Overview
- Varas said Lozano will travel to Portland and “will be coming off the bench,” confirming his first availability since the internal discipline.
- Lozano missed Decision Day and San Diego’s 2-1 Game 1 win after an incident the club has not detailed, which The Athletic reported was a verbal altercation following an Oct. 4 halftime substitution.
- After posting a public apology, Lozano returned to training, and Varas said he has shown through his actions that he wants to be part of the group.
- San Diego, the West’s top seed in its expansion season, leads the best-of-three series 1-0 entering Saturday’s Game 2 at Providence Park.
- The club’s first designated player is among MLS’s highest earners and has produced nine goals and 10 assists in 27 appearances this season, underscoring his potential impact off the bench.