University of North Carolina Athletics
Danny Garcia Signs With FC Dallas
June 26, 2013 | Men's Soccer
DALLAS - Freshman All-America Danny Garcia officially became a member of FC Dallas this week as he signed a homegrown deal with the club.
Garcia earned College Soccer News Freshman All-America honors a year ago after becoming the seventh Tar Heel to be named the ACC Freshman of the Year. Garcia tallied 14 points on four goals and six assists on the year for the Tar Heels.
"I want to thank the coaching staff, support staff and the team for helping me grow as a player on and off the field," Garcia said. "This opportunity would not have been possible without the help of UNC. I have made memories that i will cherish for the rest of my life."
The Dallas native becomes the fourth Tar Heel to sign a homegrown deal with the MLS as he joins Tyler Deric (Houston Dynamo, 2007), Alex Dixon (Houston Dynamo, 2011) and Ben Speas (Columbus Crew, 2012). The Tar Heels have also had a pair of Generation adidas signings the last two years in Enzo Martinez (2012) and Mikey Lopez (2013).
Garcia joins a pair of Tar Heels already on the FC Dallas roster in former defenders Zach Loyd and Matt Hedges who have each played a team-high 15 matches this season.
"We are glad that UNC was able to be a part of Danny's journey," head coach Carlos Somoano said. "He was a pleasure to coach and we wish him well as he transitions into professional soccer."
Since 2006 the Tar Heels have had eight first round MLS SuperDraft selections, 16 overall MLS SuperDraft selections and three MLS Supplemental Draft picks. North Carolina owns the longest active streak of first round MLS SuperDraft picks after Mikey Lopez became the sixth first round pick in the last four years.
Garcia and Lopez are representing the U.S. Men's National Team this week in Turkey as the pair are members of the U-20 World Cup squad.
The U.S. closes out group play with a June 27 match against Ghana at Kadir Has Stadium in Kayseri, Turkey, at 10:45 a.m. ET, live on ESPNU and WatchESPN.
