Option declined following 2016 season.
A versatile midfielder who can slot into a number of different positional roles, Michael Farfan’s proven his versatility many times over in the course of his MLS career. Farfan has mostly served as a shuttler or a pure holding midfielder in his time with three different MLS clubs, but as a role player he can also serve capably in a wide position. Notably, Farfan scored his first MLS goal in his first ever appearance with Philadelphia.
INTERNATIONAL: Farfan has never appeared for the full national team, but he does have youth experience. In the 2003-2005 U17 cycle, he played under future Union coach John Hackworth with the U17 residency squad and ultimately made the final roster for the 2005 U17 World Cup.
OUTSIDE MLS: Since turning pro in 2011 with the Union, Farfan’s only played 12 minutes outside MLS, but they were worth remembering. He was sold on to Cruz Azul in 2014, and he scored a goal on his debut in a brief substitute stint. Six months later, he was released from his contract without appearing in a first team Liga MX match again.
COLLEGE: Farfan began his college career with Cal State Fullerton before finishing with back-to-back successful seasons at North Carolina in 2009 and 2010. In keeping with his fast-impact reputation, three of his five career goals with the Tar Heels came in his first four games.
