Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu is a top contender to win the MLS rookie of the year award. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

Deciding to forgo his final year of collegiate eligibility to pursue a professional soccer career was the most difficult decision of Maurice Edu's life.

And is Toronto FC ever glad he did.

The former University of Maryland standout has been one of the few bright spots on the field for Toronto during its inaugural season in Major League Soccer, winning praise for his poised and mature play.

Edu is tied for second in team scoring with three goals, he's proven to be a talented playmaker, and he's logged 1,460 minutes of playing time. Only captain Jim Brennan (1,890) and Carl Robinson (1,710) have seen more action for Toronto.

At the start of 2007, the 21-year-old native of Fontana, Calif., was a junior in college, pursuing a general business degree. Today, the midfielder is being touted as one of the brightest young stars in American soccer and is a leading contender to win the MLS rookie-of-the-year award.

It speaks volumes about the faith Toronto coach Mo Johnston has in Edu, that he's played the youngster in the centre of midfield -- an important position, especially for an expansion franchise.

After missing the first two games of the season with a nagging groin injury, Edu has since established himself as a regular in Toronto's starting lineup and the driving force in the team's midfield engine room, but he is quick to credit his teammates for whatever success he's achieved so far in his rookie campaign.

"It's a big responsibility but I think the guys have embraced me and helped me make my transition easier and lot more comfortable," Edu told CBCSports.ca.

"The guys they have around me are great because they're all coaching me on and off the field, and I think their experience as players has helped my development."

His partner in the centre of midfield, Welshman Carl Robinson, calls Edu a "human sponge" because he soaks up every bit of knowledge he can from his more experienced teammates.

"I said right from the first game I played with him, the good thing about Mo is that he listens, he wants to learn and everybody knows he's going to be a fantastic player," Robinson said.

"He's a good player at the moment, but he's a young player and he's still learning. He has all the attributes to go to the top; each game he's gaining experience."

"He plays the game as though he's been playing for years," Robinson added.

Ability, vision praised

The scouting report on Edu coming out of Maryland was that he was an outstanding defensive midfielder, but the youngster has demonstrated remarkable offensive and creative skills for Toronto.

Robinson has been impressed with Edu's passing ability and vision, while Johnston believes the young American has developed into an effective two-way midfielder, just like two of his favourite players - Inter Milan's Patrick Viera and Chelsea star Michael Essien.

"His greatest strength is his ability to run at [defenders] and take them on, and break up plays," Johnston said.

Still, Edu has been prone to make rookie mistakes.

Edu has shown his inexperience by picking up needless yellow and red cards that have resulted in him missing two games through suspension. The timing of both suspensions couldn't have been worse, as Toronto was missing five regular starters through injuries at the time, and Edu received sharp criticism from Johnston.

"He is young and he's got to learn to stay away from game situations where he could get a yellow card," Johnston said. "But do I think he has a future in the MLS? Absolutely. I wouldn't have picked him first overall this year if I didn't. He is going to be a great player for a long time in this league."

Maurice Edu is greeted by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, right, after he was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by Toronto FC in the MLS SuperDraft. (Tom Strattman/Associated Press)

Edu may become the cornerstone of the franchise a few years down the road, but the rookie will never forget that moment in January when league commissioner Dan Garber announced Toronto FC had selected him first overall at the MLS SuperDraft in Indianapolis.

"Excitement, relief, joy … A lot of emotions were going on at that time. I was so happy, so thankful and so grateful for the opportunity," Edu said.

He opted not to return to the University of Maryland for his senior year, bringing to a close an outstanding career as one of the top collegiate players in the U.S. He was a first-team NCAA all-American and a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy (college soccer's player of the year) in 2006, one year after he helped the Terrapins win a national championship.

With nothing left to prove and with the encouragement of Maryland coach Sasho Cirovski, Edu announced last December his intention to skip his senior year and turn pro. A month later, Toronto drafted him No. 1.

"I was enjoying things at Maryland, we had a great program, but when this opportunity came up I thought it was the right time to leave," Edu said of his decision to leave school early. "Pro soccer is what I always wanted to do so I figured, why not seize the moment and take advantage of my opportunity and try to make the most of it?"

Edu has made the most of it, so much so that the buzz in the press box amongst reporters who cover the team regularly is that Edu is too good to be playing in MLS and that it's only a matter of time before he signs with a European club.

Edu doesn't deny that he aspires to play in Europe some day, but he maintains that he's young and still needs to improve his game before he can start to entertain thoughts about playing abroad.

"Ultimately I want to play in Europe. Right now I'm happy where I'm at, though. I'm happy with Toronto, and I fell very comfortable and at home here. So for now, things are good," Edu said.