PHILADELPHIA ― With chanting supporters in the draft room, LAFC made Joao Moutinho the club’s first Major Soccer League SuperDraft selection.
The Generation adidas defender played just a single season at Akron, where he started in all 24 matches for the Zips. His grandfather was among the friends, coaches and family members he thanked immediately after he was drafted.
“I also want to give a special thanks to my granddad,” Moutinho said. “He really taught me the basics of soccer. Ever since I was 3 or 4 years old, we’d go in the backyard of his house and he just taught me how to pass the ball and how to receive the ball, so I will be grateful for that.”
LAFC coach Bob Bradley said Moutinho’s versatility was a selling feature.
“I think Joao is very skillful, can play some different positions and we just looked and saw a player that’s young and that really has a big upside,” Bradley said in an interview during the league’s broadcast.
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Moutinho is the second Akron player taken with the top pick in an MLS SuperDraft – the Seattle Sounders drafted former winger Steve Zakuani with the No. 1 overall pick in 2009 – and the 12th Zip to earn a Generation adidas contract.
Moutinho, 20, grew up in Sporting Lisbon’s youth academy in Portugal, the same program that produced Cristiano Ronaldo. He was the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year in 2017 and earned All-MAC first team honors.
LAFC also selected Tristan Blackmon with the No. 3 pick and continued to build its roster ahead of the club’s inaugural season.
“Tristan is a really interesting one,” Bradley said. “He’s from Las Vegas, he’s grown a lot at the University of the Pacific and we really feel that this is somebody that at the next level is going to show people that there’s a lot out there. Both for us are exciting young players that we’re looking forward to working with.”
While some speculated LAFC might trade away one of its early first-round picks, Bradley was pleased to use them.
“Our idea from the beginning is to get as many good players and as many good guys together and start going,” Bradley said. “We really want to be a team that’s all about our football. In order to do that, you’ve got to get players that you think understand the game and players that will understand the transition the transition from college soccer to professional soccer. I think with both players we feel strongly that they’ve got that ability.”