San Diego FC started Wednesday with seven players. Less than 24 hours later that number is nearly doubled.
The newest Major League Soccer club came away with six additions by the end of their MLS Expansion Draft. Sporting Director Tyler Heaps and Head Coach Mikey Varas made five picks, two of which were traded away by night’s end.
Their roster additions are midfielders Jasper Loffelsend (Colorado) and Heine Bruseth (Orlando), and defender Hamady Diop (Charlotte). They also selected Thiago Andrade and Hosei Kijima. Andrade was sent to Toronto and Kijima to D.C. United for cash and a draft pick.
Prior to the draft the club announced two trades. Goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos comes over from Inter Miami. The 24-year-old has international experience with the United States Youth National Teams. They also added MLS experience in Chris McVey. The former D.C. United defender came to the league in 2022 and won the 2023 Leagues Cup alongside Lionel Messi in Miami.
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There was also one move that has been reported, but is not yet official. According to MLS insider Tom Bogert the club landed center back Andres Reyes from the New York Red Bulls. The 25-year-old from Colombia scored the winning goal to lift New York past Orlando in this year’s Eastern Conference Final. Reyes was unable to play in their MLS Cup Final loss to L.A. Galaxy because of an illness.
“I think we have really good players that complement each other very well,” Heaps said. “Now you can start to see the spine start to take shape. I think we’ve got a really good center back pairing for this league – people that complement each other in terms of Paddy (McNair) and potentially the new one that’s coming. We’ve got some goalkeepers that are gonna be eager and challenging to compete for that No. 1 job. We’ve got a frontline that we think is very dangerous. If we can complete one or two more pieces we think it can be among some of the best in the league.”
Heaps believes Loffelsend can start for SDFC from day one. The 27-year-old German has been in the league since 2022, and made 34 starts from 2022-2023 for Real Salt Lake.
“Heine we think has top potential,” Heaps said about the 20-year-old from Norway. He joined Orlando City in 2024 but did not make an appearance.
Diop was the No. 1 pick in the SuperDraft two years ago out of Clemson. Charlotte drafted the now 22-year-old and loaned him to a club in Serbia for 2024.
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“He’s proven he can do it in Europe, there was a lot of interest for him to stay in Europe,” Heaps said. “We think he’s a really good profile to stay with us and contribute in MLS.”
Those six join a roster that features Mexican star Chucky Lozano, who will arrive in San Diego after wrapping up his time with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. The team also includes San Diego native Duran Ferree, an 18-year-old goalkeeper. They added 21-year-old forward Tomas Angel from LAFC earlier this week.
The roster will continue to grow in the coming weeks. MLS free agency begins Thursday. San Diego FC is slated to make the top pick in the SuperDraft on December 20. The window to sign players from international leagues opens January 31.
Lozano is currently the club’s lone “Designated Player” – top talents, often acquired from overseas. Lionel Messi is the most popular example at the moment. Given the steep price tag for those players, their salary does not count against the team’s cap.
The club intends to add another “DP” before the season.
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“I think the next step for us is to get our second DP,” Varas said. “We know in our league when you get your DPs right you’re competitive.”
Californians may be eligible to receive a voucher for thousands of dollars to go toward the purchase of an e-bike.
The California E-bike Incentive Project begins accepting applications Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. from under-served community members. Organizers say the goal of the program is to “make environmentally-friendly transportation accessible and affordable to all.”
Vouchers can be applied like a discount at select stores and online retailers. The “base incentive voucher” covers $1,750 at the point of purchase, with an additional $250 available to priority applicants, who demonstrate a financial need based on the Federal Poverty guidelines.
How to qualify
Applicants have to be California residents over the age of 18, able to verify their household income and have to complete an online application. Household income has to be less than $45,180 for individuals, $61,320 for a family of two and $93,600 for a family of four. For full income guidelines, visit the project website.
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The online application asks for basic information, requires that applicants upload forms to verify their qualifications for the program and provides applicants with two training videos. E-bike riding hopefuls who are approved will get an email with information about how much their voucher is for, its expiration date and a voucher code.
People whose applications are denied will also get an email either detailing instructions on how to resubmit, or information on why they are ineligible/
Purchasing an e-bike
Vouchers are valid at 386 brick-and-mortar and online retailers in California. A number of e-bike requirements are necessary for purchase: The bike must be new, for example, and be fully assembled and come with a minimum 1-year warranty on its electrical components.
Buyers should take their lifestyle needs into account in order to get the most out of their e-bike. With a number of “classes” available, e-bike designs vary to accommodate a range of user needs. According to the project website, “A Class 1 e-bike, also known as a pedelec, relies on pedaling to propel forward,” while “Class 2 e-bikes offer both pedal assist and throttle assist, allowing them to move forward even without pedaling.” Class 3 e-bikes reach higher speeds, according to the website
About the incentive project
The goal is to incentivize e-bike usage and increase access to e-bikes. The initiative is “intended to encourage the adoption for low-income individuals of e-bikes as a replacement for motor vehicle trips while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”
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The California E-bike Incentive Project is partnered with California Air Resources Board and San Diego-based non-profit Pedal Ahead. The project is also a part of California Climate Investments, which “puts billions of dollars of cap-and-trade auction proceeds to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, improving public health and the environment, and providing meaningful benefits to the most disadvantaged communities and low-income communities and households,” according to the climate investments website.
With the 2024 MLS Expansion Draft on the horizon, San Diego FC have five important decisions to make as they build their current squad.
As the newest expansion team in Major League Soccer, San Diego FC get to draft players from existing MLS rosters to their club. MLS teams were only able to protect 12 players from selection, leaving a large portion of their rosters vulnerable.
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The Western Conference side already signed Duran Ferree, Marcus Ingvartsen, Paddy McNair, Alex Mighten, Jeppe Tverskov, Tomás Ángel and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, but will need plenty more players to round out its roster. Although there are over 350 players available in the draft, San Diego FC can only choose five.
Here’s five eligible players that San Diego FC should consider.
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5. Paul Arriola (FC Dallas)
Paul Arriola is the captain of FC Dallas. / Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Chula Vista native Paul Arriola could return to San Diego if he is one of the players selected by the expansion team. Every new MLS club needs a leader, both on the pitch and in the locker room, and Arriola fits the description. The 29-year-old is the captain of FC Dallas and has eight years of experience in MLS.
Arriola is a jack-of-all-trades player that can play as a wing-back, a fullback and a midfielder. Despite his varying positions, the captain buried five goals in the 2024 season. He was named an MLS All-Star in 2022 and also has 50 caps for the U.S. men’s national team.
4. Iuri Tavares (Charlotte FC)
Not every player San Diego FC draft can be a proven talent. The team needs to build its depth (while also saving money) and 23-year-old Iuri Tavares is someone worth taking a chance on. The Charlotte FC forward only started eight games this past season, but found the back of the net three times and bagged an assist.
His height also makes him a constant threat on set pieces and a player capable of winning aerial duels. Tavares scored his three goals in three different starts, showcasing his potential production when given consistent minutes.
3. Julian Gressel (Inter Miami)
Julian Gressel celebrates Inter Miami’s 2024 Supporters’ Shield. / Inter Miami CF/MLS Photos via Imagn Images
Julian Gressel is a versatile option who is coming off playing an integral role in Inter Miami’s record-breaking MLS regular season. The 30-year-old proved he can play as a right wing-back, central midfielder or right winger, all while delivering quality service into the box.
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Gressel tallied nine assists for the Herons and created 44 goalscoring chances. He is calm with the ball at his feet and an accurate passer. Gressel is someone who could thrive immediately with a new team.
2. Jovan Mijatović (New York City FC)
Jovan Mijatović’s completed his blockbuster move from Serbia’s FK Crvena zvezda to NYCFC in Feb. 2024 but never found consistent minutes under Nick Cushing. The 19-year-old only started two matches and played a total of 266 minutes, most often coming on as a substitute in the dying minutes of a match.
Although he failed to show his quality in his debut season in MLS, the teenager has arguably one of the highest ceilings in the league if given the time and opportunity to grow. San Diego FC have been vocal about their commitment to developing young talent and they can get started with Mijatović.
1. Dante Vanzeir (New York Red Bulls)
Choosing a player who started every game for New York Red Bulls in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs feels like a no-brainer. Dante Vanzeir was the hero in the first ever playoff Hudson River Derby, assisting Felipe Carballo’s opening goal and sealing the game with one of his own just nine minutes later.
The forward ended the season with six goals and 10 assists despite Red Bulls’ often stagnant attack. The output was a massive step forward from his two-goal haul in his debut MLS season. The 26-year-old now has the experience and production an expansion team like San Diego FC needs to hit the ground running.
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The No. 24 San Diego State Aztecs (6-2) hope to continue a three-game winning run when they host the Cal Baptist Lancers (5-4) at 10:00 PM ET on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at Viejas Arena. The game airs on ESPN+.
San Diego State defeated San Diego 74-57 at home last time out, and were led by Nicholas Boyd (17 PTS, 6 AST, 50.00 FG%, 2-6 from 3PT) and Miles Byrd (13 PTS, 40.00 FG%, 2-3 from 3PT).
Cal Baptist won on the road over UCF 59-74 last time out, and were led by Dominique Daniels Jr. (33 PTS, 44.00 FG%, 3-7 from 3PT) and Javonte Johnson (6 PTS, 66.67 FG%, 2-3 from 3PT).
Here is everything you need to get ready for Wednesday’s college basketball action.
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San Diego State Aztecs vs. Cal Baptist Lancers
Game day: Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Game time: 10:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Live stream: ESPN+ – Watch NOW
NCAA Basketball Odds and Betting Lines
Spread: San Diego State -15
Total: 135.5
College basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Wednesday at 5:59 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
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