FRISCO, Texas – For the second time in three years, FC Dallas traded up in the MLS SuperDraft to acquire the third overall pick, which was used to select striker Logan Farrington from Oregon State University.
It was just minutes before the 2024 SuperDraft began when Dallas announced it had traded 300K in total Generation Allocation Money (GAM), along with its natural 15th overall pick, to Inter Miami CF for the third overall selection. Two years ago, the club traded 50K GAM for Toronto FC’s third overall pick, as well as acquiring (and subsequently buying out) Toronto’s Dom Dwyer who was surplus to requirement for the Canadian club.
"We decided to trade up because we didn't think Farrington would still be there based on the players available and we didn't want to take our chances," said FC Dallas Technical Director André Zanotta. "We felt it was the right move to get a player like him, someone who scored 15 goals this season. We think he can help us as soon as next season and we're very excited to add him to our roster."
The 22-year-old Farrington was one of the most productive forwards in college soccer in 2023. A Wisconsin native, Farrington scored 15 goals and added seven assists in 21 games and was named a United Soccer Coaches All-American as well as the Pac-12 Player of the Year.Â
"It was surreal. I know a lot of players today had the same dream I did, to become a professional," Farrington told FCDallas.com. "Hearing my name called and knowing that now I'm achieving my dream of becoming a professional, it's surreal. To spend time with my family and close friends on this very special day, it means a lot to me."
Farrington has a history of scoring goals. Prior to transferring to Oregon State, he accumulated 15 goals and seven assists in 35 starts for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee over three seasons. Farrington also competed at the pre-professional level for Ventura County Fusion in USL League 2, winning Player of the Year after finishing as top scorer with 13 goals in 12 games. At the high school level, Farrington notched 113 goals and 43 assists over a four-year career for Union Grove High School in Wisconsin.
"Movement off the ball is one of the big things that makes me different from other players," Farrington said in reference to his play style. "I can run in behind, I can post up on my defender, I can come back into midfield to help get the ball. I like to dribble with the ball drive forward and be in the final third so I can have chances to do what what matters the most which is score goals."
A 6-foot-2 striker, Farrington can immediately compete for minutes up top alongside Jesús Ferreira. Ferreira, who finished as FCD’s top scorer in each of the last two seasons, performed well as a second striker alongside Ricardo Pepi in 2021. With Farrington’s inclusion, it’s possible the U.S. international could return to a similar position if head coach Nico Estévez ops to utilize a two-striker formation.
"One of the first goals is just getting acclimated and getting up to speed with the MLS quality, especially in preseason," he said."I'd love to score goals and help the team win games. That's my job. That's what I'm coming in for. In my rookie season, I want to just become the best player I can and help the team win a lot of games and win a championship."
FC Dallas went back to the Oregon State well in the second round by selecting defender Turner Humphrey 44th overall. A California native, Humphrey played one full season at UC Davis before transferring to OSU in 2022 where he was roommates with FCD's first-round pick Farrington. In all, Humphrey played 24 games for the Beavers and recorded a goal and an assist from central defense.
"We think they do really well with players at Oregon State but we watch players from all around the country," Zanotta said. "Turner was a player that stood out for us having the projection to play at the MLS level. We ranked him very high among the center backs available this year and we're happy to have gotten him at that pick."
With its third final pick in the 2024 SuperDraft, Dallas selected Mads Westergren from SMU. A 6-foot-3 defender, Westergren played 51 games, scored three goals and added five assists over three standout seasons for the Mustangs.Â
"Adding a player from SMU, it's a college that we always watch closely," Zanotta continued. "Mads was a player that we'd been looking at, he did well this season. He has good physicality, he's calm and has strong passing. When we saw he was still available it was a no-brainer to pick him because we want to see him closer playing with our players and go from there."
