Dec. 20, 2012

FRISCO, Texas – Bradlee Baladez, who completed his junior season for the South Carolina men’s soccer team in early November, has signed a professional contract with MLS club FC Dallas, the organization announced late Thursday. Per team and league policy, terms of the Homegrown deal will not be disclosed.

“We’re really pleased for Bradlee to be making this next step with his career,” South Carolina head coach Mark Berson said. “Our mission here is to enable each student-athlete to achieve the best that they can, both on the field and in the classroom, and this includes enabling them to go to the next level. Bradlee joins a number of South Carolina players who have gone on to the MLS and we’re very excited for him.”

The 6’1″ forward recently completed his junior season at South Carolina where he was an all-conference and NSCAA All-South honoree. In his three seasons with the Gamecocks, Baladez started 59 games, scored 17 goals and tallied eight assists. He was named the team Offensive MVP following his sophomore campaign, earning All-Conference USA and All-South honors. It was the second of three All-Conference USA campaigns for the Texan who led Conference USA with five game-winning goals as a freshman in 2010.

“Bradlee has matured in his three seasons at South Carolina,” said FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman. “I feel that he will fight and compete for playing time with us. He is a natural box striker with good finishing abilities.”

A former two-time Dallas Morning News Player of the Week honoree during his prep days, Baladez was voted team MVP and Most Outstanding Player at Mesquite High School while also advancing to USSF Academy League Regional Finals (2009) and USSF Academy League National Finals (2010) with the FC Dallas Academy.

Baladez is the eighth Homegrown signing for FC Dallas, joining Kellyn Acosta as the two most recent additions to the professional team.