University of California Graduate Heads To France...

Andrew Jacobson has decided to sign with FC Lorient of the French football league instead of MLS and DC United who drafted him. So far as I know, he is the first drafted player to sign outside of MLS, however I expect a few more to announce their intentions to spurn MLS.

To me, this isn't a huge loss. On the one hand you are losing a player with a lot of potential, on the other it will give someone else trying to get noticed by DC United a chance. Truthfully, there was little chance for Jacobson to feature in the heavily South American DC United roster. Of all MLS teams, DC probably has the most crowded roster. Jacobson is chasing a dream, good luck to him.

Above I said it will give another guy a chance. I really do believe for the young American's trying to play professional soccer when one door closes another opens. Here's a great interview with Colorado Rapids player Stephen Keel. While many people have trashed the Rapids 2008 draft, the Rapids have a wider approach to signing players. After two years with the reserve team it looks like Keel should be getting more playing time in 2008...and they didn't even draft him.