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MLS SuperDraft: FC Dallas Lands Jacori Hayes, Adds Depth on Day One

FC Dallas Lands Jacori Hayes, a central midfielder from Wake Forest University with the 18th overall pick of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

FC Dallas selected central midfielder Jacori Hayes with the 18th overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. Hayes spent four years at Wake Forest University and paired with Ian Harkes in a dynamic Demon Deacons midfield that made it to the final of the 2016 NCAA College Cup. He scored a team high eight goals in his senior season, helping Wake to an ACC Conference Championship and earning Hayes first team All American honors.

MLS SuperDraft: FC Dallas Lands Jacori Hayes, Adds Depth on Day One

Hayes is a versatile but slightly undersized midfielder at 5’7” and 150 pounds. As of last week, he was ranked as the seventh best draft pick by Top Drawer Soccer. He didn’t have a great Combine though and fell in Friday’s draft. The Bowie, MD native represents good value for FC Dallas at the 18th position.

Hayes, a physics major, is gifted both physically and academically, winning the 2016 CLASS award for the most outstanding senior student athlete in men’s division I college soccer. He comes from a military family, is very well spoken, and claims Andres Iniésta as his soccer idol.

Prior to the draft, technical director Fernando Clavijo and owner Mark Hunt stated that it was “probable” that FC Dallas would make a deal in order to move to a higher position in the draft. That didn’t happen. Instead, they waited until their assigned pick and took the best player available.

FC Dallas entered the draft targeting defensive depth and they got it with their second pick. They selected towering 6’5” center back Walker Hume from the University of North Carolina with the 37th overall pick.

Hume is an Austin, TX, native and fits right in with Matt Hedges and Walker Zimmerman, who both measure in at over 6’3”. He has a twin brother and the pair of Humes played together for the PDL’s Austin Aztex, winning the league championship in 2013.

Clavijo had one more Day One day pick to use, and spent it on 17-year-old forward Adonijah Reid, the first Generation Adidas Canada player ever selected. Reid, a Brompton, Ontario native, is described as a raw talent and versatile attacker that can lead the line, play behind a lead striker, or play on the wing. The selection is a calculated gamble that could pay big dividends if Reid develops on his current trajectory. It also fits with Óscar Pareja’s propensity for developing youth talent.

FC Dallas’s day one draft can be described as opportunistic. They addressed areas of need, but let the talent available at their lower draft positions drive the decision making. All three selections face a tough road ahead to find a spot on an young, talented and deep FC Dallas roster.

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