The following report is a press release from Toronto FC (www.torontofc.ca)
TORONTO FC SELECT TSUBASA ENDOH IN 2016 MLS SUPERDRAFT.
Toronto FC announced Thursday that the club selected midfielder Tsubasa Endoh (9th Overall) in the First Round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Endoh, 22, spent the last four seasons at the University of Maryland. He appeared in 85 matches, registering 12 goals and 16 assists for the Terrapins. He was named the MVP of the 2016 adidas MLS Player Combine. During his collegiate career he earned Big Ten Championship Most Valuable Offensive Player, Second Team All-Big Ten Selection and was named Big Ten Conference Player to watch. Endoh has represented the Japanese Men’s National team at the U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15 and U-17 levels.
TSUBASA ENDOH
Position: Midfielder Height: 5’7
Weight: 141
Birthdate: August 20, 1993
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Nationality: Japanese
Last Club: University of Maryland
How Acquired: Selected in the First Round (9th Overall) in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft
Pronunciation: SOO-BAH-SAH ENN-DO
-TORONTO FOOTBALL CLUB-
Toronto staff were vocal about the excitement in selecting Endoh with the 9th overall pick. Head coach Greg Vanney heralded Endoh as being “the best all around soccer player in the draft”. According to Vanney, Toronto had Endoh high on their list even before the combine. However, their positive reports were further reinforced when Endoh was named the MLS player combine MVP. Vanney also seemed to suggest that Endoh will compete for a roster spot on the first team this season.
When asked about his style of play, Endoh compared himself to an energetic box-to-box midfielder with a strong engine. He even named Michael Bradley as a player he compares himself to.
Endoh made 20 appearances in his freshmen season in Maryland, and by the time he was a sophomore, he was a regular starter on the team. Last season, Endoh had 5 goals and 5 assists in 22 appearances.
