Andrew Farrell Bio
Andrew Mikobi Farrell, born April 2, 1992, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution. Drafted with the number one overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, he has spent his entire professional career with the Revolution and holds the club record for most appearances in team history. Standing at 5 feet 11 inches, Farrell is widely regarded as one of the most consistent center backs of his generation in MLS and has been a cornerstone of the Revolution defense for more than a decade.
Beyond his work on the pitch, Farrell is also recognized for his service off it. He has been named Revolution Humanitarian of the Year three times, reflecting his long-standing involvement in community initiatives across New England. As of the most recent season, he continues to balance his playing duties with a player professional development role that includes assistant coaching responsibilities within the Revolution Academy.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Mikobi Farrell was born in Louisville, Kentucky, but was raised in Peru from the age of five to fifteen, where his adoptive parents worked as Presbyterian missionaries. Growing up in Lima, he attended Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt, The American School of Lima, while also developing his soccer skills at the Esther Grande de BentÃn Academy. His time in Peru gave him a strong technical foundation and a clear sense of discipline that would later shape his professional career.
Farrell moved back to Louisville ahead of his sophomore year of high school and enrolled at Atherton High School. That same year, he began playing competitive club soccer for United 1996 FC, a Louisville-based program that helped him transition into the American soccer system. By the end of his high school career, his performances had earned him a scholarship offer from the University of Louisville.
Path to Professional Soccer
At the University of Louisville, Farrell joined the Cardinals and quickly established himself as a promising young player. As a freshman, he appeared in 20 matches and started five, becoming one of only two freshmen on the roster to break into the starting lineup. By his junior season, he had become a regular starter, logging all 23 games and later shifting from midfield into a defensive role for the final nine matches of the campaign. That year he was named to the NCAA Division I First-Team All-America list and earned Big East Defensive Player of the Year after Louisville allowed only 0.62 goals per game.
During the summer of 2012, Farrell gained additional experience in the USL Premier Development League, playing for both the Bradenton Academics and the River City Rovers. These appearances helped him gain valuable minutes against older competition. On January 3, 2013, he signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer, and two weeks later he was selected first overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution, becoming the first number one pick in the history of the club.
Andrew Farrell Career
Early Career (2013-2014)
Andrew Mikobi Farrell made his professional debut on March 9, 2013, appearing in the Revolution’s season-opening 1-0 away victory over the Chicago Fire. He quickly adapted to the professional level, going on to make 32 appearances during his rookie campaign. His first assist in a Revolution shirt came on June 2, 2013, when he set up Kelyn Rowe’s 94th-minute goal in a 5-0 win over the LA Galaxy. By the end of his first season, MLS had placed him at number nine on its annual “24 under 24” list recognizing the league’s best young talents.
Over the following seasons, Farrell steadily grew into one of the most dependable defenders in New England’s squad. He became a regular starter and a key figure in the team’s defensive structure, helping the Revolution become increasingly competitive in the Eastern Conference. His tactical awareness and calmness in possession earned him the trust of his coaches and the respect of opposing attackers.
Revolution Breakthrough and Consistency (2015-2020)
The middle portion of Farrell’s career was defined by individual recognition and leadership. In 2015, he was named Revolution Defender of the Year, the first of what would become a record-setting five club awards. He added a second Defender of the Year honor in 2018, the same year he also received the club’s Humanitarian of the Year award. Farrell led the team in matches started in 2017 and led the squad in minutes played the same year, underlining his importance to the Revolution’s identity.
Farrell reached a notable offensive milestone on April 6, 2018, scoring his first professional goal in a 4-0 win over the Montreal Impact. That same match marked his 163rd career start, tying him with Taylor Twellman for seventh-most in club history at the time. The 2019 and 2020 campaigns saw him continue to anchor the back line, and in 2019 he picked up his third Defender of the Year award, further cementing his legacy in New England.
Record-Setting Years and Continued Excellence (2021-2022)
The 2021 season was a landmark year for Andrew Mikobi Farrell. On August 8, 2021, he set a new club record by making his 255th career start in a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union, surpassing the previous all-time mark set by Shalrie Joseph. Ten days later, on August 18, 2021, he added the club record for most minutes played during a 3-2 win over D.C. United. He also led the Revolution in both matches started and minutes played that season, reinforcing his status as the team’s most reliable presence on the field.
Farrell added two more Defender of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022, becoming the first Revolution player to win the honor in back-to-back seasons since Michael Parkhurst in 2007 and 2008, and the only player in club history to achieve back-to-back Defender of the Year recognition on two separate occasions. His performances throughout this stretch helped establish a defensive standard in New England that few others have matched in club history.
Continuing Role and Academy Work (2023-2024)
Farrell continued to add to his record-breaking career in 2023, when on September 30 he made his 350th career start for the Revolution across all competitions, the most of any player in club history. He was again named Revolution Humanitarian of the Year in 2023, reflecting his continued dedication to community service. His combination of longevity, consistency, and character made him one of the most respected figures in the New England locker room.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, the Revolution re-signed Farrell to a one-year contract that also included a Player Professional Development role as an assistant coach in the Revolution Academy. The dual role allowed him to contribute on the field while mentoring the next generation of New England players. He added a third Humanitarian of the Year honor in 2024, completing one of the most decorated tenures in club history.
Driving Style and Strengths
While Andrew Mikobi Farrell’s craft lies in defending rather than racing, his professional approach is built on similar principles of precision, endurance, and consistency. He excels in one-on-one duels, reads the game with maturity, and rarely puts a foot wrong in possession. His leadership at the back, combined with his ability to play out from the back, has made him a trusted organizer of the Revolution defense and a model professional for younger academy players.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Andrew Mikobi Farrell’s signature moments are his 2013 first overall selection in the MLS SuperDraft, his record 255th career start in 2021, and his 350th career start in 2023. He has also scored key goals, including his first professional tally in 2018 against the Montreal Impact, and has been recognized as MLS All-Star and a five-time Defender of the Year. His humanitarian work has earned him three club Humanitarian of the Year awards, completing a legacy that extends well beyond the pitch.
Andrew Farrell Career Wins
Andrew Mikobi Farrell’s career highlights center on longevity and consistency rather than trophy counts, with his individual awards and club records serving as the primary measures of his success. Across more than a decade with the New England Revolution, he has earned five Defender of the Year honors, one MLS All-Star selection, and three Humanitarian of the Year awards. His records for career starts and minutes played place him at the top of nearly every major category in Revolution history.
Revolution Highlights
Farrell’s first major achievement came in 2015, when he was named Revolution Defender of the Year for the first time. He added the honor again in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022, setting a club record with five total selections. He was also named an MLS All-Star in 2016, joining a select group of Revolution players to receive league-wide recognition during his career.
Other Awards and Performances
Beyond his defensive honors, Farrell has been widely respected for his off-field contributions, earning Revolution Humanitarian of the Year honors in 2018, 2023, and 2024. His consistency has also been reflected in his role as a leader in matches started and minutes played across multiple seasons, helping anchor a Revolution defense that has remained competitive in Major League Soccer throughout his tenure.
Andrew Farrell Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Andrew Mikobi Farrell was raised by adoptive parents who worked as Presbyterian missionaries in Peru, where the family lived from when he was five years old until he was fifteen. Their commitment to service and community shaped much of his upbringing and later influenced his own philanthropic work with the New England Revolution. The years spent in Lima also exposed him to a different style of soccer that helped develop his technical skills from a young age.
Personal Life
Andrew Mikobi Farrell is known for his close ties to the Louisville community, where he was born and raised, and for his ongoing service work across New England. He has balanced his professional soccer career with a strong commitment to humanitarian causes, an effort recognized by three club Humanitarian of the Year awards. His transition into a player-coach role with the Revolution Academy reflects his desire to give back to the sport that has defined his life.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into the 2025 season, Andrew Mikobi Farrell remains under contract with the New England Revolution after agreeing to a one-year deal that includes a dual coaching role in the Revolution Academy. His experience and leadership are expected to play an important role for a team looking to build a more competitive squad in Major League Soccer. As the club’s all-time leader in career starts and minutes played, his presence in the locker room continues to set a standard for younger players.
On the field, Farrell is expected to remain a central part of the Revolution’s defensive plans, providing stability and guidance to an evolving back line. His familiarity with the club’s system and his rapport with teammates make him a valuable resource as the team seeks to climb the Eastern Conference standings. Even in a reduced role, his ability to read the game and communicate with defenders gives the Revolution a reliable anchor at the back.
Off the field, Farrell’s expanded academy responsibilities signal a long-term investment in player development within the organization. By splitting time between playing and coaching, he is positioned to help shape the next generation of Revolution talent while still contributing to the senior team. His 2025 campaign is therefore likely to be defined as much by mentorship and leadership as by his individual defensive performances.