University of Maryland’s Di Rosa brothers opting out of NCAA season to join MLS clubs

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland men’s soccer players Matt Di Rosa and Ben Di Rosa will opt out of the 2021 NCAA season and join their MLS clubs for the start of preseason training in February.

“I’m thrilled to see Ben and Matt begin their journey as professional athletes,” head coach Sasho Cirovski said. “While we would’ve loved to have had them for one more season, they are more than ready for this next step. They have both represented our program incredibly well on the field and in the classroom. I can’t wait to watch them make their mark as the latest Terps to enter Major League Soccer.”

Matt Di Rosa was selected by Toronto FC as the 25th overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 21. One of the top left backs in the nation in 2019, Di Rosa started all 21 matches for the Terps and notched two assists. As a sophomore in 2018, Di Rosa was a jack of all trades for Maryland’s national championship winning side, making 12 starts. He scored the game winning goal in Maryland’s win over Indiana in the national semifinal.

[+READ: Full results from the 2021 MLS SuperDraft]

For his career, Di Rosa played in 46 matches and made 36 starts. Di Rosa was also a standout off the field, earning CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-American honors in 2019 and the 2018 NCAA Elite 90 Award. He was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. He played his youth soccer at Bethesda SC.

“College Park has become a second home and I’ll forever be grateful to my teammates, Sasho and the entire coaching staff, and the best fans in college soccer.” Matt Di Rosa said. “I am so proud to have been a part of such a great organization. I’m excited to start a new chapter of my life in Toronto, but I’ll always be a Terp.”

Ben was taken 44th overall by New York City FC in last week’s SuperDraft. A two-year starter for the Terps at right back, he started all 21 matches in 2019 and added a goal and two assists.

He teamed with current MLS stars Donovan Pines, Dayne St. Clair and Chase Gasper to help form the backbone of Maryland’s title winning defense that did not give up a goal in the entirety of the 2018 NCAA Tournament. He was named to the 2018 College Cup All-Tournament Team. For his career, Di Rosa appeared in 54 matches with 37 starts. Like his brother, Ben was a standout in the classroom as a three-time All-Big Ten Academic selection.

“My time in College Park has been an unbelievable journey.” Ben Di Rosa said. “Many of my best memories have come in a Maryland jersey, and that’s a result of Sasho and my incredible teammates and coaches at the University of Maryland. I am incredibly excited to start my professional journey with NYCFC. As I begin that new chapter, I can’t wait to support my brothers at Maryland and watch the team compete this Spring and beyond.”

The Di Rosa brothers became the 48th and 49th Terps selected in the MLS SuperDraft and also made history as the first set of twins ever picked in the SuperDraft.

Maryland’s 2021 squad will begin its season on Feb. 19 at Penn State. The Terps will play a 10-match Big Ten schedule before postseason play.