Revs Take Farrell with First Pick
- Updated: January 17, 2013
There’s no debating that the New England Revolution got their man on Thursday.
After nabbing the first overall pick from Toronto for the fourth spot and allocation money, the Revolution selected Louisville defender and Generation adidas prospect Andrew Farrell.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity to play in this great league,” Farrell told ESPN following his selection. “I’m excited about the opportunity.”
Farrell scored four goals and collected one assist in 21 games for Louisville in 2012. He featured at defensive midfield for much of the season before moving to the backline for the final nine games of the season. He earned 2012 Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year and was the consensus first pick according to a number of publications.
Despite what some categorized as a “disappointing” showing at the MLS Combine, published scouting reports have pinned him as a potential First Kick starter.
Should the Revolution assign the 5-11, 165lbs prospect to the back line, he’ll immediately be counted upon to strengthen a unit that experienced considerable struggles last season.
The 20-year-old defender can play at center back or right back, one of many traits that surely ingratiated himself with the Revolution coaching staff before they made the move to trade up for the first overall pick.
“When I met with New England, they talked about me about playing right back as well as center back,” Farrell said. “We’ll see how it goes. I’m excited to meet the veteran guys there and learn from them and see what the coaching staff has in store for me.”
Additionally, his ability to win aerial battles should also improve the club’s dismal form on set pieces.
At the first spot, Farrell is the highest draft pick ever taken in Revolution history. The team’s prior high pick was forward Taylor Twellman, who was taken second overall in 2002.
Twellman went on score a club-record 101 career goals in his nine-year MLS career, all of which were spent in Foxboro.
Related Posts
About Brian O'Connell
One Comment