A decorated defender's journey culminates. Starnes returns to his roots, ready to dominate MLS defenses after a stellar college career.
Slade Starnes didn’t just help SMU win a trophy - he finished the job and went home.
The SMU men’s soccer standout has signed a homegrown contract with FC Dallas, the club where his journey first began.
For a Dallas kid who came up through the FC Dallas Academy, captained the U19s, and then returned to dominate college soccer, the move feels less like a transaction and more like destiny.
And make no mistake - this one was earned.
Starnes leaves SMU as one of the most accomplished defenders in program history. A MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American, and ACC Championship MVP, he was the backbone of a Mustangs defense that made opposing attacks miserable all season long.
If you were looking for goals against SMU, good luck.
Led by Starnes, the Mustangs posted seven clean sheets this season and allowed just 9.0 shot attempts per game. Five opponents didn’t even reach five shots total.
In the ACC Championship match against No. 4 Virginia, SMU didn’t just win, they erased the Cavaliers, allowing zero shots on target.
Starnes finished his SMU career with 65 appearances, contributing to 24 clean sheets while adding seven goals and eight assists.
Before arriving on the Hilltop, Starnes spent three seasons at Furman, where he started 43 matches and helped produce 17 clean sheets. Honors followed there too, including First Team All-SoCon in 2024 and All-Freshman recognition back in 2022.
By the time he landed at SMU, he already played like a pro - he just needed the stage.
That stage arrived in November, when SMU Mustangs captured the ACC Championship - the school’s first conference title since joining the league in 2024. Starnes wasn’t just part of it; he was central to it.
Now he takes the next step with FC Dallas, joining an organization that values development, trusts academy products, and isn’t afraid to play young defenders with edge and intelligence.
The jump from college to MLS isn’t easy. But if defending space, reading danger early, and leading a back line under pressure are prerequisites?
Slade Starnes has been doing that for years. The badge may change. The job description won’t.