The 2025 MLS expansion franchise can add five players to their squad, selecting from a pool from other teams
San Diego FC's time to shine has arrived: MLS' 30th team is set to join the league in 2025, and they're looking to make a splash in the Western Conference. The club has already signed the likes of Mexico superstar Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano, and now, they're looking to build their core around him ahead of their debut.
They'll be active in the transfer market this winter, but first up, is Wednesday night's MLS expansion draft.
SDFC will have five selections to make from a pool of players made available by the other 29 teams, with teams allowed to protect 12 players on their roster. (The expansion draft rules also have provisions for how Generation Adidas and Homegrown players aged 25 and under are protected).
Teams are only allowed to lose one player in the expansion draft. Additionally, SDFC are not required to keep the players they draft. Although trades are not permitted during the selection process, the expansion side could select a player and later move him as a part of a negotiated deal with another team.
SDFC will take several factors into consideration for the draft, including how they will salary, fit and priority with the players they select — or other trades they make. However, there are blueprints from previous expansion teams on how to find success, and potential diamonds in the rough, in the expansion draft. LAFC in 2017-18 and St. Louis CITY SC in 2022-23, for example, are the recent clubs to follow, while a few notable selections over the years are eye-popping as well.
GOAL looks at whose name might be called by San Diego FC.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowLAFC's success
When LAFC joined MLS in 2018, they were built to be the league's next premier franchise – and it's fair to say they have lived up to that expectation. They've been three-time Western Conference champions of the regular season (2019, 2022, 2024), Western Conference title winners in the playoffs (2022, 2023), Supporters' Shield winners (2019, 2022) and US Open Cup winners (2024).
What began with a marquee signing in Carlos Vela ahead of their inaugural campaign turned into a beautiful development of a top-tier program. Their first moment of success as a club, though, was in the 2019 season – and in the match in which they claimed their first major trophy, two key members of their XI came out of the expansion draft.
Goalkeeper Tyler Miller and midfielder Latif Blessing were selected by the in 2017 ahead of their debut season, with Miller making 61 appearances across two seasons for the club, and Blessing making 145 for the club until his departure after the 2022 season.
During their 2019 Supporters' Shield run, Blessing scored six goals and recorded six assists, while Miller recorded nine clean sheets while accumulating a save percentage of 72 as they lifted their first major trophy.
The duo were key to the club's success that season, with Blessing featuring in all 34 regular season matches, and Miller in 28. They became perfect examples of when you take the expansion draft seriously, you can find true role players to benefit your team.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportSt. Louis CITY SC' stunning debut
When CITY joined MLS as an expansion side in 2023, little was expected from them. They had no high-profile superstars, and manager Bradley Carnell was a relative unknown to most of the league. However, they shocked MLS in the inaugural season, winning the Western Conference regular season title. Their playoff performance left a lot to be desired, but their inaugural regular season campaign was sensational.
And three key members of their success came from the expansion draft.
U.S. international Tim Parker, forward Niko Gioacchini and midfielder Indiana Vassilev all played significant roles in 2023 after being acquired via the expansion draft. Parker, their first selection, played in 29 regular season matches, scoring four goals while recording an 84.2 passing percentage. Gioacchini, meanwhile, had a breakout season that saw him transferred to Serie A side Como 1907 for a reported $2M fee that could increase to $4M based on performance in early 2024.
Vassilev is the only one of the three still rostered with the club, and has become a regular in their XI. Since his selection in 2022, he's made 63 appearances for the club, scoring five goals while recording nine assists in the regular season.
Although CITY struggled in 2024, their selections in the 2022-23 draft propelled them to success in 2023, with three notable selections playing massive roles.
Getty Images SportNotable selections over the years
Other teams have also found success in the expansion draft, including arguably the best selection in league history – U.S. international Brandon Vazquez.
In 2019, Nashville SC selected 21-year-old striker Vazquez, and proceeded to trade his rights to FC Cincinnati in exchange for allocation money: $150K in 2020 Targeted Allocation Money and $50K in 2021 General Allocation Money. In 2024, FCC transferred Vazquez to Liga MX side CF Monterrey for a reported $8.5M. He is since a full-fledged U.S. international, taking part in both camps under Mauricio Pochettino in 2024.
In 2010, the Portland Timbers selected Dax McCarty from FC Dallas, and the midfielder went on to have one of the most rewarding MLS careers of all time, retiring in 2024 with Atlanta United after 466 regular season appearances and 18 years in league. Unlucky for Portland, though, they traded him immediately for young prospect Rodney Wallace, who became a role player, but had nowhere the career of McCarty.
In 2008, the Seattle Sounders selected midfielder/defender Brad Evans with their final selection, taking him from the Columbus Crew. He ended up having a terrific career in the Pacific Northwest, making more than 200 appearances for Seattle while winning four U.S. Open Cups, an MLS Cup and a Supporters' Shield.
Getty Images SportGOAL's Mock Draft
GOAL presents a mock draft for San Diego in the expansion draft (including a projected trade):
ROUND 1
Julian Gressel: The Inter Miami and MLS veteran is the biggest no-brainer on this list. However, SDFC won't be drafting him to be a part of their club – he's an instant pick and trade. The 30-year-old is on a relatively friendly contract and will have immediate interest from across the league. When he signed for the in the offseason ahead of 2024, he was adamant that he wanted to stay on the East Coast – so be on the lookout for interest there.
ROUND 2
Jon Bell: Selected by CITY in the 2022-23 Expansion Draft, Bell was immediately traded to the Sounders where he became a role player under Brian Schmetzer. However, for SDFC, he is a perfect pick as a low-budget defender to begin as a franchise. He is on a contract just over $100K, has experience as a Jamaica international and recently worked under the best defensive head coach in the league. He doesn't have to be a starter, either. This is just a reliable pick that can't really go wrong.
ROUND 3
Jack Maher: The Nashville SC defender is the most high-profile pick in the projection, but he might just be worth it. At just 25, he has more than 100 appearances in the league and is well on his way to having a stellar MLS career. However, the caveat is his salary. According to the MLSPA, he made $795,467 in 2024 in guaranteed compensation — which is steep. However, experienced defenders in this league are not easy to come by, and as a result, this one might be worth it.
ROUND 4
DJ Taylor: The right fullback has started 69 games for MNUFC over the past three seasons and is on a salary-friendly contract at $190K. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in work rate, and has made a name for himself with the Loons – despite falling out of the XI late in 2024. He would be a solid pick, and would be a good stop-gap or backup defender for SDFC.
ROUND 5
Ben Bender: This is a flyer. It's not too often a No. 1 overall SuperDraft pick is available, but here we are. He broke out with CLT FC in his debut season in 2022, but wasn't quite as productive in 2024. This year, he was sent on loan to the USL Championship, where he didn't necessarily thrive, either. However, Mikey Varas is a coach who has excelled with youth throughout his career. Could he be the one to tap in to the talent that saw him become an NCAA star with Maryland?