D.C. United's rebuilding project took another step forward on Tuesday with word that the club has signed Maryland defender Ethan White as a Homegrown Player.
A centerback/right back prospect, White had been regarded as one of the best defenders in the nation and a top MLS Draft prospect before signing with D.C. United as a product of the team's Academy system. Rated as the No. 14 draft prospect on SBI's most recent Draft Big Board, White will expected to compete for playing time right away.
White joins Andy Najar, Bill Hamid and Conor Shanosky as one of D.C. United's four Homegrown Players. D.C. United has already added midfielder Dax McCarty this off-season and also holds the No. 3 pick in the 2011 MLS Draft.
White may not be the only Maryland player heading to an MLS team as a Homegrown Player. The New York Red Bulls are seriously considering signing midfielder Matt Kassel as its own Homegrown Player.
Maryland is also set to lose goalkeeper Zac MacMath, who is prepared to leave school to begin his professional career. Terrapins forward Casey Townsend is another possible defection as he is on the MLS Generation adidas radar.
What do you think of D.C. signing White? Starting to think United can turn things around in 2011 after posting the worst record in MLS in 2010?
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