Chucky Lozano’s MLS playoff status unclear after altercation; more of what I’m hearing – The Athletic
The availability of San Diego FC star winger Chucky Lozano for the club’s playoff run is uncertain due to an internal situation, sources briefed on the incident told The Athletic.
Lozano was absent from the club’s matchday squad in its Decision Day win against Portland on Saturday. That absence was due to a verbal altercation that took place in the locker room earlier this month, sources said.
Lozano was subbed off at halftime during San Diego’s game against Houston on October 4. He was extremely unhappy about it, and that’s when the verbal altercation took place. One source said Lozano needs to prove how committed he is to the locker room in order to be available to play in the playoffs. San Diego’s first Round One match is Sunday against either Portland or Real Salt Lake, who play their wild card game Wednesday night.
“We had a situation we’re dealing with internally,” head coach Mikey Varas said after the club’s win on Saturday when asked about Lozano.
Lozano, 30, was San Diego’s marquee signing ahead of its inaugural 2025 season. He has been limited to 22 starts due to injury, but he has been productive while on the field with nine goals and 10 assists.
Lozano was signed for a transfer fee in the region of $12 million and has the fifth-highest salary in MLS ($7.63M per season, per the MLS Players Association).
San Diego set a new MLS record for an expansion team with 63 points, topping the Western Conference in the regular season. The club also set a new league record for away wins with 12.
Elsewhere in San Diego and around MLS…
San Diego in talks over permanent de la Torre deal
San Diego is in talks with U.S. national team midfielder Luca de la Torre about a permanent deal, sources briefed on negotiations told The Athletic.
De la Torre is on loan from Celta Vigo until the winter and San Diego is ready to trigger the purchase option, but is working with de la Torre’s representation about a contract, sources said. Those talks remain ongoing with no breakthrough yet.
San Diego wants to keep de la Torre, but the financial hit needs to make sense within the club’s cap structure. De la Torre’s cap hit this season was $1.54M, per the MLSPA, and that was San Diego covering his current contract with Celta. That deal expires next summer, and San Diego would like to lower that hit, sources briefed on negotiations said.
There is still interest in Europe for de la Torre, which means there’s no foregone conclusion he stays, sources added.
San Diego FC is hoping to retain midfielder Luca de la Torre (Francisco Vega / Getty Images)
The 27-year-old U.S. international is an important player for San Diego. He has made 30 regular season appearances and typifies the team’s possession-based style.
Elsewhere in San Diego, something that wasn’t in doubt in any way: The club will pick up the trade option to keep U.S. youth international fullback Luca Bombino, sources said. That option is an initial $200,000 GAM, sources add. LAFC will retain a sell-on clause.
Bombino is on loan from LAFC, and the only reason the option wasn’t already picked up was to not start the clock on performance-based add-ons. The 19-year-old has been a revelation for San Diego in his 24 starts, and he also represented the U.S. at the U-20 World Cup.
As previously reported, San Diego rejected a bid from West Brom for Bombino this summer. The left back’s future will be in Europe for the right project and price.
New England coaching search update
Josh Wolff is among candidates interviewed for the New England Revolution’s head coaching vacancy, sources briefed on the situation told The Athletic.
Wolff is currently an assistant with the Houston Dynamo and previously was head coach of Austin FC until last year. Houston granted New England permission to speak with Wolff.
Sources described New England’s coaching search at a middle stage, with candidates coming in-market for interviews but no final shortlist set yet.
New England had initial, informal conversations with Jim Curtin, but the former Philadelphia head coach pulled out of the running last month.
Houston Dynamo assistant coach Josh Wolff is a candidate for the New England job (Scott Wachter / Imagn Images)
The Revs fired Caleb Porter after two seasons in charge this fall, having missed the playoffs in both seasons.
New England’s roster is led by former MLS MVP Carles Gil, and it’s backed by an ownership group that has invested in the first team in recent years, making it an attractive job around the league.
Tommy Quinlan previously reported that Wolff interviewed for the job.
St. Clair, Minnesota remain in contract talks
Minnesota United and star goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair remain in amicable contract negotiations, but while no agreement is imminent, there is optimism a long-term deal will be reached, sources said.
St. Clair is eligible for free agency this winter. He expects to be one of the highest paid goalkeepers in the league and is among the favorites to win MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
There are clubs in Europe (England, Belgium and France) showing interest in potentially signing the 28-year-old Canada international (18 caps) in January when his contract expires as well.
St. Clair has spent his entire professional career with Minnesota, outside of a couple loans for game time elsewhere. He won the starting job in 2020 and has 155 appearances.
Nashville makes offer for defender
Nashville SC has made an offer to sign Ghanaian defender Maxwell Woledzi from Fredrikstad, sources told The Athletic.
Woledzi, 24, has made 84 appearances with Fredrikstad after joining from Nordsjaelland in 2023. He won the Norwegian cup with the club in 2024.
Nashville has had an excellent 2025 season, winning the U.S. Open Cup and heading into a Round One playoff series against Inter Miami beginning Friday night.
