LAFC added a pair of defenders with two first round picks in Friday’s Superdraft
By Ivan Yeo
Having possessed two of the top three picks in the MLS Superdraft, LAFC used the opportunity to shore up its backline.
LAFC took Akron’s Joao Moutinho with the first pick, then acquired the third pick from DC United in exchange for $100,000 in General Allocation Money and another $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money. LAFC then used the pick on another defender, Tristan Blackmon from the Pacific Tigers.
“Today was a special day for our Club,” said LAFC Head Coach Bob Bradley. “I think we got some young guys that are excited to be in L.A. and have a lot of talent. For me, it feels great that we are getting closer and closer to getting on the field, starting the season and eventually getting into our Banc of California Stadium.”
Moutinho came to national powerhouse Akron from Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon U-19 team before heading to Ohio, where he established himself as one of the nation’s top defenders. Moutinho scored three goals and had five assists and was a first-team All-American and Freshman of the year. Moutinho was part of a Sips backlien that posted 12 shutouts during the 2017 NCAA season.
“We felt Joao was the top player in the draft,” LAFC General Manager and Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations John Thorrington said. “He’s an intelligent player with great ability and is a great fit for the type of team we are building. We are proud to welcome Joao to the club as the first SuperDraft selection in LAFC history.”
Blackmon comes to LAFC after four brilliant years at the University of the Pacific. Blackmon was the 2017 West Coast Conference Defender of the Year and over the course of four years in Stockton, Bkaclmon saw action in 70 matches (68 starts), recording 16 goals and nine assists. He led the Tigers to consecutive NCAA bids in 2016 and 2017 and was named All-WCC three times during his career.
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