ORLANDO, Fla. – Jeremy Ebobisse’s path into the professional soccer ranks was hardly a conventional one.

Electing to depart Duke University following his sophomore season with the Blue Devils after recording nine goals and seven assists in 38 appearances, Ebobisse signed with Major League Soccer last August. Without a means for competitive top-flight action until being selected in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, however, the young striker was sent on loan to the USL’s Charleston Battery for the remainder of the 2016 season.

As he prepares to represent the United States at the CONCACAF U20 Championship this week, it’s a move Ebobisse believes was the right one.

“It was a unique experience, for sure, and I would definitely not change my decision to sign in August seeing how it turned out the last six months,” Ebobisse said recently. “Having played in the USL, getting that pro experience, it really separated me from a lot of guys in the Draft, and it gave me that unique perspective, playing against men who have been doing this for 5-10 years, some of them, some who have been in and out of MLS, some who have been regular selections for the USL.

“It provided me with a platform to challenge myself a bit more than in college and it’s something that I think has helped me develop into the player that I am right now, and into the player that I’ll be for this U20 team and hopefully the Timbers as well.”