MLS reacts to San Diego Draft and other additions

Jasper Löffelsend
Photo: Linda Brothers

MLS watchers are beginning to react to SDFC’s Expansion Draft hires and other recent roster moves.

Although five picks were available, two of them were immediately traded so that the evening ended with just three new names, Jasper Löffelsend, Heine Gikling Bruseth and Hamady Diop.

That said, there was additional activity elsewhere as the SoCal club added other pieces from outside the framework of the draft.

In the aftermath of the Draft however, local reaction was positive.

Tony Sanchez of San Diego Futbol told us:

“The picks for San Diego FC in the expansion draft continue to signal the direction for the club in their first year.

Heine Gikling Bruseth is a top player who will play in the midfield and provide creativity alongside fellow Scandinavian pivot man Jeppe Tverskov.

The club has opted for youth and prospects by keeping Jasper Löffelsend and Hamady Diop, in whom both head coach Mikey Varas and sporting director Tyler Heaps see the analytic backing and intangible qualities they are looking for in a player.

SDFC is loading the coffers with more money in the salary cap and will look to make a big splash with a DP to be announced soon.”

Charles Boehm, writing on the MLS Official Site, added:

“In the long run, the Southern California side plan to rely on their academy – set to utilize the principles and curriculum of the Right To Dream system, of which it’s the latest outpost in a global network of sibling clubs – to supply a steady stream of young talent for the first team.

“With that pipeline not expected to produce for at least a couple of years, there’s a need to fill that gap in the meantime, which informs much of their activity this winter.”

Prost International also asked for views from those who have been watching the players this year.

Matt Pollard of the Rapids fansite Burgundy Wave said this about Löffelsend:

“He’s a safe and useful contract in MLS. The 27-year-old has a team option for 2026 and then will be out of contract. He’s not a starter you’d build your team around.

“Colorado never played him at his natural position of right back for what that’s worth.

“That’s something to watch for in San Diego.”

He made 21 appearances for Colorado in 2024 after two seasons with Real Salt Lake. He has two goals and eight assists in 69 total matches in MLS.

Neither Heine Gikling Bruseth or Hamady Diop played much at the clubs they have just left.

Though clearly the new franchise didn’t have immediate plans to play or trade, as they did with Hosei Kijima and Thiago Andrade, it remains to be seen how far down the SDFC depth chart they will be.

Bruseth joined Orlando City SC in August from Norwegian top-flight side Kristiansund BK, but has yet to play a match in MLS. The Norwegian youth international occupies a U22 Initiative roster slot and has played for Norway’s U21 side once.

Senegalese Diop was selected #1 overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Charlotte FC.

He played 11 matches for Crown Legacy, Charlotte’s reserve side, before being loaned out to Serbian top-flight side FK Cukaricki for whom he has made eight appearances.

Also added the morning after the Draft is Colombian defender Andrés Reyes from the New York Red Bulls. His former club are saying that Reyes’s late scratch before MLS Cup had nothing to his trade to San Diego.

The article called Reyes, “an important part of the Red Bulls’ backline”. It will be interesting to see how and if Reyes becomes an integral part of SD’s backline.