SoccerByIves is reporting three underclassmen have signed draft-eligible GA deals. Furman So. D Walker Zimmerman, Louisville Jr. D Andrew Farrell and VCU Jr. F Jason Johnson. http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/12...-players-to-sign-generation-adidas-deals.html He also says more contracts have been offered so there could/should be more news on this front soon.
Johnson is a good player but someone in MLS must have really stood up for him because his numbers aren't so overpowering as to suggest he would be the top draft-eligible underclassmen forward signed. http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/msoc/2012-13/bios/johnson_jason_icym
They probably were intrigued with his size, pace, and left foot. Coaches/scouts were probably left with big eyes seeing the potential.
These days, partly because of the trend towards one forward formations, just about everyone puts a high premium on athleticism for forwards. Especially on the size/athleticism combo prospect. I don't think MLS is unusual in being intrigued by such prospects at forward.
Missed this over the holiday weekend but according to TopDrawerSoccer North Carolina So. MF Mikey Lopez has signed a GA deal. http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/coll...rospects:-college-stars-bolt-for-mls_aid28285
Here's what we have confirmed so far, either via official release or media report. Bradlee Baladez, Jr. F, South Carolina (Dallas - HG) Andrew Farrell, Jr. D Louisville (GA) Jason Johnson, Jr. F, Virginia Commonwealth - via Jamaica (GA) Mike Lopez, So. M, North Carolina (GA) Wil Trapp, So. M, Akron (Columbus - HG) Gyasi Zardes, R-Jr. F, CS Bakersfield (Los Angeles - HG) Walker Zimmerman, So. D, Furman (GA) Lopez, Trapp and Zimmerman are age-eligible for the current US U20 cycle.
Indiana So. F Eriq Zavaleta signs a GA deal. http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/01/zavaleta-signs-generation-adidas-deal.html
Zardes, Zavaleta and Zimmerman - there probably aren't a lot of times that Zardes is listed alphabetically and is TWO from the bottom!
damnit! i mean... good for eriq. hahaha. it's good to see him recognized. it will be interesting to see where he lands and how he is used.
This probably isn't indicative of anything but it still jumped out to me: of the 8 players who have signed early with MLS this winter either as HG or GA players, 6 are ether Hispanic or Black.
This one is a bit of a surprise. Apparently Cornell Jr. All America forward Daniel Haber, who was one of the top scorers in college soccer this fall, has signed with Maccabi Haifa in Israel. http://maccabi-haifafc.walla.co.il/?w=/3036/2603231
Not many Ivy League players have left early over the years. In any sport. Lou Gehrig may have been the last one.
Thanks.. There are many different motivators in life, Soccer being just one of them....I would bet there are other motivating factors involed for him going to Isreal.....
Perhaps. I'm not in a position to comment on that. I am, however, pretty sure that if he's a Member of the Tribe (and I don't mean William & Mary), that he won't count as a foreign player in Israel, which would enhance his value to the club and make it a tad easier for him to sign there, as opposed to somewhere in Europe.
He is a "member of the Tribe." Here's an article that Haber is quoted saying, It is a tough loss for Jaro as Haber was the key cog to his attack. Also, as Sandon noted, just a really interesting move on his part to leave a year early from getting his degree from Cornell. ""I am delighted and very glad to join a club such as Maccabi Haifa that is the biggest club in Israel and known across Europe". He added: "I hope everything would turn out and I would be able to play for the team, for me, as a Jew, it is a big dream to play here" http://maccabi-haifafc.walla.co.il/?w=/3036/2603231
University of Portland Jr. MF Steve Evans has signed a homergrown deal with the Portland Timbers. http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news...dfielder-steven-evans-second-homegrown-player
Updated list: Bradlee Baladez, Jr. F, South Carolina (Dallas - HG) Steve Evans, Jr. MF, Portland (Portland - HG) Andrew Farrell, Jr. D Louisville (GA) Daniel Haber, Jr. F, Cornell (Maccabi Haifa, Israel) Jason Johnson, Jr. F, Virginia Commonwealth - via Jamaica (GA) Mike Lopez, So. M, North Carolina (GA) Wil Trapp, So. M, Akron (Columbus - HG) Eriq Zavaleta, So. F, Indiana (GA) Gyasi Zardes, R-Jr. F, CS Bakersfield (Los Angeles - HG) Walker Zimmerman, So. D, Furman (GA)