When the MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas rolls around each year, one great joy is scanning the draft-eligible player list for possible entries to the league’s all-name list. Consider it a unique piece of Major League Soccer culture, a wrinkle that’s embedded in the game’s offseason on these shores.
So when that ritual commenced before the 2021 SuperDraft, glancing eyes quickly caught sight of Danny Trejo, a Cal State Northridge forward. Wait, as in the Danny Trejo of Machete fame and Hollywood films? Not quite, though that didn’t stop LAFC from executing some quick thinking after picking Trejo, the 2019 Big West Offensive Player of the Year.
The Black & Gold caught wind of the social media chatter and got the 76-year-old Trejo to offer some words of encouragement to his namesake. Trejo, the No. 14 overall pick, even chimed back with a fantastic machete reference of his own.
“From one Danny Trejo to another, let’s see what you got homes,” the elder Trejo said. “Congrats on being selected in the MLS SuperDraft. Welcome to the Black & Gold, and, hey, now all my fans have just become your fans. Danny Trejo’s cool.”
Will the 22-year-old California native celebrate like Machete if he scores for LAFC? To be determined on that front, as he still has to sign an MLS contract. But for the time being, this Trejo virtual linkup goes down in SuperDraft lore.
