San Diego FC Trades Thiago Andrade, and Toronto Might Just Be the Big Winner

San Diego FC came out swinging during the 2024 MLS Expansion Draft. Seriously, you could feel the mix of excitement and skepticism in the air. The club, set to officially join the league in 2025, has already made it clear they're not here to play around. But are their moves as clever as they seem? Especially when it comes to trading away Thiago Andrade, a decision that’s already stirring up plenty of chatter and splitting opinions.

San Diego picked five players to start building their foundation, but right off the bat, they shipped two of them off in trades designed to pay off down the line. Among them, Thiago Andrade, formerly of New York City FC, ended up with Toronto FC.

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Thiago isn’t just some random player. The guy’s a 2021 MLS Cup champion with NYCFC, boasting 12 goals and 6 assists to his name. He’s the kind of forward who can flip a game on its head. Quick, skilled, and with that undeniable Brazilian flair, he’s the sort of player who gives defenders nightmares.

On paper, the trade doesn’t look terrible. San Diego snagged the 9th pick in the 2025 SuperDraft, $250,000 in conditional General Allocation Money (GAM), and even secured a piece of any future transfer fee for Thiago. Not too shabby, right? After all, building a brand-new team isn’t just about loading up on stars; it’s about stacking assets and keeping the long game in mind.

Still, San Diego FC seems more focused on playing it safe than taking bold risks. Don’t get me wrong; no one wants to be that expansion team that spends its first season getting thrashed. But giving up on a player like Thiago, who already knows the league and could’ve been a fan favorite, feels like a cautious, and maybe too cautious, move.

Meanwhile, Toronto FC is all smiles, betting that Thiago could be exactly the spark they need. On the flip side, San Diego is left with assets that may or may not pan out in the future. And let’s face it: the future is a roll of the dice. That 9th pick in the SuperDraft could turn into a breakout star... or just another benchwarmer. Sure, the $250,000 in GAM helps with the budget, but is it enough?

Starting with a solid foundation is smart, but you also need a player who makes waves, someone who gets people talking. Thiago Andrade could’ve been that guy. A Brazilian forward with MLS experience could’ve given the team an identity, drawn in fans, and maybe even boosted jersey sales. Instead, San Diego chose to trade the sure thing for a big question mark.

Remember Inter Miami’s early days? They brought in big-name players, built a team that looked good on paper, and… well, it took them a few years to find their groove. Is San Diego trying to avoid the same mistakes, or are they just scared of taking risks?

Meanwhile, Toronto FC is rolling out the red carpet for Thiago Andrade. And who can blame them? They’ve snagged a player who, with the right mindset and system, could shine. Thiago is young, talented, and playing for a club like Toronto, with its experience handling international players, could unlock his full potential. If he lights it up there, San Diego’s decision might come back to haunt them.

Maybe San Diego saw something the rest of us didn’t. Could it be concerns about his fit in their system, adaptation issues, or just a gamble that they’ll find something better in the 2025 SuperDraft? What’s the real game plan for San Diego FC? Are they swinging for the fences, or are they just playing it safe? On one hand, stockpiling assets is a smart strategy. On the other, new teams need players who get fans excited.