Patrick Mullins passes on MLS offer, will return to Maryland next season

After weighing a Generation adidas contract offer from Major League Soccer, Maryland star Patrick Mullins has elected to stay in school for his senior season with the Terrapins.

The Washington Post’s Steve Goff reports that Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski confirmed Mullins’  decision on Friday morning, signaling welcome news for the defending ACC champions as they look to return to the College Cup in 2013.

A native of New Orleans, La., Mullins is a dedicated student as well as a dangerous striker. His decision means he can earn his undergraduate degree while he and the rest of the Terps attempt to win the national championship that eluded them earlier this month thanks to Georgetown’s scintillating 4-4 overtime/penalty-kick shootout victory in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament in Hoover, Ala.

With this news, as well as the likely continued development of the rest of Cirovski’s deep, talented roster, expect Maryland to be ranked at or near the top of the NCAA heap going into next season