Chucky or no Chucky, San Diego FC can beat any Major League Soccer team.

That was clear long before Sunday night, when the first-year club — minus star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano owing to his spat with coach Mikey Varas — scored two quick goals in its playoff opener and went on to beat the Portland Timbers 2-1 before an announced crowd of 32,500 in Mission Valley.

Creating roars that were louder than for its 17 regular-season home matches, Varas’ club delivered a high-paced, mostly sharp performance.

Scandinavian veterans Onni Valakari and Anders Dreyer scored in the first half. Defender Manu Duah, setting up the first goal, clouted a 25-yard volley off the bar. Feeding Dreyer for his first header goal this season, rookie defender Luca Bombino led him with a crossing pass.

“Very collecti

See Full Page