Jeremy Ebobisse: The Possible First Pick for the Loons

Jeremy Ebobisse is one of the most coveted players in this year’s SuperDraft. A goal scorer with a quick mind and a delightful bag of tricks to go along with it, he has the potential to be a very exciting player for any franchise in the league, especially for the team holding the first pick... wink wink

The former Duke striker left college early to sign with MLS in August. While awaiting the draft, he has spent time this season playing in the USL while also getting some U.S. U-20 call-ups.

The 19 year-old from Bethesda, Maryland has a staggering eight goals from just nine appearances with the U-20’s, including a hat-trick against the Netherlands last fall. He has been a consistent feature of Manager Tab Ramos’s squads, and is already becoming familiar with the game at the international level.

At Duke, Ebobisse played 38 games (30 starts) as a forward, producing nine goals and seven assists. He looks to be an impressively complete forward, able to hold up play and bring in his teammates with a wide range of passing, or willing to make dangerous runs in behind the defense.

Ebobisse has drawn many comparisons to another forward Adrian Heath will be familiar with: Cyle Larin. Larin was selected first overall in the SuperDraft by Heath’s Orlando City in their inaugural MLS season. The forward from the University of Connecticut would go on to win Rookie of the Year and is already in the discussion for the greatest Canadian soccer player of all time.

There are some similarities between the two. They both played college soccer out east and had similar final seasons in college; Larin scored nine and setting up three while Ebobisse score seven and set up four. Both left college after two years. And they are both youth internationals for their respective countries. Perhaps they will even be drafted by the same coach.

It would be unfair on him to expect Ebobisse to be Cyle Larin. The Canadian has a slightly larger build than his American counterpart, and his success was nearly unprecedented. With the signing of Christian Ramirez rumored to be on the horizon, Ebobisse would have time to develop, should MNUFC select him. But the potential is there for him to contribute to the team immediately, should we need him.

Do you want United to pick “Jebo”? Have someone else you’re interested in? Let us know in the comments below!