Ahead of their 2021 inaugural season, Austin FC continue their roster-building with the Expansion Draft.
Austin made five selections from the list of unprotected players revealed on Monday. Per draft rules, no MLS club can lose more than one player in the draft.
Ten MLS teams — New York City FC, FC Cincinnati, Los Angeles Football Club, Columbus Crew SC, Seattle Sounders FC, Minnesota United FC, Portland Timbers, New England Revolution, Atlanta United, and Sporting Kansas City— were exempt after seeing players taken in last year's Expansion Draft by Nashville SC or Inter Miami.
1. Danny Hoesen
Forward — Age: 29 — Drafted from San Jose Earthquakes
Austin's first selection at the Expansion Draft is Dutch forward Danny Hoesen.
Hoesen has 23 goals and 12 assists in 104 MLS appearances (64 starts) with San Jose. He struggled in 2020, though, with just three starts in Quakes' 23 matches.
"With a fresh start ... we think he'll bounce back," sporting director Claudio Reyna told Andrew Wiebe and co. on the broadcast.
Hoesen's best season in the league was 2018 when he had 12 goals and four assists while appearing in all 34 of San Jose's matches. He has had a globetrotting career, with stints in the Netherlands, England, Finland and Greece before heading to MLS.
2. Jared Stroud
Midfielder — Age: 24 — Drafted from New York Red Bulls
With their second pick, Austin selected midfielder Jared Stroud, a player who graduated from RBNY II to earn an MLS contract last year. He made 20 appearances (11 starts) in his first season with the Red Bulls.
The Colgate University product had 22 goals and 20 assists in 64 USL Championship appearances. He is an attacking midfielder, comfortable to play on either wing.
3. Brady Scott
Goalkeeper — Age: 21 — Drafted from Nashville SC
A US youth international with big upside, goalkeeper Brady Scott was Austin's third pick.
Although the 21-year-old didn't make his debut with Nashville after signing over the summer following time in Europe, Scott started some games for the United States at the 2019 U-20 World Cup. He won the Golden Glove at the U-20 Concacaf Championship in 2018, leading the United States to the title.
Scott was previously with FC Koln in Germany and made 29 appearances for the club’s second team. He was generally around the first team, though never made his Bundesliga debut before his contract expired.
4. Joe Corona
Midfielder — Age: 30 — Drafted from LA Galaxy
A former US international, Corona is heading to Austin.
The midfielder joins from the LA Galaxy after 47 appearances in two seasons. He can play both in a box-to-box role and as a deeper option. Prior to coming to the Galaxy, Corona began his career south of the border with Club Tijuana in Liga MX. He made 195 appearances for the club.
Austin head coach Josh Wolff said he liked how Corona's ball-playing ability will fit in the team's desired playing style.
5. Kamal Miller
Defender — Age: 23 — Drafted from Orlando City SC
TRADED TO MONTREAL IMPACT $225,000 GAM AND NO. 11 SELECTION IN 2021 MLS SUPERDRAFT
A Canadian international, Miller is already an experienced player despite just two seasons as a pro. But he won't be sticking around in Austin.
The Montreal Impact have acquired Miller in exchange for $225,000 in General Allocation Money and the No. 11 selection at the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.
With Orlando, Miller made 28 appearances. He can play both left back and center back.
“We are happy with the acquisition of this young Canadian international, who had a great 2020 season," Montreal sporting director Olivier Renard said in a club statement. "Kamal is a left-footed defender with a different style than what we already have at this position.”
