In a tactical maneuver to amplify their roster and financial flexibility, Austin FC played their cards right during the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, as reported by KXAN. The club waved goodbye to its original fifth overall pick, Washington Huskies defender Nate Jones, in a trade to Colorado for a cool $250,000 in general allocation money. This strategic pot of gold can be used to cushion a player's salary cap impact.
The shuffling didn't stop there as Austin FC subsequently dealt their 34th pick along with Jones in exchange for Colorado's 31st pick. This reshuffling dance landed them the midfield maestro Bryant Farkarlun from UT-Rio Grande Valley, a Liberian player who made a splash in his single season for the Vaqueros by bagging five goals. Before that, the man racked up 17 goals and eight assists during his time at Houston Christian, as confirmed by the Austin American Statesman. It's moves like this that turn heads and fuel the ongoing poker game of soccer acquisitions.
This bucks wallet-booster gives Austin FC a leg up to chase MLS free agents or tempt players from foreign shores once the international transfer window throws open its doors come January 1st. The club's draft history is a mixed bag, with an occasional gem like Dani Pereira, snagged as the supreme top pick in 2021, who's proven his mettle as a steadfast defensive midfielder. Last year's pickup, CJ Fodrey, has shown flashes of brilliance, though he's still getting his boots dirty in the developmental league MLS Next Pro on Austin FC II, hardly the stuff of legend, yet.
Austin FC's draft-day waltz hasn't always been rosier. Their 2022 number six pick was ousted after a contract decline and later traded to Cincinnati for a third-round pick, as Austin American Statesman sleuthing reveals.
The MLS is a constantly spinning roulette wheel of talent and tactics, and Austin FC's latest draft antics have some fans hoping they've placed their bets on a winning number with Farkarlun. Only time will tell if these draft moves are the trump cards the team needs to build upon their competitive edge in the league.
