MLS Expansion Draft: Toronto FC's Bold Move with Insigne

Toronto FC made headlines Tuesday with their announcement that they would leave designated player Lorenzo Insigne unprotected for Wednesday's MLS expansion draft. This surprising move immediately ignited speculation across the league, with many questioning the strategic reasoning behind leaving a player of Insigne's caliber exposed. The 33-year-old Italian star, whose US$15.4 million salary ranks second only to Lionel Messi's in the MLS, has had an injury-plagued and ultimately, underwhelming stint with Toronto FC.

Insigne's Time in Toronto: A Mixed Bag

Since his arrival in 2022, Insigne has displayed flashes of brilliance, showcasing the talent that made him a star for Napoli. However, injuries hampered his consistency, limiting his overall impact on the team's performance. His statistics—14 goals and 11 assists in 54 games—reflect a player capable of great things but one who hasn't quite lived up to expectations during his time with Toronto FC. The club has yet to reach the playoffs during Insigne's tenure. This, coupled with his substantial salary, may have led the team to make this difficult but potentially necessary decision.

The Financial Factor

Insigne's hefty salary was undoubtedly a primary consideration for Toronto FC. With a cap hit of US$15.4 million in 2024 and a designated player option for next year, his financial burden is significant. The team's strategic approach suggests that they prioritized fiscal responsibility, recognizing the risk of carrying such a high salary for a player whose contributions have been inconsistent due to injuries.

Expansion San Diego's Dilemma

The MLS expansion team, San Diego FC, now faces a critical decision. Insigne represents a high-risk, high-reward gamble. While he possesses undeniable talent and name recognition, his salary and injury history present a significant obstacle. Taking Insigne would require San Diego to absorb a substantial financial commitment, one that could impact their other roster moves and financial flexibility. However, if they believe they can manage his fitness and maximize his talent on the field, the potential upside is enormous. San Diego currently has only seven players on its roster, one of them being Hirving Lozano, a notable designated player himself, signed in June.

Toronto FC's Past Experience with Expansion Drafts

Toronto FC is not unfamiliar with making high-profile players available in expansion drafts. In 2010 and 2011, they made Julian de Guzman, the club's first designated player, available in those drafts. De Guzman's salaries were $1.72 million and $1.91 million in those years, respectively. Similar to the current situation, De Guzman's salary likely deterred other clubs from selecting him, resulting in Toronto retaining him. This precedent suggests that Toronto FC's decision to leave Insigne unprotected was a calculated risk, anticipating a similar outcome; a move based on the high probability of San Diego being deterred by his salary.

Other Players Made Available

Along with Insigne, several other Toronto FC players were made available in the draft, including Aime Mabika, Shane O'Neill, Prince Owusu, and Greg Ranjitsingh, whose 2025 options were not picked up by the club. Midfielder Cassius Mailula, currently on loan, was also on the list. Defenders Raoul Petretta and Sigurd Rosted, and Honduran international Deybi Flores, all of whom saw significant action during the 2024 season, round out the list of available players from Toronto FC.

The Unlikely Outcome: Insigne's Future

While the possibility of Insigne being selected by San Diego remains, it appears unlikely given his substantial salary and injury concerns. The US$50,000 in general allocation money that clubs receive for losing a player to the expansion draft is insignificant compared to the financial burden Insigne represents. Therefore, The most probable scenario seems to be Insigne remaining with Toronto FC, giving the team a chance to restructure his contract, or potentially trade him during the off-season. This draft has undeniably set the stage for what promises to be a fascinating off-season for Toronto FC and Insigne's future remains uncertain. The team, as it stands, will need to make changes to its roster, and it is possible that this was their intention from the start, initiating a re-organization of the club's direction. It will be an interesting season to follow for Toronto FC.