[MLS] D.C. United signed Maryland sophomore Ethan White as its fourth homegrown player. The 19-year-old defender is the first college player to bypass the MLS SuperDraft and sign with an MLS team on the basis of his participation in its academy program.

White joins 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year Andy Najar, goalkeeper Bill Hamid and midfielder Conor Shanosky as D.C. homegrown players. Only FC Dallas has signed as many academy players. MLS signing rules were relaxed in 2010 to allow clubs to sign as many homegrown players as they want.

"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 D.C. United coach Ben Olsen in a press release. "This is another example of how far our academy system has come, and Ethan has improved immensely at the University of Maryland."

White started 20 matches in 2010 for the Terps, who tied a program record with 15 shutouts.

He played with Terrapin teammate Zac MacMath on the U.S. U-20 squad that captured the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland last summer.

MacMath has also reportedly left school to turn pro.