Why Jasper Löffelsend Could Be San Diego FC’s Smartest Move Yet | OneFootball

Last Wednesday night, during the much-anticipated 2024 MLS Expansion Draft, San Diego FC took a bold step toward what’s shaping up to be a thrilling debut in 2025. Out of their picks, three players will stay in San Diego to help write the opening chapter of this new story. Two others? They were immediately traded, like chess pieces in a high-stakes match. Oh, and here’s the kicker: every club that lost a player in this process pocketed $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM).

Among San Diego’s new additions is Jasper Löffelsend, a 27-year-old German with an intriguing résumé. He’s spent three seasons in MLS, playing for Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids, and his versatility makes him that all-important “jack of all trades.” This guy’s played as a fullback and a midfielder, consistently putting in the hard work and delivering the kind of reliability coaches dream about.

Now, trading away two draft picks right out of the gate might seem like a genius strategy, but it also raises eyebrows, does the club know exactly where it’s headed, or are they still figuring it out? Each player lost in the draft earned $50,000 in GAM for their previous teams. Sure, $50K might not sound like much, but in the MLS, where the financial rules are tighter than a drum, every single dollar counts.

This is where San Diego FC has to prove they can play the game as well as the old-timers. Smart use of GAM could mean snagging an international star who’s still flying under the radar or strengthening weak spots in the roster. But let’s be real, without a solid plan, that money could disappear faster than an ice-cold beer at a summer match.

There’s something undeniably exciting about a team starting from scratch. It’s like a breath of fresh air, full of hope and the promise of something new. Everyone’s curious, watching, waiting to see how the story unfolds. San Diego FC is clearly trying to tap into that energy. But at the same time, the road to success is riddled with traps. Just look at other expansion teams that stumbled while trying to build a cohesive squad. Inter Miami, for example, went through its fair share of headaches before they finally hit their stride with Lionel Messi leading the charge.

San Diego FC has everything it takes to become one of MLS’s most compelling stories in the years to come. With players like Jasper Löffelsend bringing experience and versatility to the table, and a front office that’s not afraid to take bold risks, the potential here is massive. Sure, the path ahead won’t be easy, but if this team gets it right, we could be witnessing the start of something truly special.