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San Diego FC set to begin MLS journey with Mexican superstar
Hirving Lozano. Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego FC set to begin MLS journey with Mexican superstar

By Alyssa Clang  |  Last updated Jun 11, 2024 6:24 PM ET

San Diego FC will make its Major League Soccer debut next spring as the league's 30th franchise. The team has plenty of positives, from strong fan support to connections with the global Right to Dream soccer academy.

But nothing is more exciting than its first big signing: Mexican midfielder Hirving "Chucky" Lozano.

Lozano, currently playing for Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, will join San Diego next season as the team's first designated player.

"From the moment I had my first talk with San Diego and they showed me the project, the entire infrastructure, that moment was a shock for me," Lozano said recently, per mlssoccer.com. "It's a project that I've experienced, I've gone through before, but [this one] is 10 times better."

Beloved by both Mexican and American soccer fans, Lozano burst onto the global scene at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. His fearless, aggressive performance for Mexico against Germany won the game for el tri and lifted the team into the knockout rounds of the tournament.

Lozano caught the attention of many top European teams and chose Serie A's Napoli. He spent four productive years with the club and helped the team achieve the unthinkable: its first scudetto  since Diego Maradona played for it in 1990.

Lozano isn't the typical MLS designated player. Only 28, he still the best years of his career ahead of him — and he intends to spend them making an impact in San Diego.

"I'm full of energy and full of good vibes to try and make history. That's what I want," he said, per mlssoccer.com. "I've left my mark at every club I've played at, and to come to San Diego and leave my mark here is very important."

What will that mark look like? On the field, it's likely to involve a lot of dribbling and chance creation.

Lozano is a fast, skillful winger who excels with the ball at his feet, and he's expected to waltz into MLS as one of the most talented players in his position. Think a smaller, quicker Joseph Paintsil of the L.A. Galaxy  — that's the mold Lozano will fit.

Off the field, it's likely to involve San Diego's partnership with the Right to Dream academy. 

Right to Dream is a global organization that scouts, trains and supports under-serviced soccer talent. It has locations in Ghana, Egypt, Denmark and now San Diego. Athletes such as West Ham's Mohammed Kudus and Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard came up through their local Right to Dream academies.

Lozano hopes to leverage San Diego's Right to Dream connection to discover and nurture Mexican soccer players who might not otherwise receive the opportunity to compete at high levels.

"Honestly, the project feels like my life, so I identify a lot with it," Lozano said. "I think it's a great project. I think we can give many young players the chance to grow and have a better life so close to Mexico."

Lozano will compete with the Mexico national team at this summer's Copa America before joining up with San Diego FC. He and el tri will kick off their Copa journey on June 22 against Jamaica.

Alyssa Clang

Alyssa is a Boston-born Californian with a passion for global sport. She can yell about misplaced soccer passes in five languages and rattle off the turns of Silverstone in her sleep. You can find her dormant Twitter account at @alyssaclang, but honestly, you’re probably better off finding her here

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