Austin FC selected Virginia Tech midfielder Daniel Pereira with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.

Pereira is projected as a box-to-box midfielder who should provide some depth in midfield alongside Alex Ring.

The pick was something of a surprise given that most mock drafts had Clemson midfielder Philip Mayaka going No. 1, but Pereira was the choice for Austin.

"I wasn't really expecting to be No. 1 because of all the mock drafts," said Pereira afterwards. "It's an honor. I'm really happy. My family is crying. It's a moment I'll never forget."