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MLS invites 50 seniors to 2014 adidas Player Combine

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By FRANCO PANIZO

The MLS offseason is not even a full three days old yet, but teams can already begin preparing for the 2014 adidas MLS Player Combine.

MLS released details about its annual combine on Wednesday afternoon, including the dates of the event and the names of 50 NCAA Division 1 seniors that have been invited to participate. Some of the more notable names on the list for the combine, which runs from Jan. 10-14 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., are 2012 Hermann Trophy winner Patrick Mullins of Maryland and Georgetown player Steve Neumann.

NCAA Division 1 alternates, Generation adidas signings, youth internationals and other eligible players will be announced in the coming weeks. Top players from the first Caribbean player combine will also be added after that competition wraps up in January.

A committee of NCAA Division 1 coaches from every conference and MLS representatives selected the invitees, all of whom completed their college eligibility this season.

The 2014 MLS SuperDraft will take place in Philadelphia, Pa. on Jan. 16.

Here is the full list of 50 invited seniors:

Reinaldo Brenes University of Akron F San Jose, Costa Rica
Robert Derschang University of Akron D/M Englewood, Colo.
Aodhan Quinn University of Akron M San Diego, Calif.
Eric Stevenson University of Akron M Columbus, Ohio
Steve Birnbaum University of California, Berkeley D Irving, Calif.
Alec Sundly University of California, Berkeley M Capistrano Beach, Calif.
Ryan Neil University of California, Berkeley M Mission Viejo, Calif.
Enrique Cardenas University of California, Irvine F Coachella, Calif.
Victor Chavez University of California, Los Angeles F Fontana, Calif.
Victor Munoz University of California, Los Angeles M Madrid, Spain
Mackenzie Pridham California Polytechnic State University F Toronto, Ontario
Kingsley Baiden University of California, Santa Barbara M Ajumako, Ghana
Tyler Gibson University of Charlotte M Knoxville, Tenn.
Thomas McNamara Clemson University M West Nyack, N.Y.
Pedro Ribeiro Coastal Carolina University M/F Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Kees Heemskerk College of Charleston GK Zaandam, Netherlands
Mamadou Diouf University of Connecticut F Dakar, Senegal
George Fochive University of Connecticut M Paris, France
Zach Bolden University of Denver M/F Denver, Colo.
Daniel Lovitz Elon University M Wyndmoor, Pa.
Joey Dillon Georgetown University D/M Rochester Hills, Mich.
Steve Neumann Georgetown University M/F New Hope, Pa.
Kristopher Tyrpak Houston Baptist University F Dripping Springs, Texas
Jacob Bushue Indiana University D Champaign, Ill.
AJ Corrado Indiana University M Zionsville, Ind.
Nikita Kotlov Indiana University M Indianapolis, Ind.
Harrison Petts Indiana University M Zionsville, Ind.
Jimmy Ockford University of Louisville D Yardley, Pa.
Patrick Mullins University of Maryland F New Orleans, La.
Pete Caringi University of Maryland Baltimore County F Perry Hall, Md.
Kadeem Dacres University of Maryland Baltimore County M Rosedale, N.Y.
Mark Sherrod University of Memphis F Knoxville, Tenn.
Kevin Cope Michigan State University D Canton, Mich.
Michael Calderon University of New Mexico M San Jose, Costa Rica
Michael Kafari University of New Mexico M Accra, Ghana
Kyle Venter University of New Mexico D Aurora, Colo.
Alex Martinez North Carolina State University M/F Rock Hill, S.C.
Fabian Otte North Carolina State University GK Muenster, Germany
Grant Van de Casteele University of Notre Dame D Plano, Texas
Rafael Diaz St. John’s University GK Rockaway, N.J.
Adnan Gabeljic Saint Louis University F St. Louis, Mo.
Alex Sweetin Saint Louis University M Overland Park, Kan.
Ben Sweat University of South Florida D Palm Harbor, Fla.
JJ Koval Stanford University M Camarillo, Calif.
Romena Bowie Virginia Commonwealth University M/F Saint Mary, Jamaica
Luca Gimenez Wake Forest University M/F Sao Paulo, Brazil
Jared Watts Wake Forest University M Statesville, N.C.
Taylor Peay University of Washington D Salt Lake City, Utah
Spencer Richey University of Washington GK Seattle, Wash.
Nick Hagglund Xavier University D Cincinnati, Ohio

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What do you think of the list of invited seniors? Think there is anyone that was include/omitted that should not be? Which prospects excite you the most?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Very surprised not to see the Big West Defensive POY Marco Franco excluded as well as UCLA’s 4 year starting CB Joe Sofia. Midfielder Zach Barnes from Creighton was also a curious omission given Cal midfielder Neil and UCLA Munoz being both included.

    I Wouldn’t be surprised to see these three omissions still be drafted with a number of attendees playing themselves out of consideration at the combine.

    Thoughts?

    Reply
    • They all compete together. They are just still deciding on which underclassman are getting generation addidas contracts. They divide up into four teams with various names like “adizerro or addipure”. Also, some foreigners are invited . And the games should be available via internet stream.

      Reply

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