July 27, 2009

ROCKVILLE, Md. - After earning his bachelor's degree from George Mason University in the spring of 2009, Clifton, N.J. native Jonathan Borrajo wasted little time moving on to a career in professional soccer, inking a deal with Real Maryland FC, a USL Division II team headquartered in nearby Rockville, Md.

After signing on with Real Maryland FC, Borrajo made a smooth transition to the pro game and cracked the Monarchs' starting defensive lineup immediately. A team captain, Borrajo has started each of the team's 16 matches without missing a single minute of action, leading the team in both matches played and minutes played. A standout on the field, Borrajo was named to the USL Division II Team of the Week earlier this season.

"John has had a very strong season so far," said Real Maryland FC Head Coach Anthony Hudson. "His attitude and work ethic is superb. We've had a lot of changes to our back line this season, but John has played in every single minute so far which says a great deal about him as a player and person."

It has been a year full of accolades for Borrajo, who capped his senior season at George Mason with a selection to the CAA All-Conference Second Team. He also earned CAA All-Tournament Team honors for helping lead the Patriots to their fifth conference title in the history of the program and the first since the conference adopted the tournament format beginning with the 1990 season. George Mason, which finished the 2008 season ranked 19th by Soccer America and 24th by College Soccer News, earned its second NCAA Tournament berth in the past three years, losing to the eventual national champion, the University of Maryland, in the second round. The leadership of Borrajo, a four-year starter at George Mason, was vital to the Patriots' success.

"Jonathan Borrajo is one of the most special people that I have had the opportunity to work with," said George Mason University Men's Soccer Head Coach Greg Andrulis. "His leadership skills and charisma are off the charts. John will be successful at whatever he chooses to do. It is no surprise that he is currently having an outstanding season as a first-year pro, and I'm sure he will have many more successful seasons in the future."

Four more regular-season matches remain in Borrajo's first professional season, with two of those taking place at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Md., the home field of Real Maryland FC. The Monarchs are currently in fifth place in the standings with a 7-8-1 record and 22 points.