FRISCO, Texas (January 11, 2022) – FC Dallas selected Isaiah Parker (3rd overall, Saint Louis University), Lucas Bartlett (6th overall, St. John’s University) and Katlego “Tsiki” Ntsabeleng (28th overall, Oregon State University) in the first round, Alec Smir (62nd overall, University of North Carolina), Chase Niece (66th overall, Saint Louis University) and Holland Rula (87th overall, Wake Forest University) in the third round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas on January 11.
Parker, 19, appeared in 21 matches, including 17 starts, at Saint Louis University. He tallied three goals and seven assists in 1,230 minutes played. Parker was named to the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie team, Top Drawer Soccer First-Team Freshman Best XI team and ranked No. 2 on Top Drawer Soccer’s Midseason Men’s Top 100 Freshmen list. Parker played in the FC United Academy for five years and helped FC United U-17 and U-19 Academy teams to Development Academy and MLS Next playoffs. The Gurnee, Illinois native is a Generations adidas player.
Bartlett, 24, appeared in 20 matches at St. John’s University, where he scored five goals and recorded three assists. Prior to St. John’s, Bartlett played 31 matches at Drake University between the 2018-21 seasons and 17 matches at Loyola Chicago. While at St. John’s University, he was named to the First Team All-BIG EAST and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Region. He was one of 44 players nationwide to be invited to the MLS College Showcase.
Ntsabeleng, 23, played in 31 matches for Oregon State University. He scored six goals and recorded 12 assists. He was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team and All-Far West Region First Team during the 2021 season. He is a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference honoree during his time with Coastal Carolina and was named 2018 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year. Ntsabeleng helped Coastal Carolina win the Sun Belt Conference in 2019. He played for the Stars of Africa Football Academy and UJ Club. FC Dallas acquired New York City FC’s 2022 MLS SuperDraft natural first round draft pick (28th overall) in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money and FC Dallas’ natural second round draft pick (34th overall).
Smir, 22, appeared in 66 matches in goal for the University of North Carolina. He recorded a 0.83 goals against average, made 131 saves and had a 70.1 saves percentage. He posted a 21-8-6 record and 13 shutouts in four seasons with North Carolina. Smir earned Second-Team All-ACC honors and led the ACC with 10 shutouts and a 0.57 GAA. He was the NC Fusion Academy goalkeeper for the U-14, U-16 and U-18 teams from 2013-16. He was called up to a U.S. Men’s National Team U-18 training camp in January 2017 and previously attended USYNT camps in 2015 and 2016.
Niece, 23, played in 63 matches for Saint Louis University’s backline. He scored six goals and added two assists in 2,130 minutes played for the Billikens. He helped anchored a backline to a 16-1-4 record, an undefeated regular season, an Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament titles, and an NCAA quarterfinal appearance. He played for the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Academy in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and appeared in over 80 matches during his four-year academy career.
Rula, 23, appeared in 75 matches for the Wake Forest Deacons backline. He went to Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas and was part of the FC Dallas Academy. He appeared in 18 matches, including 11 starts, during the 2017-18 season and played alongside current FC Dallas midfielder Brandon Servania. Rula also spent two seasons at IMG Academy.
Name: Isaiah Parker
Drafted: 1st Round, No. 3 Overall
Connect with Isaiah: Instagram
Position: Winger
Date of Birth: September 1, 2002 (19)
College: Saint Louis University
Hometown: Gurnee, Illinois
Height: 5-8
Weight: 160
Nationality: USA
Name: Lucas Bartlett
Drafted: 1st Round, No. 6 Overall
Connect with Lucas: Twitter
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: July 26, 1997 (24)
College: St. John’s University
Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas
Height: 6-3
Weight: 200
Nationality: USA
Name: Tsiki Ntsabeleng
Pronunciation: SEE-KEE SA-beh-leng
Connect with Tsiki: Instagram
Drafted: 1st Round, No. 28 Overall
Position: Forward
Date of Birth: September 2, 1998 (23)
College: Oregon State University
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa
Height: 5-7
Weight: 160
Nationality: South Africa
Name: Alec Smir
Drafted: 3rd Round, No. 62 Overall
Connect with Alec: Twitter
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: April 13, 1999 (22)
College: University of North Carolina
Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
Nationality: USA
Name: Chase Niece
Drafted: 3rd Round, No. 66 Overall
Connect with Chase: Twitter
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: October 28, 1998 (23)
College: Saint Louis University
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180
Nationality: USA
Name: Holland Rula
Drafted: 3rd Round, No. 87 Overall
Connect with Holland: Twitter
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: May 15, 1999 (23)
College: Wake Forest University
Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175
Nationality: USA
Transaction:
FC Dallas acquires New York City FC’s 2022 MLS SuperDraft natural first round draft pick (28th overall) in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money and FC Dallas’ natural second round draft pick (34th overall).
