Donovan Pines

MLS Experience

2021: In his third season with the team, Pines continued to be a reliable piece in the backline for the Black-and-Red. The center back played the full 90 minutes in 14 of the 18 games he played since returning from injury on May 23 against the Philadelphia Union. After overcoming a second injury, Pines returned to the lineup on Sept. 12 against the New York Red Bulls and played in all the remaining matches. The 23-year-old made 18 appearances (16 starts) and logged 1,381 minutes. Pines was named to the MLS Team of the Week in week 30.

2020: After making ten appearances in his first season with the club in 2019, Pines made a huge impact in the D.C. United defense in the 2020 season. The Homegrown center back made 16 appearances (15 starts), played every minute of the last eight matches of the season, and scored three goals. Pines led the team with 23 interceptions and 61 aerial duels won during 2020. His first career professional goal came on an equalizing header in their 2-2 match against the Philadelphia Union on Oct. 14. The defender’s first two career goals came in back-to-back matches after he scored a header against Cincinnati FC on Oct. 18 as well. Scoring twice in the same week earned him a spot in the starting lineup of the Week 19 MLS Team of the Week.

2019: In his rookie season, Pines made ten appearances (nine starts) for the Black-and-Red. Primarily being used in the center of a back three, Pines impressed with his aerial dominance and ability to provide cover for his defensive partners. The 6’5” defender recorded 37 headed clearances and won 40 aerials. The University of Maryland Alumni maintained a passing accuracy of 81%, and recorded one assist for United during the 3-2 victory over Colorado on April 14.

International Experience

Pines represented the United States U-23 squad for two international friendlies in 2019. His debut came in a 2-0 defeat against Egypt’s U23 team where he started and played the first half before being substituted off. The 23-year-old came off the bench to make his second appearance as he helped the United States record a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against the Netherlands U-21 team.

College Experience

Pines played three seasons for the University of Maryland, scoring three goals and recording three assists in 56 appearances (39 starts). During his time with the Terps, Pines helped his squad record 21 clean sheets and averaged 0.77 goals per game. His junior season in 2018 was his most fruitful as a goalscorer, scoring two goals in 22 appearances. He was nominated to the 2018 College Cup All-tournament team on the way to leading Maryland to an NCAA Championship; the fourth College Cup in the program’s history. The team recorded five clean sheets in the final five games including the NCAA Championship match against the University of Akron. Pines played in 17 games alongside current Black-and-Red defender Chris Odoi-Atsem as both players were teammates on the 2016 Maryland Soccer team.

• 2018 College Cup All-Tournament Team

• 2018 United Soccer Coaches Second Team All- American

• 2018 Top Drawer Soccer Best XI First Team

• 2018 United Soccer Coaches First Team All- Region

• 2018 All-Big Ten First Team

• 2017 All-Big Ten Second Team

Acquired

Signed a Homegrown contract with D.C. United on January 18, 2019.