It's been oddly quiet on this front. I've got thoughts on who should leave early and who might leave early. But I have heard nothing about underclassmen actually turning pro early this winter Anyone else?
With the MLS combine being replaced with a "new showcase" that is being scheduled between the College cup SF and F (on that Saturday in Cary), GA may not be announced until after College Cup.
We have movement... NC State Jr. MF David Loera has signed a homegrown contract with Orlando City. NEWS: One of Orlando's own is now a Lion. Welcome to the first team, David! #VamosOrlando— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) December 9, 2019
So I can't tell if they're leaving early, but MLS has invited 16 underclassmen who aren't participating in the College Cup to a "showcase" this weekend along with some seniors. The showcase is replacing the MLS Combine. The MLS release makes a point of saying this event won't conflict with their NCAA eligibility but it definitely seems to imply there is interest on both the part of MLS and these players to see them leave early. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019...augural-adidas-mls-college-showcase-dec-13-15 For those that don't click on the list, the underclassmen at the showcase are: Brown, Javain CB South Florida Costa, Gabriel AM SMU Egbo, David F Akron Hernandez, Nicky DM SMU Mabika, Aimé CB Kentucky Maher, Jack CB Indiana Nielsen, Patrick CB Michigan State Pereira, Daniel CM Virginia Tech Pérez, Louis AM Central Florida Raposo, Ryan W Syracuse Reyes, Jacobo M Portland Ritaccio, Carlo CB Akron Robinson, Robbie F Clemson Smith, Kimarni W Clemson Stanley, Aedan LB Duke Trejo, Daniel W Cal State - Northridge
I am told that there are only two routes for college underclassmen to directly move to MLS. They are either HG or they are GA.
Most of the time (maybe always?) the GA deals are already known before combine. That has been it in the past. Players with GA deals aren’t always at the combine either.
Aidan Morris is leaving IU for the pros. Sad - I really enjoyed watching him. Jack Maher's brother has signed w/ IU, so he's going to stay (at least another year).
Agree, but I believe that he made the right transition decision. For the matches that I saw, he seemed to be playing at a different level (as a 17yo). I'm glad that he came to IU for a season, got to experience the college experience (for a semester) and can start as a pro at the beginning of the season (rather than trying to fit in during mid-season). Cheers to him and good luck to his next steps.
The first (only) GenAd signings have been announced. Henry Kessler, Jr. D, Virginia Jack Maher, So. D, Indiana Ryan Raposo, So. M/F, Syracuse (Canada) Robbie Robinson, Jr. F, Clemson
It's always a tough call - go after the best talent you can even if they won't matriculate or will leave early as soon as they get the chance. OR, go after players who aren't quite as good but are more likely to stay four years. Aside from Jordan Morris, Stanford has shown you can win a national title without players leaving early. But most of the other top programs tend to rely heavily on the level of talent that tends not to stay four years.
Here's the link from MLS. I wonder if other GAs will be announced? I could see UVA's Dike, and Bell be signed. Maybe, Clemson's freshman Mayaka, Akron's Egbo, Mabika (KY)
Anyone have the data analytics or subjective opinion on are the traditional powers losing ground to mid-majors because they have a high percentage of the early departures? The value of a Stanford degree probably keeps their kids in school.
Sam - coaches that go for that elite player knows the player probably isn't going to stay for all 4 years. I've talked with many coaches and between HG and GA, the future is now for these teams. It's part of the coach's motivation technique - "want to make the money, work harder, do this or that".
I have seen multiple posts on twitter that UVa is losing both Joe Bell and Daryl Dike, with Bell going to Norway and Dike signing a GA deal and likely going to Miami.
Dike is official. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020...igns-generation-adidas-contract-eligible-2020 And so is Bell, apparently. https://www.aftenbladet.no/sport/i/4qKe6g/viking-er-enige-med-joe-bell-vi-er-veldig-glade If anyone speaks Norwegian and can translate, that'd be nice.
It's not very big, but we finally have enough players leaving early to have a list! Joe Bell, Jr. M, Virginia (New Zealand) - Viking (Norway) Daryl Dike, So. F, Virginia - Generation Adidas Henry Kessler, Jr. D, Virginia - Generation Adidas David Loera, Jr. M, NC State - Orlando City (Homegrown) Jack Maher, So. D, Indiana - Generation Adidas Aidan Morris, Fr. M, Indiana - Columbus Crew (Homegrown) Ryan Raposo, So. M/F, Syracuse (Canada) - Generation Adidas Robbie Robinson, Jr. F, Clemson - Generation Adidas
https://www.nesoccerjournal.com/nick-woodruff-signs-with-revolution-ii-leaves-michigan-state-early/ Nick Woodruff (Attleboro, Mass.) The 21-year-old center back is one step closer to realizing dream, as he’s signed with the club’s USL League One side, Revolution II,
This article says UConn Jr. D Jake Dengler has signed with Loudoun United of the USL. https://www.blackandredunited.com/2...united-bethlehem-steel-charlotte-independence