Jasper Löffelsend is headed to San Diego. San Diego FC, Major League Soccer’s newest club set to begin play in 2025, took the German Colorado Rapids midfielder in the MLS expansion draft on Wednesday night as one of its five picks. As compensation, the Rapids received $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM). Löffelsend arrived in Colorado nearly a year ago in a trade with rival Real Salt Lake to bolster the defensive midfield in new coach Chris Armas’s system. But after Oliver Larraz and Cole Bassett combined to make a formidable six duo, Löffelsend’s services were not required like the club envisioned upon signing him. In 2024, the 27-year-old made 22 appearances in all competitions and recorded one assist in 331 MLS minutes. In his three MLS seasons, it was by far his quietest. That made the pickup by SDFC all the more unexpected. But to Löffelsend’s credit, he can play multiple positions (he’s played stints at outside back before joining the Rapids) and was almost always a workhorse, whether he earned minutes or not. As a fringe starting caliber midfielder, his base salary of $230,000 won’t be too harsh on SDFC’s books — perhaps one reason why key players like Inter Miami’s Julian Gressel and Philadelphia Union’s Jack Elliott, who were left available to take, were not picked. Related Articles Colorado Rapids | Rapids announce list of protected players for MLS expansion draft, draw LAFC in CONCACAF Champions Cup Colorado Rapids | Rapids sign center backs Chidozie Awaziem, Ian Murphy in MLS half-day trade window Colorado Rapids | Chris Armas elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame 2025 Class on veteran ballot Colorado Rapids | Rapids decline veteran defender Lalas Abubakar’s option, signaling time in Colorado may be done Colorado Rapids | Takeaways from Colorado Rapids’ 2024 season: Lessons learned and cause for hope in 2025 San Diego also picked up midfielder Heine Bruseth from Orlando City FC and defender Hamady Diop from Charlotte FC. New York City FC forward Thiago Andrade heard his name called, but was immediately traded to Toronto FC for next week’s No. 9 overall pick in the SuperDraft, $250,000 in GAM and a sell-on clause for any future transfer. St. Louis CITY SC midfielder Hosei Kijima was picked and traded to D.C. United for $400,000 in GAM. The 2025 MLS SuperDraft will take place on Friday, Dec. 20, in which Rapids have eight picks. Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.