McDonogh grad Murrell to sign with D.C. United, departing Georgetown
Georgetown University forward Jacob Murrell, D.C. United’s first-round draft pick, will forgo his final two years of NCAA eligibility to sign an MLS contract, people close to the matter said Friday.
Many observers, including Hoyas coach Brian Wiese, had expected the 6-foot-3 Murrell to play at least one more college season. But the No. 7 overall selection informed the university Thursday that he was signing with United, one person said.
United and Georgetown officials said they did not want to comment.
Had Murrell not signed, United would have retained his MLS rights through 2025.
Murrell is a McDonogh graduate from Forest Hill who came through Pipeline SC, a Baltimore-area youth program co-founded by former United attacker Santino Quaranta.
He posted seven goals and four assists his freshman year at Georgetown and 11 goals and four assists this past season, including eight goals in the first nine matches. Last summer, Murrell played for the Annapolis Blues in the National Premier Soccer League, a fourth-division amateur circuit.
With six players drafted, the Hoyas had the most selections among the 87 picks. Goalkeeper Ryan Schewe (Sporting Kansas City) was also taken in the first round. Junior defender Kieran Sargeant is expected to sign a homegrown contract with the Houston Dynamo.
The immediate acquisition of Murrell is a small victory for United’s new general manager, Ally Mackay, who is in the process of building the roster after considerable turnover.
Murrell, 19, will join a roster that already features nine players 21 or younger, including forwards Kristian Fletcher, 18, and Ted Ku-DiPietro, 21, and playmaker Gabriel Pirani, 21.
United is expected to introduce Troy Lesesne as head coach next week. The former New York Red Bulls interim boss has agreed to a three-year guaranteed contract, people familiar with the deal said.
Training camp will open on or about Jan. 15 at team headquarters in Leesburg before shifting to Saudi Arabia, then probably South Florida. The season opener is Feb. 24 against the New England Revolution at Audi Field.