Garza eyes MLS move
Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s side picked Donny Toia with the top choice in the draft, then shipped the former Montreal Impact defender to Orlando City in exchange for the eighth overall pick in the 2017 SuperDraft. Atlanta also chose FC Dallas defender Zach Loyd, Irwin, Orlando defender Mikey Ambrose and Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Alec Kann in the draft.
Minnesota United, meanwhile, selected New York Red Bulls defender Chris Duvall in the first round before promptly trading him and general allocation money to the Impact for Johan Venegas. The club then added Houston Dynamo midfielder Collen Warner, Columbus Crew midfielder Mohammed Saied, Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Jeff Attinella and New England Revolution forward Femi Hollinger-Janzen.
“We were really pleased with what we got today,” said Minnesota coach Adrian Heath, who noted Atlanta did not pick any of his side’s targets. “Now the serious stuff starts — we’ve got to start filling this roster out proper.”
Atlanta’s decision to select two goalkeepers — Toronto starter Irwin and Kansas City backup Kann — came amid reports linking U.S. international Brad Guzan to the franchise, prompting immediate speculation that the club would trade Irwin. Later Tuesday, Toronto announced it had reacquired Irwin in exchange for defender Mark Bloom and general allocation money.
“We feel the balance we’ve got here is picks that’s going to give us help for the future and give us flexibility in those final roster spots, as well as key components obviously for Tata as he builds his team,” Atlanta president Darren Eales said on the MLS live stream on the draft.
