Austin FC II (ATXFC) goalkeeper Damian Las is among four netminders selected to participate in Goalie Wars at the 2023 Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Skills Challenge in Washington, D.C.
MLS NEXT Pro, the men's professional soccer league in the U.S. and Canada, affiliated with MLS, announced Las’ selection Monday for the event July 18, at Audi Field, a release said.
ATXFC II in Austin, Texas, is the reserve team of Austin FC of MLS and participates in MLS Next Pro.
"It’s an honor to be selected to participate in Goalie Wars at the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge,” Las said in the release. “I’d like to thank my coaches and teammates for their guidance and support this season. I look forward to competing and representing Austin at this unique event.”
Named Goalkeeper of the Month for March/April, Las played each minute for ATXFC II through the team’s first 16 matches, the release said.
“He has made 39 saves to go with his league-leading seven clean sheets and currently has the second highest save percentage (79.6%) among goalkeepers to appear in at least eight matches,” the release said.
The three other MLS NEXT Pro goalkeepers participating in Goalie Wars are Ben Martino of the Huntsville City FC, Xavier Valdez of Houston Dynamo 2 and Isaac Walker of Crown Legacy FC, the Rutherford County Source said.
This year's competition will be a one-on-one, single-elimination tournament, featuring three 90-second rounds, semifinal one, semifinal two and the final. Two goalkeepers will try scoring “on their opponent by throwing, kicking, or drop-kicking the ball while also trying to protect their own goal,” the release said. The winner will be the goalkeeper with the most goals at the end of the clock.
Minnesota United FC 2 goalkeeper Alec Smir won the 2022 Goalie Wars competition, the Tar Heel Blog said.
“We’re excited for Damian to compete in Goalie Wars at the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge,” Austin FC interim sporting director Sean Rubio said. “He’s a talented young goalkeeper who has grown a lot since joining Austin FC. He’s had an excellent season and we look forward to supporting him from Austin.”