FC Dallas has signed more former academy players than any club in MLS

FRISCO – FC Dallas has signed defender Chris Richards to a Homegrown contract. Richards, who will remain with the FC Dallas’ U-19s, will be eligible to be added to the first team roster upon completion of homegrown eligibility requirements.

Richards, 18, becomes the 22nd player from its academy to be signed to a Homegrown contract and the 24th player to be signed from the FC Dallas Academy. He joined the FC Dallas Academy last year and has started 13 U.S. Soccer Development Academy matches for FC Dallas’ U-19s. The Alabama native also started all three matches for the U-19s in Dallas Cup two weeks ago. He scored the only goal in a 1-1 draw with Querétaro on March 28.

FC Dallas U-19s have an 10-4-3 record in matches that Richards starts. The defender also scored in the 23rd minute of a 3-2 loss to LA Galaxy in a USSDA match on December 3.

Richards was invited to the U.S. Soccer Men’s YNT Summit Camp as part of the U-19 team. The camp ran from Jan. 2 to Jan. 11 in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

Name: Chris Richards

Connect with Christopher: Instagram

Position: Defender

Height: 6-2

Weight: 180

DOB: March 28, 2000

Birth Place: Birmingham, Alabama

Hometown: Hoover, Alabama

Citizenship: USA

Transaction: FC Dallas signs Christopher Richards as its 22nd Homegrown player.