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.

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