The MLS SuperDraft 2025 is almost here (Friday, Dec. 20), so let's take a look at the Top 5 best SuperDraft picks in club history. There have been a lot of successful draft selections in FC Dallas' nearly 30-year history so some of these choices may be controversial for longtime observers.
5. Logan Farrington
Logan Farrington is just one season into his pro career but he makes the list thanks to an outstanding rookie campaign. Dallas traded up to 3rd overall to select the Wisconsin native in last year’s SuperDraft and the club’s top brass are very happy they did. The 23-year-old forward registered four goals and eight assists, making it the most prolific rookie season by a SuperDraft pick in FCD history (passing 2014 Rookie of the Year Tesho Akindele’s 10 goal contributions). If Farrington is able to build on his first season, there’s a good chance he can move even higher on this list.
4. Ryan Hollingshead
Although Ryan Hollingshead was drafted 20th overall by FCD 2013, he initially declined the club’s offer in order to fulfill a promise to his brother to help build a church in their hometown of Sacramento. Once the build was complete, however, Hollingshead returned to soccer and signed with FC Dallas in 2014. Since then, the versatile Hollingshead has helped the club win the Supporters’ Shield and Open Cup double in 2016 and was named MLS Humanitarian of the Year in 2017. Hollingshead moved on to LAFC in 2022 via a trade that saw fellow fullback Marco Farfan join Dallas. Although he's no longer here, Hollingshead's contributions over his eight seasons with FCD won't be forgotten.
3. Walker Zimmerman
Another product of the 2013 draft, Walker Zimmerman helped Dallas win the U.S. Open Cup and Supporters’ Shield double in 2016 alongside fellow SuperDraft products Hollingshead, Matt Hedges (more on him later) and Tesho Akindele. FC Dallas selected Zimmerman 7th overall and he went on to make 89 MLS appearances for the club over five seasons before moving to LAFC via trade. Overall, Zimmerman is a four-time All-Star, five-time Best XI selection and two-time Defender of the Year—all in addition to being capped 43 times by the United States.
2. Bobby Rhine
The iconic Bobby Rhine was drafted sixth overall in 1999 and went on to rack up 225 MLS appearances, scoring 25 goals along the way. Rhine’s versatility and tireless work ethic made him a fan favorite in Dallas over his 10-year playing career, and his dedication to the community – as both a youth coach and broadcaster – further cements him as an FC Dallas legend. The club as a whole was shaken to its core when Rhine tragically passed away in 2011 at the age of 35, but his legend will always live on in Dallas. Rhine’s jersey number, 19, is hung proudly on the north side of Toyota Stadium to honor his legacy and commemorate the contributions he made both on and off the field.
1. Matt Hedges
Defensive stalwart Matt Hedges was chosen 11th overall in 2012 and has gone to become one of FCD’s best-ever players. A three-time MLS All-Star, Hedges arguably had his best season in 2016 as he led Dallas to a cup double and was named the league’s Defender of the Year. The Indiana native even passed fellow club legend Jason Kreis for most MLS appearances in franchise history. With his impressive resume, Hedges is undoubtedly the best SuperDraft in FCD history, and one of the best MLS draft picks overall in recent years.
Honorable Mentions
Eddie Johnson - 2001, 19th overall
Clarence Goodson - 2004, 7th overall
Drew Moor - 2005, 6th overall
Dax McCarty - 2006, 6th overall
Brek Shea - 2008, 2nd overall
Zach Lloyd - 2010, 2nd overall
Tesho Akindele - 2014, 6th overall
Nkosi Tafari - 2020, 14th overall
