Bombino replacement made an immediate impact, giving San Diego FC a two-goal advantage and putting the Galaxy under even more pressure.

Things got ugly for SDFC in the 50th minute when captain Jeppe Tverskov was shown a second yellow card and sent off.

Tverskov had already been booked earlier in the match for a challenge on Chucky Lozano, and once again, the Galaxy forward was at the center of the incident that led to his dismissal. San Diego was forced to play the remainder of the match with 10 men once again.

The drama continued in the 55th minute as the inevitable finally happened – Lozano scored against his former team. Chucky positioned himself well inside the danger area and the ball bounced its way into his feet. Lozano took a quick turn-around shot that went into the back of the net.

His celebration in front of the Galaxy traveling crowd was minimal, putting to rest arguments on whether he would celebrate if she scored or not.

Lozano was close to putting another dagger into the hearts of SDFC fans when he won a challenge on the sideline and quickly played a direct pass into the feet of Kyogo Furuhashi, who finished the chance. After lengthy protests from the SDFC bench and players, referee Tori Penso went to the monitor to review the play for a possible foul. Following the VAR review, Penso determined that a foul had occurred in the buildup, and the goal was ultimately disallowed.

Dreyer continued delivering. He collected a loose ball near his own penalty box and dribbled all the way into the opposing danger area, slid a low cross to the other side of the box where Pellegrino pounced on a slightly deflected ball and made the score 3-1. A shorthanded goal that sent the Frontera into a frenzy.

SDFC finished the game out with a performance that is to be admired. Even with ten players, the home squad was able to secure the crucial three points. A 3-1 home victory kept SDFC undefeated in all three matches against the Galaxy.

It would be premature to say SDFC has completely replaced Bombino. But if Saturday night was any indication, the club may have found its next young player ready to step into the spotlight.

Lozano came back to San Diego looking to spoil the party.

Instead, SDFC reminded the Galaxy who owns Snapdragon Stadium.