FRISCO, Texas- FC Dallas added a prolific goal scorer in Cal Jennings from the University of Central Florida with its second pick (17th overall) in the first round of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.
Jennings played four years with UCF and scored 46 goals in 52 starts, including 32 goals in 35 appearances over his junior and senior seasons. He earned a USC First Team All-America nod as well as being named to the First team All East Region in 2018.
“I’m really excited to get an opportunity with Dallas for sure,” Jennings said. “To come to FC Dallas is awesome – the owner basically propped up the whole league – the reason MLS is a thing is because of Lamar Hunt so that’s exciting in and of itself. Also, the opportunity for young players to get some playing time there is exciting.”
Jennings’ senior season was filled with accolades. In addition to being a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, he was named to the All-AAC First Team and won the AAC Offensive Player of the Year after scoring 18 goals in 20 games.
“I thrive when it comes to balls coming into the box,” Jennings said on his play style. “I think they describe me as a ‘fox in the box’ and I’d say that’s pretty accurate. But I feel like I can get goals from a number of different places as well, and the tapes might not necessarily show that.”
“Cal is a mobile #9, has the mobility to play the #7 but he has mostly played at the #9,” said head coach Luchi Gonzalez. “He is an area player and has an instinct to get on the end of crosses, to get on the end of through balls and to get things on frame. He also has some really good character references off the field. He’s got some athletic tools that can transfer into MLS, so we are looking forward to him joining our locker room and competing with our boys.”
Although a first-round draftee with an impressive collegiate record, Jennings isn’t getting ahead of himself.
“First thing is to make the team and get a contract and go from there. I’m just excited to be able to show myself and have an opportunity, and I know if I get that the goals will come.”
Should Jennings earn a contract, he will have to contend with Czech forward Zdenek Ondrasek and last year’s leading scorer Jesus Ferreira for a starting role in 2020. Drafting Jennings will also likely affect 17-year-old Ricardo Pepi’s chances of playing. Pepi often lined up with second team North Texas SC last year, and adding Jennings to the depth chart could mean more minutes in USL League One for the Homegrown forward.
