Report: Bethesda product Paul Torres to leave Maryland, go pro

The Washington Examiner’s Craig Stouffer reported on Tuesday that University of Maryland midfielder and Bethesda, Md. native Paul Torres is planning to leave College Park in order to pursue a professional career after two years at the NCAA level.

A standout in D.C. United’s youth academy and a member of the club’s new Under-23 squad this summer, the Walt Whitman High School graduate performed well in limited action for the Terrapins, making 40 appearances and 13 starts in two seasons. He notched five goals and four assists for Maryland in 2010.

Because of his time in the United system, the Black-and-Red own Torres’ MLS rights should he decide to enter the league, but Stouffer claims that D.C. have no plans to sign him at this time.

The Venezuelan-born playmaker was named United’s U-16 Player of the Year and made the U.S. Soccer Development Academy First XI in 2008, helped Walt Whitman win three state championships during his high school years and has spent time in the U.S. youth national team system.