Admittedly, FC Dallas technical director Barry Gorman knew it was unlikely he would fill his clubās biggest need for a forward in Thursday's SuperDraft. However, he's satisfied with the depth the reigning Western Conference champions added with their three picks.
āWeāre all pleased,ā Gorman told MLSsoccer.com by phone. āWe were looking to add some intelligent players and I think weāve done that.ā
In the first round, FCD took Stanford defender Bobby Warshaw 17th overall ā the second straight year the club has taken a defensive player with their first pick. In the 2010 draft, the club took North Carolina product Zach Loyd fifth overall. He appeared in 24 games for FCD as a rookie, seeing time at both center and right back.
āI got a chance to see [Warshaw] play three times,ā Gorman said. āWe like the fact that heās always looking for the ball. Heās composed. Heās one of those guys that other players like because he doesnāt hide in the game.ā
During his time with the Cardinal, Warshaw, a three-time All-Pac 10 Conference performer, started out at forward. Then he switched to holding mid before playing center back his final two years. That versatility was a pretty strong selling point for his new club.
WATCH: Warshaw highlights
[inline_node:326555]āI think he fills a need,ā Gorman said. āWe could look at him as a center back. We could look at him also as a holding midfielder. Heās a tough kid.ā
Warshaw is clearly excited about meeting his new teammates and kicking off his professional career.
āIām so happy to come to Dallas," he said. "Iāll be coming to a good team that plays good soccer and played for a championship. I couldnāt be happier right now.ā
With their second pick, FCD went with Louisville midfielder Charlie Campbell, another player the Dallas technical director and the coaching staff knew very well.
āHeās another one of these players that we liked,ā Gorman said. āHeās coming out of a good program and can play that right back position or he can play that right midfield position. I know the coach well at Louisville, so I know heās had some very good coaching there.ā
And with their final pick, FCD took Scott Gordon, a defender out of Lynn University.
āGordon is very athletic, strong. Heās fast and heās going to be a player that we think can develop,ā Gorman said.
āWeāre still looking for a striker,ā Gorman added. āThese three picks give us added depth. This is pretty good.ā
This year's draft marked Gormanās first since being hired as the clubās technical director last spring. FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman missed the event because he was in Ohio after a death in the family earlier in the week.