Pereira goes No. 1, Strickler No. 30 in MLS SuperDraftPereira goes No. 1, Strickler No. 30 in MLS SuperDraft
Men's Soccer

Pereira goes No. 1, Strickler No. 30 in MLS SuperDraft

BLACKSBURG — The Virginia Tech men's soccer team has three players – Daniel Pereira, Kristo Strickler, and Mathijs Swaneveld – eligible for the MLS SuperDraft 2021 on Thursday. And, so far, two have been selected in the draft, with Pereira going No. 1 to Austin FC and Strickler going No. 30 to Houston.

Pereira becomes the first-ever Tech men's soccer player to go first overall and joins Tech football's Michael Vick and Bruce Smith to go No. 1 in a professional draft.
 
Pereira, a midfielder from Roanoke, Va., recorded six goals and six assists in two years with the Hokies. The sophomore signed a Generation adidas deal last week, joining Patrick Nyarko as the only other Tech player to receive the elusive honor.
 
Strickler, a senior from Hilliard, Oh., scored 27 goals and provided nine assists in four seasons with the Hokies. In 2018, Strickler was named second team All-ACC and to the VaSID First Team.
 
Swaneveld, a senior from Schoonhoven, Neth., has started in all 45 appearances he's made for the Hokies. In 2018, the keeper was named third team All-ACC.
 
In the last 15 years, Tech has placed seven players into the MLS via the draft, including two first round picks – Patrick Nyarko (2008) and Ben Lundgaard (2018).
 
The first round of the draft will be streamed live on MLSsoccer.com, the MLS App, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pluto TV.