Callum Montgomery and John Nelson will begin preseason with FC Dallas on Jan. 21
CHICAGO – FC Dallas selected Callum Montgomery (UNC Charlotte, 4th overall) and John Nelson (UNC Chapel Hill, 10th overall) in the first round of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas, which was held today at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.
“We felt our strategy was always to pick the highest value, the highest ceiling, and if it happens to be what you need, fantastic,” FC Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez said. “These are two picks that fit into that category, they’re both players that we think will be important for the depth chart. I see that they have a mentality that they want to learn and to be students and while they’re fighting they’re going to adapt.”
Montgomery, 21, played four seasons at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. The defender started in 70 matches and scored 11 goals and seven assists for Charlotte. He was named to the United Soccer Coaches’ First Team All-American and Conference USA Defender of the Year in 2018.
Montgomery is the son of general practitioners and studied biology at Charlotte.
Nelson, 20, played two seasons with North Carolina starting in 41 matches for the Tar Heels. He was named to the 2017 All-ACC Freshman team and named to the second-team All-ACC member during his sophomore year. The Ohio-native is a Generations adidas player.
Nelson has been called up to U.S. youth national teams and competed in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.
The third and fourth rounds of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft will be held via conference call on Monday, January 14. FC Dallas holds the No. 63, 87 and 88 overall selections.
Name: Callum Montgomery
Drafted: 1st Round, No. 4 Overall
Connect with Callum:Twitter| Instagram
Position: Defender
DOB: May 14, 1997 (21)
College: UNC Charlotte
Birthplace: Nanaimo, British Columbia
Hometown: Victoria, B.C.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 185
Nationality: Canada
Name: John Nelson
Drafted: 1st Round, No. 10 Overall
Connect with John:Twitter| Instagram
Position: Defender
DOB: July 11, 1998 (20)
College: UNC Chapel Hill
Birthplace: Medina, Ohio
Hometown: Medina, Ohio
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160
Nationality: USA