He's a big '98 D at U-Md. The YA-relevant portion of the story is entirely contained in the excerpt below, but he certainly seems like an interesting young man: Then in the coming weeks, Pines will decide whether to put ambitious academic work on hold — he is a biology major and the son of the university’s engineering dean — to sign with D.C. United or venture overseas. ... Because Pines is a longtime member of D.C.'s youth academy, United owns his MLS homegrown rights. He would become available in the league’s draft only if United renounces those rights, an unlikely scenario. He might also decide to stay in school. https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...ers-field-work-preventing-goals-saving-frogs/ College bio: https://umterps.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3268 YNT cup of coffee: https://www.ussoccer.com/players/p/donovan-pines#tab-1
I'm slipping. The Post article references Pines' "field work," which, as an old and strange guy, should've prompted me to post a Thomas Dolby video in the original post. I'm really sorry, folks.
This tweet from Goff perhaps advances the story a bit, suggesting that he has some degree of interest, rather than that he might just go try his luck. Will winning the title increase likelihood of dominant center back Donovan Pines turning pro this winter? He is a @dcunited homegrown who has drawn some interest abroad.— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) December 10, 2018
This is an older article, and doesn't add much in the way of detail, but Sasho seems to think it's at least possible Pines won't be back next year. “My job here is to help support the dreams of my players, and we’ll evaluate every opportunity that might be there,” he said. “Some might be great and some might not be so great. So I think we’ll sit down with the family — I have a great relationship with the family — and take a look at all of those things. But Donovan loves the experience he has here, and I know that he still feels like he can grow. So he’s going to have some real opportunities and some real choices.” https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports...nes-defense-mls-dc-united-20181211-story.html
6’5 @MarylandMSoccer CB Donovan Pines will spend his Winter Break training over in England as he weighs his pro options overseas versus signing a HG deal with @dcunited! Pines is a former @DCUyouth standout who attended @hcpss_rhhs.#RepDMV | #DMVBred 📰| https://t.co/ijt15rvzRj pic.twitter.com/Hbvn3t9xfb— DMV Soccer (@DMVSoccer96) January 3, 2019
He evidently postponed the visit to England with a DCU deal close, but it's not a done deal. https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...aryland-soccer-team-pursue-pro-opportunities/
Signs with DC United: https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/col...ylands-donovan-pines-joins-dc-united_aid45761
ANOTHER ONE 🚨Homegrown Defender Donovan Pines is training with Swansea City A.F.C. in the English Football League Championship this offseason pic.twitter.com/II1gZvFWnY— D.C. United (@dcunited) December 4, 2019
He is an interesting prospect, super athletic and a very good one v one defender. Closest comp I can think of is Kurt Zouma.
Interest from Anderlecht: Anderlecht of Belgium want to sign DC United’s Donovan Pines and are willing to spend a $2m transfer fee, according to multiple reports. The 24-year-old American center-back has been a mistake-prone defender with DC, and receiving $2m would be good business. #LetsFly #MLS pic.twitter.com/uEuEo1T0wj— MLS NETWORK (@mlsnetwork) August 3, 2022
Sell, sell, selling if true. He actually has all of the physical traits Belgium teams seem to like. Maybe they can help.
I can’t see why any team would sign him. And I’m a DCU fan from day one in 2016 and went to Maryland and my son goes to Maryland so Donovan has all my sentimental support. But he isn’t playing well now and truthfully if DCU were a decently run team they’d find someone better, which shouldn’t be that difficult. I’m rooting for DP but I can’t see why a team in any top flight league wants to sign him.
Pines might be a guy a team can talk themselves into. He will make runs of good plays punctuated by some of the dumbest decisions I've ever seen. So maybe easy to convince yourself, "well, if we just cut out the mistakes." But it's been years and it's not improved so I'm dubious.
Various media types reporting that Pines is in negotiations with (English third-division club) Barnsley.
Well, he'd immediately be the top American in League One. Yay? With moves like Steffen and Mihailovic returning to MLS, I'm wondering whether moves like this will tail off.
Snip: He attended the 1-1 draw with Wigan at Oakwell on Monday, then stayed until Wednesday before flying home as planned. https://www.barnsleychronicle.com/article/26973/us-international-visits-oakwell-amid-deal-talks
Move confirmed “Barnsley have signed USA defender Donovan Pines on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season, with an option for a further 12 months. The 25-year-old has made the free-transfer move after four years with DC United in Washington.” "There have been extensive discussions over the last three weeks to be able to bring Donovan to the club," said acting director of football Bobby Hassell. "His physical stature allows him to be aerially dominant and combative whilst also possessing fantastic recovery speed, making him a versatile defender against different attacking players."
We introduced Donovan to Yorkshire lingo 😅🇺🇸 He'll be fluent in no time! pic.twitter.com/TVVj0wsM4X— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) January 18, 2024
Makes his debut: Debut time! 🇺🇸🔴 1-2 ⚫️ [64'] pic.twitter.com/4Cfa8N2efu— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) February 17, 2024