HAMILTON – Colgate Men's Soccer has a new professional team to root for after Jared Stroud '18 was selected by Austin FC in Tuesday's Major League Soccer Expansion Draft.
 
Austin FC, in its inaugural season, continued its roster-building with five selections from a limited list of players across the league. Stroud was taken with the club's No. 2 pick after making 21 appearances and recording three assists in his rookie season for the New York Red Bulls.
 
"It was kind of like getting drafted all over again," Stroud said in a statement. A native of Chester, New Jersey, the move to the Lone Star State will be a big one for the former Colgate standout. "My family's here, but at the same time, I'm excited for the new challenge in a new city."
 
Professional Career
Stroud has had quite the professional career since graduating from Colgate as the all-time assists leader. He was selected as the No. 83 overall pick by the New York Red Bulls in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, where he went on to play two seasons in the United Soccer League (USL) for the Red Bulls II.
 
In 2019, Stroud was named to the USL Championship All-League First Team after tallying 39 points in 34 matches. His 15 goals matched the single-season record and 39 points were the most by a NYRBII player in a season. He became the only Red Bulls II player to record 20 goals and 20 assists in a career.
 
Stroud then signed a contract with the Red Bulls in January. He made 11 starts and added three assists, including one in the club's playoff match against Columbus, during his first season with the MLS squad.
 
Prolific Colgate Career
A native of Chester, New Jersey, Stroud finished a prolific Raider career with 10 goals and a school-record 30 assists for 50 total points. He was a three-time All-Patriot League pick and two-time All-Region selection. His 13 goals during his senior season set a program record and helped lead the Raiders to their first-ever NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance.
 
Quotes from Austin FC
"He was one right away when we saw the expansion list come out, we highlighted as someone who could add so much to our team," Austin FC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna said in a release.
 
"He's a really motivated young player with a lot of potential. He's a player who just started and got his first opportunity this year, in my opinion probably later than he deserved. He should've been playing before in this league."