Two months ago, the Michigan men’s soccer team reached its greatest heights and the future looked bright. Today, one decision has shaken the team to its core.

Soony Saad, the Wolverines’ star freshman forward, left the University after the fall term in pursuit of a professional career in Europe.

Michigan coach Steve Burns, who has led the program since its inception in 2000, saw Saad set record numbers never before seen in Ann Arbor, lest by a freshman. His first public response to his star player leaving was short and sweet.

"Soony feels that now is the right time for him to pursue his lifelong dream of playing professionally overseas," Burns said. "We wish him the best in all of his future endeavors."

Burns has said he will not comment on Saad’s departure again, per team policy. But the message is clear.

When Saad did not show interest in going to the MLS after the season, Burns, the Michigan Ultras and many followers of college soccer assumed Saad would be back for a sophomore campaign. Early rankings had Michigan among the favorites to push for the NCAA title.

Saad’s departure has thrown that all into flux. Along with senior forward Justin Meram’s move to the MLS’s Columbus Crew, the Wolverines are now without 36 of their 53 goals from last season. Michigan is in the hunt for strikers, but with none listed in the incoming freshman class, sophomores-to-be Ezekiel Harris and Malcolm Miller will have to step up.

For Burns, Europe has become a poacher of his talents. Not only is Saad being looked at by clubs in Germany and Belgium, but top 2011 signee Sean Cunningham, a left back, passed over the Wolverines for Norwegian side Molde FK.

Saad enters the pro rank trying to beat a miserable Michigan soccer alumni tradition. Before 2011, six players had been drafted into MLS, with none achieving regular starting jobs. Perhaps the most sobering example for Saad is that of forward Peri Marošević. Drafted No. 5 overall by FC Dallas in 2009, Marošević has only played four times in league play for Dallas.

Saad is undoubtedly a “hot” commodity among some of Europe's elite clubs. He may be the first national star to come out of Burns’s program or he could go the way of his Wolverine predecessors. Either way, his Michigan teammates and club supporters will miss No. 8 up top next fall.