http://virginiasports.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/010703aaa.html CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - University of Virginia men's soccer player Jacob LeBlanc (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) has announced he will forego his senior year at Virginia to pursue a professional playing career in the sport by entering Major League Soccer (MLS). LeBlanc has signed a contract with MLS and will await his selection in the upcoming Eighth Annual MLS SuperDraft on January 17, 2003 at the Kansas City Convention Center.
I heard this back during the ACC Tourney but I just couldn't believe it. I'm happy for Jake but amazed that a very average college player who is playing an attacking mf role and doesn't score a goal all year would be P-40 material. It will be very interesting to see where he is drafted even with the no cap/no roster count status of Project 40. A player can only go P-40 if a couple of teams commit to drafting that player so somebody must want him.
Re: Re: Virginia Junior Jacob LeBlanc signs with MLS Regarding the 'average college player' comment. This is all pure speculation, but here goes: He plays with Kenny Arena, which means Bruce has not only seen him play, but knows all about his personality, etc... If Bruce sees something in this 'average' player that he likes, then at least a couple MLS coaches know about it. Of course if that is true, it doesn't explain why he isn't seeing more time in Nat team age group camps and teams. Of course, it's also possible that MLS coaches have come up with their own opinions based on their own analysis.
Re: Re: Re: Virginia Junior Jacob LeBlanc signs with MLS You points are all possible explanations but I expected to see a player a bit more dominant to be selected for P-40 and I think we all understand Jake doesn't stand out even in a top college game.
Maybe Jake is going to move positions, like to right back or something. This is quite common with college players. He'll be 22 in February, so it sounds like he might already be finished with school or close to it.
Yeah -- this surprised me too and my best guess is that somebody at one (or possibly more) of the teams wanted him.
I didn't see the ACC tournament, so cannot say for sure. Maybe he was impressive as hell there. But from what I've seen of him this past season, he should stay in school. MLS will still be there next season. That and there seem to be a lot of good players with better stats and more accolades in the draft this year so it will be easy to get overlooked.
Man, Courtney, Big Game George and I may be in for a rough fall as UVa could be hur-ting next year as they will be minus six starters from this year's team: Eskandarian (P40), LeBlanc (P40), Cole (Sr.), Comfort (Sr.), Arena (Sr.) and Gibbs (Sr.) That's both starting forwards, the starting center mids one of the center backs and the GK. That is a lot to replace in 1 recruiting class, especially when some of the recruits are from the U17 team and will miss all of August and perhaps some of September at the U17 World Championship in Finald. Here's hoping Paul Johnson and Joe Vide really step up!
All I have to say is that I hope he either pulls it together, or comes from money. Occasionally LeBlanc would have a really good game. Like maybe 1 of every 5. The other four he would be really slow, make unnecessary fouls, etc etc. Picked up a few reds early last season, and more than once my mom turned to me and said "is he hung over or something?" If he tried really hard he could do alright with MLS, but the question is will he be able to take it up a notch? Without this news, I was more worried about next season. Paul Johnson, without a doubt, will do well for us next year, as will Vide. I'm hoping Vide put on a little weight though, I'd hate to see him get hurt. I'll come back for more later.
I do. He's turned into a pretty good player and has a lot of heart. Cantona, I don't. P-40 gives them one year right? I imagine that will be it.
What? Kenny has to play d-mid because he needs cover, no one would want him as their last line of defense. Will he get a chance in the league...well yes...check the kid's last name. Centerback is out of the question, he hasn't played there on any level for many reasons but the primary one being a lack of speed.
Re: What? No way in hell does he make it at dmid because his ball skills are not good enough, hence take a shot at center back. A lot of teams wouldn't want Jim Curtin, Alexi Lalas or Chad McCartney(sic) as their last line of defense either, but they are quite capable at their role. They use their ability to read the game to prevent people from getting behind them.
Arena pressure Jake LeBlanc is in the P-40 for one reason Bruce Arena. He still has strong ties to UVA and has obviously called in a few favors to get Jake in. The league requires at least two clubs to commit to drafting a player before they sign him so look for Jake to go to NY/NJ or Chicago where coaches do what Bruce asks. Bruce got two other players into the league with DCU, Jose Chino Algeria & Sergio Salas, who played club ball with his son Kenny and that didn't worked out either although Chino is still in the league as bench sitter.