Mauricio Pineda has yet to ink a professional contract but, according to MLSsoccer.com's Will Parchman, already rates favorably among the best young defenders within the MLS landscape.
Pineda, a highly regarded product of the Chicago Fire Academy youth development system, is currently wrapping up his freshman year at the University of North Carolina. Pineda shined in his rookie season with the Tar Heels, playing in all 21 matches with 16 starts and earning ACC All-Freshman Team recognition.
Below is Parchman's full take on the Bolingbrook, Ill. native, who has trained extensively with the Chicago Fire first team in recent seasons:
There’s exactly one current college player on this list, and there’s a reason it’s Mauricio Pineda.