Michigan State’s Farai Mutatu Drafted by LA Galaxy in MLS SuperDraft
1/11/2022 7:09:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Former Spartan selected with 21st pick in the first round.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Former Michigan State forward Farai Mutatu was drafted in the first round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft Tuesday, taken as the 21st overall pick by the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Born in Zimbabwe, Mutatu's family moved to Haslett in 2006, before his parents had to return to their native country in 2014, and Mutatu hasn't seen his parents, Jane and Washington Mutatu, since they moved back.
The Galaxy had special surprise guests make the selection announced, with Mutatu's parents making the announcement from Zimbabwe via video.
"Anyone who has followed his story knows that he has had to endure adversity over these last seven years," Rensing said. "Seeing his parents announce the draft pick to LA was a special moment. Through this adversity, Farai has never complained, he has simply come to training and school with a positive attitude and a hard-working mentality."
The announcement of the selection sparked a Mutatu family celebration in both Zimbabwe and Michigan, where Farai was watching the draft with his siblings, other family member and friends.
"There's a lot of emotion, I'm so grateful, and feel extremely blessed to be given this opportunity, and thank you LA Galaxy for believing in me and giving me this opportunity, I'm just so grateful" Mutatu said in a post-draft interview with Susannah Collins of the MLS. "Seeing my parents on the call and announced that call, honestly, I couldn't have imagined it to be any better. It's a dream come true. I just wanted to first and foremost give all glory and honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I wouldn't be here without him. I thank my family and all my friends, my teammates and my coaches that have helped me get here. I'm just really grateful and excited to get going."
Michigan State continued its long tradition of success in the MLS draft. The Spartans have now had players drafted for five-straight seasons. Mutatu was one of three Big Ten Conference players drafted in the first round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
"I just have to thank God, He's always had a plan for me and just to see it play out in the way it has, I just have to give all glory to Him, and I'm so grateful for the people that have been part of my journey. My family, my people in my hometown back home, and to the people that I've grown up here with in my hometown of Haslett, Michigan, to all my early youth coaches, and all the way from Wolves Academy, and to Michigan State, it's just crazy just to be here and I'm really grateful that I get to share this moment with my family and my friends. It's definitely a moment I will remember forever," Mutatu said.
Last season, Giuseppe Barone was drafted in the third round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft, taken as the 63rd overall pick by the Club de Football Montréal.
In 2020, MSU had two players taken on the first day of the draft. Patrick Nielsen was the 23rd overall pick, drafted by Atlanta United. Michael Wetungu was the 46th overall pick, taken in the second round by Real Salt Lake. In 2019, the Spartans had two players drafted in the first round in forwards DeJuan Jones (11th pick - New England Revolution) and Ryan Sierakowski (23rd pick - Portland Timbers). Goalkeeper Jimmy Hague was the sixth pick of the second round (30th overall), taken by FC Cincinnati.
In 2018, Ken Krolicki was the first Spartan drafted since defender Zach Carroll in 2016 when he was chosen as the 53rd overall pick, chosen as the seventh player in the third round. In 2014, three Spartans signed to play for MLS with Fatai Alashe being chosen fourth overall, the highest ever for MSU. Jay Chapman a signed a homegrown contract with Toronto FC, while Adam Montague was taken in the third round by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
"I am so happy for Farai, his family, and the MSU soccer program. Certainly the LA Galaxy are getting a very good soccer player who, in my opinion, is one of the most pro-ready players in the draft. They are also getting a captain, leader, and most importantly just a very good teammate" MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "The entire MSU soccer family wishes him well and we look forward to following his pro career."
Mutatu, who hails from Haslett, Michigan, finished the season fifth in the Big Ten in goals scored with seven. He was also fourth in the league in points per game, averaging 1.00 ppg. Mutatu was one of just five Spartans to start all 17 games. His biggest highlight of the season was a hat trick in a come-from-behind 4-3 win against Notre Dame on Sept. 14. As a senior, he captured All-Big Ten first team honors.
From EL to LA!!
— MSU Men's Soccer (@MSUmsoccer) January 11, 2022
Congrats Farai!!!#GoGreen https://t.co/UtBHU1X4sH
Mutatu, who hails from Haslett, Michigan, finished the season fifth in the Big Ten in goals scored with seven. He was also fourth in the league in points per game, averaging 1.00 ppg. Mutatu was one of just five Spartans to start all 17 games. His biggest highlight of the season was a hat trick in a come-from-behind 4-3 win against Notre Dame on Sept. 14. As a senior, he captured All-Big Ten first team honors.
Born in Zimbabwe, Mutatu's family moved to Haslett in 2006, before his parents had to return to their native country in 2014, and Mutatu hasn't seen his parents, Jane and Washington Mutatu, since they moved back.
.@faraimutatu's journey to MSU is AMAZING. Thanks to @spartan_vision for helping us share his story! ⚽ #GoGreen
— MSU Men's Soccer (@MSUmsoccer) November 13, 2019
👇https://t.co/lguAwGYcVg
The Galaxy had special surprise guests make the selection announced, with Mutatu's parents making the announcement from Zimbabwe via video.
"Anyone who has followed his story knows that he has had to endure adversity over these last seven years," Rensing said. "Seeing his parents announce the draft pick to LA was a special moment. Through this adversity, Farai has never complained, he has simply come to training and school with a positive attitude and a hard-working mentality."
The announcement of the selection sparked a Mutatu family celebration in both Zimbabwe and Michigan, where Farai was watching the draft with his siblings, other family member and friends.
"There's a lot of emotion, I'm so grateful, and feel extremely blessed to be given this opportunity, and thank you LA Galaxy for believing in me and giving me this opportunity, I'm just so grateful" Mutatu said in a post-draft interview with Susannah Collins of the MLS. "Seeing my parents on the call and announced that call, honestly, I couldn't have imagined it to be any better. It's a dream come true. I just wanted to first and foremost give all glory and honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I wouldn't be here without him. I thank my family and all my friends, my teammates and my coaches that have helped me get here. I'm just really grateful and excited to get going."
Agreed!!!🥰😊
— MSU Men's Soccer (@MSUmsoccer) January 11, 2022
From Zimbabwe to MSU and now on to LA!! @FaraiMutatu and the Mutatu family are now part of the @LAGalaxy family!! Thank you for sharing Farai with us!!#GoGreen https://t.co/PWSNm5qeCZ
Michigan State continued its long tradition of success in the MLS draft. The Spartans have now had players drafted for five-straight seasons. Mutatu was one of three Big Ten Conference players drafted in the first round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
"I just have to thank God, He's always had a plan for me and just to see it play out in the way it has, I just have to give all glory to Him, and I'm so grateful for the people that have been part of my journey. My family, my people in my hometown back home, and to the people that I've grown up here with in my hometown of Haslett, Michigan, to all my early youth coaches, and all the way from Wolves Academy, and to Michigan State, it's just crazy just to be here and I'm really grateful that I get to share this moment with my family and my friends. It's definitely a moment I will remember forever," Mutatu said.
"This is a dream come true"
— MSU Men's Soccer (@MSUmsoccer) January 11, 2022
Hear from the newest member of the @LAGalaxy, @FaraiMutatu w/ his post @MLS #SuperDraft interview with @susannahcollins!#GoGreen https://t.co/cUh6431EZl
Last season, Giuseppe Barone was drafted in the third round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft, taken as the 63rd overall pick by the Club de Football Montréal.
In 2020, MSU had two players taken on the first day of the draft. Patrick Nielsen was the 23rd overall pick, drafted by Atlanta United. Michael Wetungu was the 46th overall pick, taken in the second round by Real Salt Lake. In 2019, the Spartans had two players drafted in the first round in forwards DeJuan Jones (11th pick - New England Revolution) and Ryan Sierakowski (23rd pick - Portland Timbers). Goalkeeper Jimmy Hague was the sixth pick of the second round (30th overall), taken by FC Cincinnati.
In 2018, Ken Krolicki was the first Spartan drafted since defender Zach Carroll in 2016 when he was chosen as the 53rd overall pick, chosen as the seventh player in the third round. In 2014, three Spartans signed to play for MLS with Fatai Alashe being chosen fourth overall, the highest ever for MSU. Jay Chapman a signed a homegrown contract with Toronto FC, while Adam Montague was taken in the third round by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
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