Asked by Bolavip what facing Lozano would’ve meant for him—as “Tonio” Rodriguez and “Chucky” have been teammates before—the Xolos’ netminder sent his fellow countryman a special message. Moreover, he spoke about what a pity it was that Mora and Lozano couldn’t have starred in a Mexican present-vs.-future showdown.

“With [Lozano], I had the opportunity to play alongside him with the national team, so I know him well. He is a tremendous player, with great talent and quality. Of course, for the fans, it would have been a dream to see,” Rodriguez said in response to Bolavip during a press conference on Saturday.

“(…) a player who gave so many people hope, go up against this new star who is emerging in [Mora]. It would have been a match between the past and the present, or the present and the future. But, well, it didn’t happen that way.”

Rodriguez speaks on Lozano’s fresh start

Though watching from the other side of the border, Rodriguez shared San Diego FC’s Mikey Varas and Alejandro Alvarado’s happiness about Lozano getting to play “somewhere he can be himself.” The 34-year-old goalkeeper sent his former teammate a sincere message of joy.

“At the end of the day, I’m happy that ‘Chucky’ has an opportunity to play and that a place has been found for him. Because at the end of the day, the most important thing for soccer players is to be on the field,” Rodriguez stated.

“I’m happy that his situation has been resolved, and I wish him the greatest success because I know he will do very well. It would have been nice to have that matchup. The fans would have loved it, but it didn’t happen.”

Rodriguez dreams of national team call-up

During the press conference, Rodriguez was asked whether he still aimed to be called up to Mexico’s national team, even at 34, and the veteran netminder made his stance clear. As long as he is playing professional soccer, representing his home country will always be the goal. Certainly, it’s something for national team head coach Rafa Marquez to keep an eye on.

“[Lozano] was always a good teammate. Obviously, we are happy for him that he found somewhere he could keep playing,” Alejandro Alvarado said in response to Bolavip during Saturday’s press conference. “We are excited for him, we send him our well wishes, and we’re happy that he found somewhere he can play and just be himself.”

After appearing in more than 30 games for San Diego FC in 2025, scoring 11 goals and adding another eight assists, Lozano lost ground on the roster and hasn’t played at all during the 2026 season. Not in MLS nor the Leagues Cup. Clearly, his days in “America’s Finest City” were numbered. After much speculation, he was sent to the LA Galaxy on loan.

Mikey Varas opens up on Lozano’s loan

Because he was rarely used by Varas and his staff, Lozano’s exit from San Diego may have little impact on the squad, and Varas made that clear. When asked by Bolavip about Lozano’s loan deal, Varas sent a clear message.

“I’m happy that there’s a solution for the club and for [Lozano]. I’ve always said that he could continue his career,” Varas told Bolavip during Saturday’s Leagues Cup pre-match press conference.

“And his departure doesn’t affect the group at all because we’ve done all of this season according to our plan, and we’re ready. The most important thing now is to focus on this game, go out there and win in front of our fans.”

Potential Lozano-San Diego reunion

As Lozano vies to make the most of his new opportunity in Los Angeles, he already knows when he could meet with his former head coach, teammates, and club during the 2026 MLS campaign.

San Diego FC will host the LA Galaxy on Aug. 29. It remains to be seen whether Lozano will earn a starting role in the City of Angels, but it’s clear he will have his potential return to Snapdragon Stadium circled in red on his calendar.

How to watch Club America vs San Diego in the USA

Club America and San Diego FC will meet in one of the headline matchups of the opening week of the 2026 Leagues Cup. Fans in the United States can watch the match exclusively through Apple TV, with live coverage available.

Can I watch Club America vs San Diego for free?

Eligible new users can watch the match by taking advantage of Apple TV‘s 7-day free trial, subject to account eligibility and the current promotional terms. Once the trial is activated, the match is available through the platform.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Club America opens its Leagues Cup campaign at Estadio Banorte, becoming one of the first Liga MX clubs to host a Phase One match in Mexico under the tournament’s new format.

They enter the tournament as the No. 3 team in the 2026 Leagues Cup Ranking, behind only Toluca and Tigres. That position earned Las Aguilas the right to host one Phase One match at Estadio Banorte, making them one of only three Liga MX clubs to receive home-field advantage during the opening stage.

The stakes are significant because every team plays only three Phase One matches, all against clubs from the opposite league. There are no draws in the competition: teams receive three points for a regulation win, while games level after 90 minutes go directly to penalties, with the shootout winner earning an additional point.

Only the top-performing clubs from each league qualify for the quarterfinals, meaning even a single dropped result can dramatically impact a team’s chances of advancing. This is also a measuring-stick game between two ambitious clubs.

America enters the tournament as one of Liga MX‘s highest-ranked teams and a perennial title contender, while San Diego FC has quickly become one of MLS‘ most competitive expansion sides.

Club America vs San Diego: Predicted Lineups

Club America (4-2-3-1): Rodolfo Cota; Cristian Borja, Ramon Juarez, Nestor Araujo, Dagoberto Espinoza; Alan Cervantes, Jonathan dos Santos; Erick Sanchez, Raphael Veiga, Isaias Violante; Henry Martin.

San Diego FC (4-3-3): CJ dos Santos; Kieran Sargeant, Manu Duah, Christopher McVey, Dagur Dan Þorhallsson; Onni Valakari, Jeppe Tverskov, Alejandro Alvarado Jr.; David Vazquez, Marcus Ingvartsen, Anders Dreyer.

What time is the Club America vs San Diego match?

Club America and San Diego FC square off on Thursday, August 6, with kickoff scheduled for 10:00 PM ET at Estadio Banorte. It is one of only a handful of Phase One matches being played in Mexico.

• Eastern Time: 10:00 PM
• Central Time: 9:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 8:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 7:00 PM

[Watch Pumas UNAM vs San Diego live in the USA on Fubo]

What was expected to be a tight, hard-nosed battle between rivals turned one-sided, as San Diego FC took full advantage of its home-field edge. The MLS side cruised to a commanding 4–1 win over Pumas UNAM in the first leg, putting themselves firmly in control of the first-round series.

San Diego can now advance even with a two-goal loss in the second match in Mexico. Meanwhile, Pumas face a daunting task, needing a three-goal victory to pull off a dramatic and historic comeback.

When will the Pumas UNAM vs San Diego match be played?

This second leg game in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup first round between Pumas UNAM and San Diego will be played this Tuesday, February 10 at 8:00 PM (ET).

Pumas UNAM vs San Diego: Time by State in the USA

ET: 8:00 PM
CT: 7:00 PM
MT: 6:00 PM
PT: 5:00 PM

How to watch Pumas UNAM vs San Diego in the USA

This 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup game between Pumas UNAM and San Diego will be broadcast in the United States on Fubo. Other options: DirecTV Stream, FS2, TUDN and ViX.

[Watch San Diego vs Pumas UNAM live in the USA on Fubo]

A compelling CONCACAF Champions Cup clash will feature two teams with ambitions of a deep run, as Pumas UNAM meet MLS side San Diego FC. Pumas bring significant international experience and early Liga MX form that underline their status as title contenders.

Meanwhile, San Diego arrive with confidence after a strong 2025 season that saw the club reach the MLS semifinals. Facing a seasoned opponent won’t be easy, but San Diego will aim to rise to the challenge.

When will the San Diego vs Pumas UNAM match be played?

This first leg game in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup first round between San Diego and Pumas UNAM will be played this Tuesday, February 3 at 11:00 PM (ET).

San Diego vs Pumas UNAM: Time by State in the USA

ET: 11:00 PM
CT: 10:00 PM
MT: 9:00 PM
PT: 8:00 PM

How to watch San Diego vs Pumas UNAM in the USA

This 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup game between San Diego and Pumas UNAM will be broadcast in the United States on Fubo. Other options: DirecTV Stream, FS2, TUDN and ViX.

[Watch LA Galaxy vs San Diego live in the USA on Apple TV]

The 2025 MLS season kicks off with two intriguing debuts. Reigning champions Los Angeles Galaxy, who have bounced back from a couple of rough seasons, are ready to defend their title after an impressive 2024 campaign that proved they remain a powerhouse in Concacaf.

They’ll face off against San Diego FC, an expansion team eager to make a splash in their inaugural match. With a youthful squad averaging just 25 years old, San Diego are looking to set the tone for their first season in the league and prove they can compete from the start.

When will the LA Galaxy vs San Diego match be played?

LA Galaxy play against San Diego this Sunday, February 23, in the Matchday 1 of the 2025 MLS season, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM (ET).

LA Galaxy vs San Diego: Time by State in the USA

ET: 7:00 PM

CT: 6:00 PM

MT: 5:00 PM

PT: 4:00 PM

How to watch LA Galaxy vs San Diego in the USA

Tune in to MLS League Pass on Apple TV to catch the 2025 MLS regular season showdown between LA Galaxy and San Diego, live in the USA.

San Diego FC is slated to play in MLS as of the 2025 season and will be the 30th team in the league, although rumors indicate that they won’t be the last. San Diego FC is looking to make a big splash in the community, and Chucky Lozano will be a big part of that.

Lozano’s move to MLS will involve a transfer fee rumored to be in the $10 million range, as well as signing a lucrative contract with the club. The deal is reported to be for four years.

What is Hirving Lozano’s rumored MLS salary?

According to AS, Hirving Lozano’s MLS salary is reported to be in the range of $7-9 million. Lozano would almost automatically become the third-highest-paid player in the league if he makes in the $9 million range.

Lozano would be yet another high-priced Mexican import in a long line of name Mexican players who have usually flopped in MLS. Carlos Vela, Jorge Campos, and Cuauhtémoc Blanco stand out as the best imports from Mexico in MLS history.

Some of the flops include Rafa Marquez, Javier Hernández, Nery Castillo, Luis Ángel Landín, and Giovani dos Santos.