AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC traded its first-round pick and grabbed a pair of collegiate standouts in Friday's MLS SuperDraft.
Austin had the No. 12 overall pick but dealt it to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for an extra international roster spot and $75,000 of general allocation money. With the No. 42 pick, Verde and Black selected North Carolina defender Riley Thomas and the club used pick No. 72 on Rhode Island winger Patrick Gryczewski.
The United Soccer Coaches named Thomas a third-team All-American and he helped lead the Tar Heels to the NCAA tournament. Thomas was also a second-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference pick, anchoring a Tar Heels backline that ranked No. 5 in scoring defense. He's also a three-time all-ACC academic team selection.
Gryczewski scored two game-winning goals in 35 appearances for the Rams across three seasons. He scored five goals and chipped in three assists in 1,945 career minutes.
Austin begins the 2025 season Feb. 22 at Q2 Stadium against Sporting Kansas City. The squad will also participate in the preseason Coachella Valley Invitational from Feb. 5-12 in Indio, California, taking on the LA Galaxy, Sporting Kansas City and Charlotte FC. The entire preseason schedule for Austin will be announced in January.
San Diego FC, MLS' newest expansion side, selected UC Santa Barbara's Manu Duah first overall.
