Louisville D Farrell taken first in MLS draft

Andrew Farrell is introduced by MLS commissioner Don Garber as the first pick of the draft.

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Louisville defender Andrew Farrell was selected by the New England Revolution with the top pick in Major League Soccer's draft on Thursday.

The 20-year-old was a first-team All-American last season as a junior, when he shifted from midfield to the back line. New England acquired the top pick from Toronto a day earlier.

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Connecticut midfielder Carlos Alvarez was taken by Chivas USA with the second pick. From East Los Angeles, Alvarez was with the U.S. Under-20 team in 2008 and Mexico's Under-20 team the following year.

Toronto then selected Kyle Bekker, a Canadian midfielder from Boston College, and Vancouver drafted 18-year-old forward Kekuta Manneh.