Olympian Profile: Maurice Edu – University of Maryland Athletics

Maurice Edu represented the United States men’s soccer team at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Edu played in three games as a center-back. Besides the Olympics, Edu played in a total of 46 games for the United States national team. He appeared at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and made the provisional roster for the World Cup in 2014.

Maurice Edu had a notable career at the University of Maryland, where he played for the Terrapins men’s soccer team from 2004-06. He helped the team reach the NCAA College Cup in his freshman year. During his junior year, Edu led the Terrapins to their first-ever NCAA Championship in 2005. He earned numerous accolades, including being named an NSCAA First Team All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. 

Drafted number one overall by Toronto FC in the 2007 MLS Draft, Edu was named Rookie of the Year. Edu played for Toronto for two years before joining the Scottish Premier League. He played for the Rangers in Scotland, winning numerous league trophies and becoming a team icon. In 2014, Edu decided to rejoin the MLS with the Philadelphia Union. He played for the Union for three years and 22 games before declining another season with the MLS in 2017.  

Since retiring from soccer, Edu has become a motivational speaker and soccer analyst. Edu has worked as a commentator for Fox Sports, an analyst for CBS Sports, and a color analyst for Atlanta United. Edu has brought knowledge and experience to every organization he has been associated with. He has also used his platforms to support and serve youth development programs and initiatives to grow the sport in underserved communities.