San Diego FC Makes Bold Moves in Expansion Draft, Eyes Big Signings Ahead of 2025 Debut
San Diego FC, Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team, is wasting no time making waves ahead of their highly anticipated 2025 debut. The club has already made a splash by trading two draft picks during Wednesday’s expansion draft, signaling their intent to build a competitive roster from the ground up. The goal? To secure a “starting center back” and potentially a marquee Designated Player (DP) signing this winter.
Head coach Mikey Varas couldn’t hide his excitement about the team’s strategy. “We’re really excited because we’re using that money to fund a starting center back that’s gonna be a part of this spine of our team,” Varas said. The trades involved sending St. Louis City SC’s Hosei Kijima to D.C. United and New York City FC’s Thiago Andrade to Toronto FC. In return, San Diego FC received $400,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), up to $250,000 in conditional GAM based on performance, and a first-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft.
Big Moves and Bigger Ambitions
Sporting director Tyler Heaps hinted that the team is closing in on a major DP signing. “We’re definitely working on it, it’ll come. I think we’re very close,” Heaps said. “But you know how this industry works, it’s about negotiating, it’s about getting the right price, and it’s about getting the right player.”
While Heaps didn’t drop any names, earlier reports in 2024 linked Spanish defender Sergio Ramos to a potential move to San Diego. Adding fuel to the fire, Give Me Sports recently reported that the club has acquired Colombian international defender Andrés Reyes from the New York Red Bulls. If true, this would be a significant addition to the team’s defensive lineup.
Expansion Draft Highlights
San Diego FC didn’t stop with trades. They also made several key selections during the expansion draft, picking up Orlando City’s Heine Gikling Bruseth, Charlotte FC’s Hamady Diop, and Colorado Rapids’ Jasper Löffelsend. These players will join a roster that already boasts an impressive mix of talent.
Leading the charge is Mexican international Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who headlines a roster that includes Marcus Ingvartsen, Jeppe Tverskov, Paddy McNair, Duran Ferree, Alex Mighten, Tomás Ángel, Christopher McVey, and CJ dos Santos. The team is clearly building a roster with depth and versatility, aiming to hit the ground running in their inaugural season.
Mark Your Calendars
San Diego FC’s debut is set to be a blockbuster event. The team will kick off their first-ever MLS season with an away game against the reigning MLS Cup champions, the LA Galaxy, during the opening weekend on February 22-23, 2025. The excitement doesn’t stop there. On March 1, they’ll host St. Louis City SC in their home opener at Snapdragon Stadium, giving fans their first chance to see the team in action on home turf.
Ownership Making Headlines
San Diego FC’s ownership group is as diverse and star-studded as their roster. Last month, the club announced that Spain World Cup-winner Juan Mata had joined the ownership team, making him the first active international player to hold a stake in an MLS team. Mata joins an ownership group that includes Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation—marking the first time a Native American tribe has been part of a professional soccer team’s ownership in the U.S.—and San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado, among others.
What’s Next?
Fans won’t have to wait long to see more from San Diego FC. The team is set to unveil their first-ever kits this Friday, a moment that will undoubtedly add to the growing buzz surrounding the club. With a strong ownership group, a promising roster, and ambitious plans for the future, San Diego FC is shaping up to be a team to watch in MLS.
As the countdown to 2025 continues, one thing is clear: San Diego FC is here to make a statement. Whether it’s through bold trades, high-profile signings, or a commitment to building a competitive team, this expansion side is setting the stage for an exciting debut season. Stay tuned, because the best is yet to come.
Originally Written by: N/A
