The Houston Dash have signed midfielder Kelly McFarlane as a discovery player, the club announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
McFarlane, 21, was a four-year letter winner at the University of North Carolina and appeared in all 23 games during the Tar Heels’ 2012 national championship season alongside current Dash teammate Kealia Ohai. The Mill Valley, California, native appeared in 92 games during her collegiate career, tallying five goals and 14 assists.
McFarlane spent time with the Dash as a trialist during the 2014 preseason, but did not see any game action as she returned to North Carolina to finish her degree in Health Policy and Management.
“Kelly is a player that we invited into our preseason and she did outstanding during her stay,” said head coach Randy Waldrum. “She is a defensive central midfield player and was very effective in that role for North Carolina. She’s tough, talented, can cover a lot of ground, and she reads the game very well. I think she’s going to be a great complement to Becky Edwards in midfield. With the addition of Kaylyn Kyle and now Kelly, we are getting closer to being where we need to be in midfield.”
McFarlane will be available for selection for tonight’s home match against Portland Thorns FC (TICKETS).
