SDFC to build on inaugural year success in fast-approaching second season – The Daily Aztec

After a record-breaking inaugural season that ended in the Western Conference Final, San Diego FC earned a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup with a chance to prove itself against competitors across the region in a fight for continental glory. Following a successful first season, SDFC’s supporters headed into the offseason full of optimism towards the future. 

Some faces from the historical year would eventually be let go or move on to new opportunities, but much of the squad has stayed. And with some key additions looking to make an impact, hopes are high among fans that this new group can build off its first season’s success into a consistent winning culture. 

Many unknowns and unwritten stories lie ahead for this young club, some of which may likely be answered in short order.

Continental-sized contest

Finishing first in the points table of Major League Soccer’s Western Conference not only marked an early achievement for San Diego FC but also netted them an invitation to the Champions Cup. SDFC will be one of five clubs making their debut in the Champions Cup alongside four other newcomers: Canadian clubs Atlético Ottawa and Vancouver FC, Dominican Republic club O&M FC and Jamaican club Mount Pleasant FA. 

Organized in 1962 by CONCACAF, the governing body of North America, Central America and the Caribbean, the Champions Cup brings together the top clubs from across the continental region. Annually, between February and March, these squads compete for the chance to hoist the cup and etch their names into the history books as the continent’s champion of champions.

This year will be CONCACAF’s 61st edition of the Champions Cup, featuring 27 clubs, 22 of which will be playing in the first round. The other five teams, winners of the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, CONCACAF Central American Cup, Leagues Cup, MLS Cup and Liga MX, will receive a bye week and begin their play in round two. All rounds, save for the final, will be played on a home-and-away format, and the winner based on aggregate score will move forward.

Opening round one against such a storied competitor in Liga MX club Pumas UNAM, the Chrome and Azul will face a difficult early test after only a brief preseason to prepare for the three-time Champions Cup winner. 

“We got straight back to it. It’s a different year than last year. The first few days of training were fantastic. We’re fortunate to bring back 26 players, so a lot of that continuity and that style of play and everything we’ve been doing is there, and trying to integrate some new guys,” sporting director Tyler Heaps said of the team’s preparation ahead of the competition.

Strikers quagmire

There was plenty to be impressed about with San Diego FC’s performance in the 2025 MLS, but one glaring issue throughout the campaign was the inconsistency at the No. 9 position. 

During the club’s infancy, SDFC had signed Danish forward Marcus Ingvartsen to be the spearpoint of the offense’s three-pronged front alongside Mexican star forward Hirving “Chucky” Lozano and fellow Danish international, as well as 2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year, Anders Dreyer. However, injury had plagued much of Ingvartsen’s season to the point that he was featured in only eight matches. 

San Diego caught lightning in a bottle in the middle of the season with Escondido native striker Milan Iloski scoring 10 goals in 14 matches, primarily off the bench, but the team would later lose him to a loan recall. After Iloski, SDFC never managed to find consistent scoring production from their strikers.

With Ingvartsen returning from injury and the club also acquiring productive Scottish forward Lewis Morgan from the New York Red Bulls over the offseason, a player also coming off an injury-derailed season, the hope appears to be that these players can regain their form and provide some much-needed scoring production at the position.

The Lozano question

Lozano came into SDFC as the clear face of the club as well as the player with the most star power to their name. Despite leg injuries limiting his participation at a few points during the season, he performed well, netting 19 goal contributions in 27 matches. Then, in a stunning move, Tyler Heaps announced to reporters less than a week into the 2026 preseason that Lozano would no longer be a part of the club’s future plans.

“We all respect him for the player that he is. Ultimately, it’s just not the right fit, and when it’s not the right fit, it’s no one’s fault. It’s making sure that we set him up best as possible to help him arrive to the World Cup because we do want what’s the best for him. Most importantly, this is what we think is best for the team, in the short-term and long-term,” head coach Mikey Varas said of Lozano in a separate statement. 

As of current, Lozano is still under contract with the club, with nothing officially revealed about any potential suitors. That is important, not only because of the star forward’s $7.6 million contract still on the club’s books, but also because he currently takes up one of SDFC’s Designated Player spots. 

Designated Players in MLS are roster slots allocated specifically to players who earn significantly more money than the average MLS player and are generally reserved by clubs for high-level players who are, ideally, the stars of the team in terms of production.

The good news for San Diego FC is that they still have time to figure out this issue ahead of the transfer window closing on March 26, and potentially replace Lozano with a player better suited to whatever the club’s vision may be.

San Diego FC’s second season begins in the Champions Cup on Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. PST, where they will host the opening leg match at Snapdragon Stadium. Those wanting to tune in to the two-legs can watch on Concacaf GO, FS2, TUDN or Univision.