In a dazzling display of skill and teamwork, San Diego FC (SDFC) triumphed over the Seattle Sounders with a commanding 3-0 victory at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Star forward Chucky Lozano, making his much-anticipated return from injury, played a pivotal role in the match, scoring his first-ever MLS goal and contributing two assists, solidifying his status as a key player for the expansion team.
The action kicked off just 80 seconds into the game when San Diego native Luca de la Torre quickly took a corner kick, catching the Sounders off guard. De la Torre's quick thinking set up Lozano, who skillfully maneuvered the ball to captain Jeppe Tverskov. Tverskov's left-footed shot from the box found the back of the net, marking the fastest goal in SDFC history.
Lozano, who had missed four matches due to a hamstring injury sustained in early March, showcased his determination and talent throughout the game. After a brief substitute appearance in SDFC's previous match against LAFC, where they won 3-2, Lozano returned to the starting lineup against Seattle, and his impact was immediately felt.
In the 41st minute, Lozano struck again, this time assisting Aníbal Godoy. After receiving a precise pass from Anders Dreyer, he deftly set up Godoy for a left-footed finish that doubled SDFC's lead to 2-0. The home crowd was electric, and the momentum was firmly in San Diego's favor as they headed into halftime.
As the match approached stoppage time, Lozano capped off his stellar performance with a goal of his own. After narrowly missing an earlier opportunity, he capitalized on a breakaway, receiving a perfectly timed pass from Jasper Löffelsend. With only Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei to beat, Lozano slotted the ball home, sending the sellout crowd of 28,228 into a frenzy.
"I'm very happy," Lozano said postgame on MLS Season Pass. "I went down with an injury, and that hurt me a lot. But you have to come back. Thank God they gave me the chance to start, and the goal came. I owe it to my teammates." His performance earned him the 'Man of the Match' title, a fitting accolade for a player who has quickly become a fan favorite since signing as SDFC's first Designated Player.
Despite the loss, Seattle maintained 57.2% possession and attempted 14 shots, but could not break through SDFC's robust defense. Goalkeeper CJ dos Santos was instrumental in the shutout, stopping all four shots on goal, including a crucial point-blank save against Danny Musovski in the 87th minute.
Seattle's head coach, Brian Schmetzer, expressed disappointment in his team's performance, acknowledging the need for improvement. "This has to be rock bottom, so far this year," said winger Paul Rothrock. "Things have got to change. The mindset has to be better." The Sounders now sit in 12th place in the Western Conference, struggling to find their footing after a series of tough matches.
As SDFC celebrates this significant victory, they find themselves in an impressive second place in the Western Conference standings with a record of 4 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws, totaling 14 points. Their early-season success is notable, especially considering they have already defeated formidable opponents like LA Galaxy and LAFC.
Looking ahead, SDFC is set to face the Colorado Rapids next week, aiming for their first three-game winning streak in franchise history. Lozano's return and performance have injected new life into the team, and fans are eager to see what the future holds for this promising expansion club.
In the aftermath of the match, Schmetzer reflected on the loss, stating, "Transition defending is a lot about effort. You can’t give goals away like that. This league is too good, expansion team or not." The Sounders will need to regroup as they prepare for their next challenge against FC Dallas on April 12, 2025.
As for San Diego FC, the excitement is palpable. With a strong start to their inaugural season and a roster filled with talent, they are poised to make a serious impact in Major League Soccer. The combination of Lozano and Dreyer has proven to be lethal, and fans are hopeful that this partnership will continue to flourish as the season progresses.
