Former Maryland defenseman Donovan Pines has officially signed a homegrown contract with DC United, officially foregoing his final year of eligibility, the club announced Wednesday.
The Washington Post’s Steven Goff first reported that Pines would be pursuing opportunities on Jan. 8, and reported 10 days later that he had reached a deal with United. He joins goalie Dayne St. Clair as the second Terp to forgo his final year of eligibility.
The 6’5 centerback was a graduate of the team’s academy, which allowed United to exempt him from this year’s MLS SuperDraft, in which four of Piness teammates were drafted in the first two rounds. St. Clair, along with seniors Amar Sejdic, Chase Gasper and Andrew Samuels, were all selected.
Pines has anchored Maryland’s back line the past two seasons, anchoring a defense that didn’t allow a goal during the Terps national championship run. He was a First Team All-Big Ten selection and was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s Best XI First Team. Pines also scored a crucial goal in the 79th minute of Maryland’s 2-0 win over No. 2-seed Indiana in the College Cup semifinal.
According to Goff, Pines is likely to start his career with Loudoun United, which is DC United’s USL affiliate.
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1.29.19 | ALL RED#FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/HtKyr9a9WY
— Maryland Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) January 23, 2019
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2019 verbal commits Jordan Houston and Kam Blount both had in-home visits with Maryland’s coaching staff yesterday.
Had a GREAT IN HOME VISIT with @UMDCoachBrooks and @CoachLocks today!
— Jordan Houston (@usmigo) January 24, 2019
Great home visit with @CoachLocks & @UMDCoachBrooks ✌
— kam (@kameronblount4) January 24, 2019