Virginia Tech star Daniel Pereira goes No. 1 overall in MLS SuperDraft

BLACKSBURG — History was made within the Virginia Tech men’s soccer program on Thursday when Daniel Pereira was selected by Austin FC as the No. 1 overall pick and Kristo Strickler was selected No. 30 by Houston Dynamo FC in the MLS SuperDraft.

Daniel Pereira, a midfielder from Roanoke, Virginia, became the first No. 1 pick in program history and only the third Virginia Tech student-athlete to be selected first in a professional sports draft, joining Michael Vick and Bruce Smith.

Pereira was part of the 2021 Generation adidas class, joining Patrick Nyarko as the only other Hokie to receive the honor. Nyarko was selected with the seventh pick in the 2008 MLS Draft.

Pereira is Austin FC’s first pick in franchise history as the club approaches its inaugural playing season in 2021.

"It's an honor and a moment I'll never forget."

Chatting with @AustinFC's #1 overall pick @danipereira121! #SuperDraft pic.twitter.com/iLmYDj5xyU

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 21, 2021

An underrated recruit, Pereira established himself as a day one starter in Blacksburg. In 27 games across two seasons, he scored six goals and recorded six assists in competition. In 2019, Pereira was named to the ACC All-Freshman team.

Kristo Strickler, a midfielder from Hilliard, Ohio, was selected with the third pick in the second round of the draft (No. 30 overall). A four-year starter for Tech, Strickler’s versatility has led him to various honors, including being named to the VaSID First Team in 2018 and second team All-ACC in both 2018 and 2019.

With 27 career goals, Strickler is ninth all-time in program history for goals scored.

Today’s draft marks only the second time two Hokies have been selected in the same MLS SuperDraft (2008) and the first instance of two players picked in the first two rounds.