San Diego FC vs. LA Galaxy Match Preview | OneFootball

The final game of Saturday’s MLS schedule sees a California clash between San Diego FC and LA Galaxy. Both SoCal clubs are looking to make a playoff push in the second half of the season. Chucky Lozano is in line to make his return to Snapdragon Stadium after San Diego exiled him from the team earlier this year.

Match Details

Who: San Diego FC vs. LA GalaxyWhat: MLS Regular SeasonWhere: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CaliforniaWhen: Saturday August 29, 10:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM PTWatch: Apple TV

San Diego On A Roll As Playoff Spot Beckons

Considering how good San Diego FC were in their inaugural season last year, what we saw from them in the first half of 2026 was a shock. Second season syndrome hit hard and last year’s Western Conference finalists found themselves outside the playoff spots when the World Cup break came around. They still haven’t made it there yet, but the gap is narrowing.

The time off certainly helped San Diego. They’ve hit a run of form since play resumed, only losing one of their last five league matches. Last weekend’s 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids showed what this team is capable of. Their first match after the break was a 1-0 loss to those same Rapids, so Mikey Varas and company are clearly improving.

San Diego’s defense has been especially good of late. That clean sheet against the Rapids was their fourth in nine games since the break. One of those was against the Galaxy’s biggest rival LAFC in a 1-0 away win. San Diego have juggled a few goalkeepers so far this season but Cape Verde international CJ Dos Santos has made that spot his own after the historic run his nation had in the World Cup.

New Galaxy Star Chucky Lozano Set For San Diego Return

All the cameras will be on one man Saturday night. Chucky Lozano makes his return to San Diego after being cast aside during the offseason. The former Mexico international didn’t play the entire first half of the season as all parties looked for a move, and that exit came earlier this month. Lozano joined LA Galaxy on loan with an option to buy.

Chucky Lozano was San Diego’s statement signing in their first MLS season. He joined from Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven and showed why SDFC paid the big bucks, contributing 11 goals and nine assists in his first season stateside. However, a locker room bust-up with Varas led to Lozano being frozen out of the squad. It was made clear to the winger that he would not play for San Diego again, but he rejected transfer offers anyway. That decision ultimately cost Lozano his place in the Mexico World Cup team. 

Now all that is in the past, but this fixture will be very important to Chucky. He has the opportunity to get revenge on the manager and club that forced him out. Lozano has yet to score or assist for LA Galaxy in his three appearances. This would be the perfect time to make his mark on the scoresheet for the first time in Galaxy colors.

Match Prediction

Both sides have done a pretty good job of not conceding goals as of late, so expect this to be a cagey and low-scoring affair. Whether or not Lozano starts, he’ll make an impact in his minutes. I’m still backing San Diego to get the result in front of their home crowd, but don’t be surprised if Chucky scores.

Prediction: San Diego FC 1-0 LA Galaxy