D.C. United announced today the club has signed 19-year-old Academy product Ethan White. The defender becomes the fourth Homegrown player on United’s roster, joining 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year Andy Najar, goalkeeper Bill Hamid, and midfielder Conor Shanosky. White progressed from United’s Academy to the University of Maryland, where he played the past two seasons, starting 43 matches during that period.
“We have been following Ethan for a long time with our Academy and at the University of Maryland, and we think he is a great prospect for this club,” said United Head Coach Ben Olsen. “This is another example of how far our Academy system has come, and Ethan has improved immensely at the University of Maryland.”
“We are pleased to have signed Ethan as our fourth Homegrown Academy player,” said United General Manager Dave Kasper. “We look forward to seeing Ethan grow within our club, he has great potential, and we know he will be a fine professional at D.C. United.”
A native of Kensington, Md., White was a stalwart defender for United’s U-18 Academy side before joining the Maryland Terrapins. As a freshman in 2009, White was one of only three players to start all 23 matches for Maryland. He was second on the team in minutes played (2,003), and for his efforts he was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team following his first season.
White built upon his freshman success in 2010 by starting 20 matches for Maryland, missing three contests through injury. From his centerback position, White led Maryland into the NCAA Tournament with shutout wins over Penn and Penn State before losing to the University of Michigan to exit the tourney. White helped the Terps equal the program-best mark of 15 shutouts in a season, and the defender was named to the All-ACC Second Team.
White is currently part of the United States Youth National Team player pool. He has been named to Thomas Rongen’s U.S. U-20 side in 2010, including a call-up for the prestigious Milk Cup in Northern Ireland. At this tournament the United States defeated Northern Ireland to claim the trophy, with White featuring alongside fellow United Academy product Conor Shanosky.
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Name: Ethan White
Position: D
Jersey number: TBD
Height: 6-0
Weight: 183 pounds
Citizenship: U.S.
Hometown: Kensington, Md.
Acquired: Signed on December 14, 2010
