The 2021 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas is underway, and the Austin FC expansion team began proceedings on Thursday by selecting the adidas generation and Virginia Tech midfielder Daniel Pereira with general election no.
The move came to a head, as Clemson midfielder Philip Mayaka was named by many as the best eligible SuperDraft player. But Pereira is an intriguing, independent prospect who imposes himself as a skilled midfielder with a few dynamic features in attack during his Hokies career.
During his two seasons at Virginia Tech, Pereira scored six goals and six assists in 26 games. He helped Virginia Tech finish in the fall 2020 college football season in 4th place in the United Soccer Coaches poll, setting a 3-1-2 record.
FC Cincinnati followed Austin by selecting Wake Forest striker Calvin Harris in 2nd place, followed by Mayaka in 3rd place by Colorado Rapids. Another Clemson product came in 4th when DC United took over Kimarni Smith.
DC completed the top five, winning the next pick in a deal with Atlanta United, using him to select Wake Forest defender Michael DeShields.
Austin continues to build
Austin FC spent the off-season bringing together MLS-proven players and promising internationals and have now injected a few youngsters into the club with Thursday’s selections. Sports director Claudio Reyna and his team also reached number 11 in the overall standings due to the transaction with CF Montreal, which they used the defender Freddy Kleeman of the University of Washington. They ended it with the general selection no. 21, which they purchased from Rapids by taking Duke back to Aedan Stanley.
Time will tell how much the first tournaments play this season, but it is a historic day for Austin as the long-awaited expansion season approaches. Of course, there is some hype behind Pereira that is also in 1st place.
The rapids make a splash
Colorado was not initially in the first five picks, however it climbed to 3rd place in a preliminary deal with Houston Dynamo FC and selected Mayaka. The Clemson product was a semifinalist for the 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy, a second-team American and his college coach Mike Noonan called him “the most trained MLS player I’ve coached since I was at Clemson.” .
The Rapids will hope that this is true and Mayaka is really ready to compete for the first team minutes immediately. He projects as number 6, although he may occupy a few different positions.
For the latest options, check out the MLSsoccer.com Draft Tracker.