Overview
- Head coach Mikey Varas excluded the Designated Player from San Diego's first MLS playoff game against the Portland Timbers, marking a second consecutive omission.
- Varas previously said the team was handling the situation internally and noted Lozano was fully integrated in training.
- Lozano posted a public apology after The Athletic reported a verbal altercation following a halftime substitution against the Houston Dynamo.
- Although not on the gameday roster, the Mexico international attended the match at Snapdragon Stadium.
- San Diego opened the best-of-three series as the Western Conference's top seed after an expansion-record 19 wins and 63 points, with Varas a Coach of the Year finalist.