The slow trickle of what will likely become a pretty hard rain of underclassmen bolting for the pros has begun. The first couple of names feature one very obvious one going someplace unexpected and an unexpected player taking a homegrown deal. According to multuiple journalists and news outlets on social media, NC State sophomore flank player Manny Perez, a member of the US U20 national team, has agreed to a deal with Scottish power Glasgow Celtic. The deal will be made official at the start of the new year. Given his YNT profile, it's no surprise Perez is leaving Raleigh. Had he gone to MLS, he could have been the top player taken. In fact in hindsight, it's more surprising he came back at all for his sophomore year given he missed about a third of the season, including the ACC and NCAA Tournament games for State. The other player confirmed to be leaving is Harvard sophomore goalkeeper Matt Freese has signed a homegrown contract with the Philadelphia Union. Yes, even Ivy Leaguers are now bailing on college soccer to go pro early. At 6-foot-7, Freese is a huge prospect but he's likely a couple of years away from replacing former UConn star and ex-MLS GK of the Year Andre Blake.
Maryland GK Dayne St. Clair has signed Generation adidas. UCLA's Frankie Amaya has signed Generation adidas. Others expected: Kentucky -- JJ Williams Syracuse -- Tajon Buchanan UNC -- John Nelson IU -- Griffin Dorsey VCU -- Siad Haji
Here is the link from Ives. He's generally pretty reliable with his reporting. Of course, nothing official on MLS.com
Cal Poly freshman center back Brecc Evans signs a pro deal with FC Dallas' side in USL League One. https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2019/...orward-ronaldo-damus-and-defender-brecc-evans
So by my count, these underclassmen have already turned pro... Frankie Amaya, Fr. M, UCLA - Generation Adidas Tajon Buchanan (Canada), So. F/M, Syracuse - Generation Adidas Griffin Dorsey, So. F/M, Indiana - Generation Adidas Brecc Evans, Fr. D, Cal Poly - North Texas SC (USL League One) Matthew Freese, So. GK, Harvard - Philadelphia Union Siad Haji, Jr. M, Va. Commonwealth - Generation Adidas Benji Michel, Jr. F, Portland - Orlando City John Nelson, So. D, North Carolina - Generation Adidas Manny Perez, So. D/M, North Carolina State - Glasgow Celtic (Scotland) Dayne St. Clair (Canada), R-Jr. GK, Maryland - Generation Adidas JJ Williams, Jr. F, Kentucky - Generation Adidas
College Homegrown prospect rankings: Tabbing up NCAA's top HGP contenders "...a look at the Top 15 Homegrown-eligible players in the college game from the 2018 season, and speculation on whether or not they will leave school in the coming weeks."
Gotta figure a bunch of these underclassmen are outie. I'd be stunned if Fernandez is back in Winston-Salem next year.
UCLA loses another one... Mohammed Kamara officially inks a deal with SC Paderborn 07 of the 2. Bundesliga. Congrats Mo! #GoBruins https://t.co/scB7npT9D7— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) January 5, 2019
Tommy McCabe (ND JR) is in the combine, because he has graduated. Now, it's possible that he will come back to ND (or transfer to another school) if he hasn't signed with an agent and if he isn't drafted high enough on Friday. But, I think he qualifies as leaving early.
We're happy to announce the signing of former @ZipsMSoc forward, Marcel Zajac (@MarcelZajac11) to a multi-year contract.🗞 | https://t.co/XDWOAABVLB #ForgeFC | #CanPL pic.twitter.com/ER42JBLeLP— Forge FC (@ForgeFCHamilton) January 8, 2019
It requires a subscription to see it, but The Athletic is reporting today that UCLA freshman Matt Hundley has signed a homegrown deal with the Colorado Rapids. And several media outlets say Indiana soph. GK Trey Muse is signing a HG deal with the Seattle Sounders. Same with Wake Forest's Omir Fernandezz and the NY Red Bulls.
Updated list (awaiting confirmation on Muse and Fernandez). Frankie Amaya, Fr. M, UCLA - Generation Adidas Tajon Buchanan (Canada), So. F/M, Syracuse - Generation Adidas Griffin Dorsey, So. F/M, Indiana - Generation Adidas Brecc Evans, Fr. D, Cal Poly - North Texas SC (USL League One) Matthew Freese, So. GK, Harvard - Philadelphia Union Siad Haji, Jr. M, Va. Commonwealth - Generation Adidas Matt Hundley, Fr. F/M, UCLA - Colorado Rapids Mohammed Kamara (Liberia), Jr. F, UCLA - Paderborn (Germany) Tommy McCabe, Jr. M, Notre Dame - graduated early; declared for MLS draft Benji Michel, Jr. F, Portland - Orlando City John Nelson, So. D, North Carolina - Generation Adidas Manny Perez, So. D/M, North Carolina State - Glasgow Celtic (Scotland) Dayne St. Clair (Canada), R-Jr. GK, Maryland - Generation Adidas JJ Williams, Jr. F, Kentucky - Generation Adidas Marcel Zajac (Canada), So. F, Akron - Hamilton Force (Canadian Premier League)
Sandon, as you may seen, Goff has tweeted that (Maryland Junior) Donovan Pines is going pro. "Donovan Pines, a towering defensive anchor during Maryland’s improbable run to the NCAA soccer championship last month, will forgo his final year of eligibility to pursue a pro career, Terrapins Coach Sasho Cirovski said Tuesday. Pines, a 6-foot-5 junior center back, has hired an agent and begun talks with D.C. United, which is seeking to sign him to a homegrown contract, multiple people said." Full article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...sue-pro-opportunities/?utm_term=.5df1f36bd03f
He's an animal. Not sure IU would have beat Maryland in the B1G tournament if Pines had played. Of all the players I watched this season, Gutman, Pines, and St. Clair were the best pro ready prospects. Should have been pro before this year. Pines could be better on a ball, but defensively is tremendous.
Agreed. I have been ringing the bell for Pines ever since Terps visited Zips last Spring. Beast! How long before these three get NT call-ups?
Pines has really upped his game and he's ready to go pro. Sure, you could see the talent, but he was much more pensive last year and awkward on the ball. He's worked tremendously hard on that area of his game. I wish him well. I would prefer Muse to St Clair - interesting that they are in the same conference.