Jan. 27, 1998

Maryland's Cooks Assigned to D.C. United by Project 40

By John Haydon
Washington Times

Judah Cooks

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Judah Cooks, a junior midfielder from the University of Maryland who decided to turn professional last week, was assigned to D.C. United yesterday through Major League Soccer's Project 40.

"I'm extremely excited," Cooks said. "It's where I wanted to be. I was born and raised on Capitol Hill, so I'm really excited to be playing in D.C."

Another Terp player, starting goalie Andy Kirk, was assigned to the San Jose Clash yesterday.

Cooks, 21, helped the Terps reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year. The former standout at Whitman High School in Bethesda played on the U-17 national team in the 1993 world championships in Japan, where he scored three goals in a 5-1 victory over Qatar.

He scored 12 goals in 52 games in his three years at Maryland.

"I believe he has great promise as a professional player, and his entrance into MLS through the Project 40 program is ideal," United coach Bruce Arena said.

Cooks is the second player in less than a month to join D.C. United through Project 40. Forward Ben Olsen, a junior from Virginia, was assigned to United on January 30.

Cooks said yesterday that he believes he will play more of a defensive role with United.

"I played basically an attacking role in college," Cooks said, "but I think I'll probably fit in better in the back with all the great forward players we have here."