Minnesota United FC, which holds the top pick in January's Major League Soccer SuperDraft, held an audition this week for a player considered a top prospect.
Jeremy Ebobisse is a 19-year-old forward who played two seasons at Duke before signing an MLS contract. The league loaned him to Charleston of the United Soccer League.
He trained with the Loons at the National Sports Center in Blaine. Watching on Wednesday from the press box was Minnesota United owner Bill McGuire, sporting director Manny Lagos and recently appointed academy director Tim Carter.
"He's a smart young man with a great personality," Lagos said. "It was a unique situation that allows him to train with us."
Ebobisse scored seven goals in 19 matches as a sophomore at Duke and earned all-ACC honors. He tallied a goal and an assist in five matches with Charleston this season before joining the U.S. Under-20 national team for the Four Nations Tournament in England. He tallied a hat trick in a 5-3 loss to the Netherlands.
United FC veterans came away impressed by a younger player who could be a key part of the club's move to MLS next season.
"He's good finisher," said Christian Ramirez, the North American Soccer League leader with 18 goals this season. "You can see he's got a knack for goals."
"He's a good young player," defender Justin Davis said. "You can tell he's a goal scorer. You could see the skill there. If the club decides to go that way, I think he'll be an asset for us."