FC Dallas Adds Forward Tesho Akindele in 2014 MLS SuperDraft,, Gains International Slot in Draft Day Deals

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FC Dallas selected forward Tesho Akindele with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas.

FC Dallas originally held the fifth overall pick, and initially traded that pick to Montreal in exchange for the Impact's 10^th overall selection, a 2014 international roster spot and allocation money. Immediately after making that deal, FC Dallas sent allocation money and the 10^th overall selection to Philadelphia to move back up in the draft order to the sixth overall selection where the club snagged Akindele. 

"We're excited," said FC Dallas Technical Director Fernando Clavijo. "Tesho is a great addition to our team. He is someone who can play up top or out wide. He's an intelligent, attacking player who is very physical. He likes to work on both sides of the ball. He is young with a huge ceiling and he likes to take people on one-on-one. He comes from a school where his coach likes his players to work extremely hard. We're never going to have to tell him that he needs to work harder off the ball."

A native of Thornton, Colo., Akindele played four seasons for the Colorado School of Mines where the 6'1" forward became the school's all-time goals leader with 76 goals scored. He ranked second in the nation in goals scored in 2012 with 22 and was named a First Team NSCAA All-American and the 2012 RMAC Offensive Player of the Year for his efforts. Also an NSCAA First Team All-American and the RMAC Freshman of the Year in 2010, Akindele was the first player in the history of his school's conference to score three consecutive hat tricks.

"I'm going to work hard," said Akindele. "I know the level is different. I'm going to have to get used to the speed of play and the smarts of the players, but overall I think I will be able to come in and contribute right away."

FC Dallas 2014 SuperDraft Selection:
Tesho Akindele
1^st Round, 6^th Overall
DOB: March 31, 1992
HT: 6'1"
WT: 180
Birthplace: Calgary, AB
Hometown: Thornton, Colo.
Position: Forward
College: Colorado School of Mines
Citizenship:  USA/Canada
Pronunciation: TESH-o Ah-kin-del-lee

FC Dallas reports for 2014 preseason on Jan. 25, and will spend the following weeks preparing for the 2014 season opener against Montreal, presented by AdvoCare and slated for March 8 at Toyota Stadium.