LAFC selected two players on Day 2 of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas.
With the 64th overall selection in the third round, the Black & Gold drafted midfielder Javi Pérez from the University of Pittsburgh; and selected midfielder Kevin Mendoza out of Liberty University with the 73rd overall selection in the fourth round.
Pérez, 22, spent the last two years at the University of Pittsburgh, starting all 35 games he appeared in. As a senior in 2018, he ranked second on the team in points (11), goals (4) and assists (3). A junior transfer from Spain, Perez was a two-time captain for the Panthers, earning USC All-South Region Third Team honors in 2018 and Second Team All-ACC in 2017-18.
Prior to Pitt, Pérez spent 15 years in the youth ranks of Spain’s La Liga club Valencia CF, serving as the team’s captain for 12 of those years, earning MVP honors at the Historics Tournament.
Mendoza spent the past four years at Liberty University, earning all-conference honors all four seasons, including first team accolades from 2016-18. A two-year captain for the Flames, Mendoza finished his collegiate career with 32 goals and 15 assists.
The 25-year-old midfielder graduated from Colegio de Bachilleres in his hometown of Mexico City, while also playing for Cruz Azul’s U-17 and U-20 squads.
TRANSACTION: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) selects midfielders Javi Pérez (64th overall) and Kevin Mendoza (73rd overall) in Day 2 of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas.
