Duke in the MLS: Veterans and young stars alike continue to shine ...

While Duke soccer may be in the offseason, several former Blue Devils are kicking off their MLS campaigns. The Blue Zone is here to break down the performances of some key alumni:

Wayne Frederick, Colorado Rapids

Wayne Frederick has dominated at every level of competition in his young career, and has already shown flashes of excellence with the Rapids. After being selected second overall in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, the 19-year-old was loaned out to the club’s second division team. In his first two appearances with Rapids II, Frederick set the tempo in the midfield, showing the poise and confidence Blue Devils fans grew accustomed to during his two years in Durham. He also tallied a goal and an assist across eight appearances with Rapids II, immediately placing himself on the radar of the club’s first team. The inevitable call up came soon after, and the Cabin John, MD., native made his MLS debut on April 13th against the San Jose Earthquakes. Frederick has not appeared in a first division match since then, but his upside as a versatile box-to-box midfielder could prove useful for the slumping Rapids in the latter half of the year.

Sebastien Ibeagha, Dallas FC

A two-time All-ACC First Team selection and the 2012 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Sebastien Ibeagha has cemented himself as a reliable center back option for a veteran FC Dallas squad. Despite missing two games due to calf injury, Ibeagha ranks fourth on the team in both minutes and games started. The Nigerian-born defensive stalwart has also made his presence felt on the attacking front, scoring a game-sealing goal against the Houston Dynamo, the team who he signed his first professional contract with more than a decade prior. Closing in on his 150th MLS appearance, look for the two-time MLS champion to maintain his steadfast performance in the heart of Dallas’ backline.

Jeremy Ebobisse, San Jose Earthquakes

Entering his eighth MLS season, Jeremy Ebobisse has remained a staple in San Jose’s attack. The Cameroonian striker has appeared in 14 out of 17 matches in the 2024 campaign, netting four goals along the way, the second highest on the team. His most recent goal, a sliding left-footed finish against Austin FC, tied him with Landon Donovan for the third most goals in Earthquakes history. While the Quakes have struggled to find the form that led them to the playoffs a season ago, they will likely look towards the experienced target man as they seek to sneak back into the postseason. Just two years removed from a trademark 17 goal season, consider Ebobisse a bounce back candidate during the upcoming match weeks.

Brian White, Vancouver Whitecaps

Brian White, Ebobisse’s Duke strike partner in the 2015 season, reached a multitude of career benchmarks in 2024. After receiving his first call-up to the U.S. national team in January, the Flemington, N.J., native was in Gregg Berhalter’s starting lineup in a friendly against Slovenia. Feeling entrusted by both his club and country, White started the MLS season on red hot form, bagging five goals in his first eight games. His fifth goal also propelled his name into the Whitecaps history books, as he passed Camilo Sanvezzo to become the highest scoring player in the club’s MLS history. Since then, White has been held scoreless in his last eight appearances, but remains the club’s preferred number nine. With Vancouver comfortably in the top half of the Western Conference standings, it’s only a matter of time until White finds his stride once again.