By Mike Giesta, Globe Correspondent

The Revolution have selected defenseman Andrew Farrell from the University of Louisville with the first overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.

The pick marks the first time in which the club has drafted this high in the 18-year history of the event.

The team acquired the pick in a trade with Toronto, swapping the fourth overall selection and allocation money.

In 2002, the Revolution had the second overall pick, selecting Taylor Twellman, who became the club's all-time leading scorer.

Farrell was the 2012 Big East defensive player of the year and a first-team NCAA All-American. He anchored the Cardinals' defense, which allowed just 0.62 goals per game in league play and has been the consensus No. 1 all year long heading into the draft.

The Revolution were 9-17-8 in the 2012 season and are in need of an impact player.

“We’re very pleased to add Andrew to the Revolution,” General Manager Michael Burns said. “We believe he is the best player available in this draft class and proactively made the deal with Toronto to move up the draft order so we could ensure he was available when we picked.

"We’re looking forward to getting him into camp with us and getting him acclimated to the Revolution," Burns said. "We believe he has a very bright future with our club and in this league."

A versatile player, Farrell could play center back or right back.

“I’m excited,” Farrell said. “I couldn’t stay away from the mock drafts. Obviously I want to be the first guy off the board, and New England is a great organization.

“Wherever the coaches want to play me it’s their call, I don’t have any preferences,” Farrell said. “I can bring speed on the outside, depth within the center and outside back positions.”

The first team All-American is relatively unfazed by the added pressure of being a first overall selection.

“There’s pressure for everybody,” Farrell said. “A new season starts and everybody has to get ready to play.”

Farrell thinks it's exciting that the coaching staff believes he could potentially keep up with the veterans on the team and make an impact right away.

“Obviously everybody can learn something and I’m looking forward to meeting the guys and seeing what I can learn from them."