Tsubasa Endoh

PLAYER PROFILE:  TSUBASA ENDOH

By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)

Position: Midfielder
Primary Role: Central Midfielder
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 141
DOB: 08/20/1993
Nationality: Japan
Preferred Footed: Right
Club: Toronto FC (MLS)
Twitter: @tsubasagg

Played for Japan U15, U16, U17 Youth Teams.

Drafted by Toronto FC 9^th Overall in 2016 MLS SuperDraft.

2012: Maryland (NCAA – D1) – 20 games, 4 starts, 2 goals, 3 assists, 10 shots on target      
2013: Maryland (NCAA – D1) – 26 games, 25 starts, 3 goals, 6 assists, 10 shots on target     
2014: Maryland (NCAA – D1) – 16 games, 16 starts, 2 goals, 2 assists, 13 shots on target, 1 red
2015: Maryland (NCAA – D1) – 23 games, 23 starts, 5 goals, 5 assists, 25 shots on target, 1 yellow

A Japanese youth international who played for the JFA Academy up to the age of 17. Tsubasa played high school soccer with Yashuito Nakata and won his prefecture league championship although was not offered a contract with a Japanese Professional Club.

Endoh decided to attend Maryland at 20 years old, where Maryland coach Sasho Cirovski said “Tsubasa is a very special player and has an advance knowledge of the game. He has the making of having a big impact on our program during his career.” As a freshman Endoh mostly came off the bench, but established himself as a starter during Maryland National Championship run. He also played a key role as a senior. In total Tsubasa played 85 games with the Terps starting 68 games. He scored 12 goals and added 16 direct assists. He was voted second team All-Big Ten as a senior and Big Ten Tournament MVP in 2015.

Endoh is a possession based midfielder/winger who his comfortable on the ball and in short passing situations. He also has a good shot, which he can hit from distance. Tsubasa is small 5’7”/141 and depends on craftiness and experience of his international background to allow himself to make an impact. A solid player in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, Toronto FC surprised many by taking him 9^th overall. Opinion against the pick was Endoh being Japanese he counts as an international player and doesn’t have a specific position.

After a strong 2016 pre-season, Endoh signed a MLS contract for the 2016 season with Toronto FC who look like they are going to use him as a wide player

+ Played Youth soccer in Japan
+ Played in the Japanese National Youth Program
+ Played four seasons with Maryland in NCAA Division 1
+ Made the 2013 NCAA Division 1 National Championship Game with Maryland
+ Drafted 9^th Overall in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft