‘Chucky Mania’ hits San Diego, Hirving Lozano motivated to win MLS titles

On a typically brilliant San Diego day, Mexican soccer star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano said he’d like to do something that’s generally atypical around here — win championships.

Lozano was introduced Thursday as the first designated player of the Major League Soccer expansion team San Diego FC, which will begin play next season.

With San Diego bordering the winger’s native Mexico, the signing is expected to be popular among the region’s soccer fans. A packed news conference in a lounge at Snapdragon Stadium was the first stop of the day for Lozano and his family. The club was hosting a “Chucky Mania” public introduction Thursday evening that was expected to draw up to 10,000 fans at a concert shell on San Diego Bay.

“I want to win championships to San Diego and leave my mark to this league,” Lozano said in opening remarks delivered in English. Following a lengthy news conference that was conducted in Spanish, the 28-year-old from Mexico City went outside and stepped onto his new pitch and posed with team officials for a few dozen photographers and videographers.

“It’s a very nice stadium, a very nice pitch,” Lozano said in English while wearing a San Diego FC scarf and holding a soccer ball.

The dearth of championships by San Diego teams came up a few times. Lozano has won titles with every club he has been on.

“My objective is to work hard and give my all for San Diego, and we’ll work hard to give San Diego championships and titles,” he said through an interpreter. “I think we’re going to be a great, great team in MLS. I think the base is there, and I’m sure we’ll be doing great.”