SDFC star Chucky Lozano’s status remains uncertain after locker room blowup

San Diego FC opens the Major League Soccer playoffs on Sunday night at Snapdragon Stadium.

Whether left winger Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, the face of the expansion franchise and a major draw for its Mexican-American fan base, is on the field or even at the stadium remains a question, however.

Lozano did not accompany the team to Portland last Saturday for its final regular-season game after what sources described as a locker room tantrum when he was subbed out at halftime of the previous game at Houston. The decision to leave the 30-year-old Mexican star home last week was believed to be the club’s.

“We had a situation that we’re handling internally,” coach Mikey Varas said after the 4-0 win at Portland when asked about Lozano’s status, declining to elaborate. “We’ll take it week by week.”

Varas is next scheduled to meet with media after practice Friday.

Lozano was club’s first marquee signing last year for a reported $12 million transfer fee from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. According to salary figures from the MLS Players Association, his total compensation this season of $7.63 million ranks fifth in the league.

Lozano has had an up-and-down season, limited to 22 starts (out of 34 MLS games) by nagging hamstring injuries, logging nine goals and 10 assists but growing visibly frustrated on the field with incessant fouling by opponents and tactical congestion. He has largely been overshadowed by Danish right winger Anders Dreyer, who has put together a season (19 goals, 19 assists) worthy of MVP consideration.

Lozano’s frustration was apparent in SDFC’s Sept. 27 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes. The following week, he started at Houston but was subbed at halftime for tactical reasons — viewed by some star players as the height of embarrassment — with SDFC trailing 1-0.

Amahl Pellegrino, a late-season acquisition from San Jose, replaced Lozano on the left wing and helped orchestrate a four-goal second half for a 4-2 victory with a goal and two assists. Following a two-week international break, Pellegrino started at Portland last week and scored twice more in a 4-0 shellacking that gave SDFC the Western Conference title.

In three halves without Lozano, Pellegrino has three goals and three assists, and SDFC has outscored opponents 8-1.

What remains to be seen is whether this is merely an isolated incident that will blow over or an indication of deeper problems that could lead to Lozano’s departure during the winter transfer window. A club spokesperson said Lozano is “fully integrated” with the club at training this week but stopped short of confirming his status for the best-of-three first-round series that opens Sunday at 6:30 p.m.