SAN DIEGO -- Mexico international Hirving "Chucky" Lozano was left off the gameday roster for San Diego FC 's first-ever MLS playoff match following a report of a locker room altercation, but coach Mikey Varas hinted that Lozano could be back as soon as next week.
The 2-1 home playoff victory in Game 1 against the Portland Timbers on Sunday marked the second match in a row in which Varas left Lozano out of the lineup.
More than 30,000 fans filled Snapdragon Stadium to watch the top seed in the Western Conference win the first game in this best-of-three series. The series continues on Nov. 1 at Portland's Providence Park.
Varas said the decision to leave Lozano off the gameday roster was not an indication that the situation has not been fully resolved.
"That is not an indication," he said. "Like we said, we had a situation that we've been handling internally, and we said we would take it day-by-day, week-by-week. We think Hirving's response has been really positive in the training.
"He's working really hard, showing a lot of commitment to getting back into the team, and we had already communicated to him before this game, that as long as there's no setback this week, then he'll be back."
Following last week's 4-0 away win against the Timbers on the final day of the regular season, Varas told media that the expansion club "had a situation we're dealing with internally" regarding Lozano's absence.
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According to reporting from The Athletic on Wednesday, Lozano was involved in a verbal altercation earlier this month after being substituted at halftime against the Houston Dynamo.
Following the report, the winger issued an apology on social media.
"I'm a passionate and competitive person who always wants to give everything for the team," he posted on Instagram. "Sometimes, that same intensity can lead to reactions that don't reflect who I am or the respect I have for everyone around me.
"I didn't react in the right way, and I've already taken responsibility, addressed it, and moved forward."
Varas denied that Lozano was disrespectful when told he would be sitting out.
"Hirving took it with great respect and as a professional," he said. "This has never been a distraction; the entire group is focused on what we want to do ... we already communicated with Hirving before the match and his response has been very positive.
While he was not on the club's gameday roster, Lozano was in attendance in street clothes at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday.
In his first year in MLS, Lozano has nine goals and 10 assists across 27 appearances. After finishing at the top of the table in the Western Conference, San Diego will play Portland in a best-of-three series in the California club's postseason debut.
Varas, a finalist for Coach of the Year, helped set MLS records for San Diego for the most wins (19) and most points (63) recorded by an expansion team.
San Diego has beaten Portland in all three of their matches this season.
Lozano was seen talking to San Diego Padres star Manny Machado -- a part-owner of San Diego FC -- prior to Sunday's playoff match.