Quick Facts
Biography
Andrew Farrell (born April 2, 1992) is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. He played collegiate soccer at the University of Louisville, where he was an All-American, and had enhanced his draft status with his performance at the MLS Combine.
Early life
Farrell was born in Louisville, but was raised in Peru from ages of five to fifteen, where his adoptive parents were Presbyterian missionaries. He played there for the Esther Grande de BentÃn (EGB) Academy and attended Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt, The American School of Lima. He later moved back to Louisville and finished high school at Atherton High School.
Career
College and amateur
Farrell moved to Louisville from Peru before his sophomore year in high school. That year, he began playing for United 1996 FC (based in Louisville), as well as Atherton High School. Soon after, Andrew made a name for himself as one of Kentucky's most talented youth players. Near the end of high school, Farrell accepted a soccer scholarship to the University of Louisville.
As a freshman at Louisville, Farrell started 5 games and appeared in 20 for the Cardinals being only one of two freshmen to break into the starting lineup. As a junior, he started in all 23 games for the Cardinals as a midfielder before moving back as a defender for the final nine games of the season. He was named to the NCAA Division I First-Team All-America and won the Big East Defensive Player of the Year Award after the Cardinals only allowed an average of 0.62 goals per game.
Farrell also spent the 2012 season in the USL Premier Development League with the Bradenton Academics and the River City Rovers.
Professional
On January 3, 2013, Farrell signed a Generation Adidas contract with the MLS, making him eligible for early entry into the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Two weeks later, he was drafted first overall in the MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution, making him the first ever no. 1 pick in club history.
On March 9, 2013, Farrell made his professional debut in the Revs 1-0 away victory over the Chicago Fire in the clubs first game of the 2013 season. He made 32 appearances for the Revolution during his rookie season.
Honors
Louisville Cardinals
- Big East Red Division Champions (2): 2010, 2012
- Big East Tournament Champions (1): 2010
Individual
- NCAA First-Team All-American (1): 2012
- Big East Defensive Player of the Year (1): 2012