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MLS Combine: Observations after first two rounds of games

Photo by Andy Mead/MLS
Photo by Andy Mead/MLS

LAUDERHILL, Fla. — More goals, less nerves, and better soccer. Day 2 of the 2016 MLS Combine is in the books, and it was drastically better than the first round of matches.

This year’s batch of MLS hopefuls took to the field for their latest opportunity to impress MLS coaches and scouts on Sunday, and not even a lightning delay early into the first game could stop the prospects from delivering improved play. The first match between Team X and Team Control was entertaining and ended in a 2-2 draw, and the second saw Team Chaos edge Team Ace, 2-1, in an affair that lacked sizzle in the second half.

Stocks have gone up and down after two days of action, and here are how some of players have done so far:

Joshua Yaro (Georgetown) – Had a better second day, but still hasn’t wowed in the way you would expect a projected top pick to. It is obvious the physical qualities are there, but he certainly does not look that comfortable on the right flank and questions persist as to whether he has the size to play centerback in MLS.

Richie Laryea (Akron) – Also had an improved Day 2, but still pretty quiet. He cut down on the sloppy giveaways that plagued him on Friday, but the midfielder needs to do more to make an impact on games.

Tyler David (St Louis) – He played right back on Day 1 and held up well, and looked very good at centerback on Day 2. He lost a couple of notable battles on Sunday, one in the air and one on the dribble, but was still mostly stout with his passing and defending.

Chris Hellman (Lynn) – The forward scored both his team’s goals on Friday via classy finishes, and was active again on Day 2. He’s mobile and aggressive in the final third, and looked more comfortable than most on Sunday.

Ivan Magalhaes (Maryland) – Failed to build on his impressive Day 1 showing. It was not that the centeback was poor on Sunday, he just did not stand out the same way he did during the first round of games.

Eric Verso (Stanford) – Two strong days for the Cardinal midfielder. After assisting on his side’s game-winner on Day 1 with some individual brilliance near the end line, he set up another goal from the right and scored a header on Sunday. He also played pretty well throughout the rest of his stint.

Omar Holness (North Carolina) – Has shown flashes in spurts, but still not taken over a game as some might expect from a Generation adidas player. The Jamaican midfielder has been involved and shown forward-thinking in both of his games, however.

Tsubasa Endoh (Maryland) – Plenty of questions about his size and whether he can make the jump to the next level, but the Terrapin midfielder has been one of the better players at the combine. He added to his solid first performance with another good one on Sunday, and coaches are taking notice.

Fabian Herbers (Creighton) – Day 2 was no different than his Day 1, and it showed. Arriving to South Florida after attending Friday’s MAC Hermann Trophy presentation on Friday, Herbers did not find ways to make an impact and was not on the same page with his teammates. A better performance on Tuesday is expected.

Neco Brett (RMU) – Quiet on Friday, but enjoyed a strong first half on Day 2. He exploited the space down the right flank, whipped in several crosses, and looked to pick up confidence every time he got the ball. His work out wide on one play led to a corner kick that resulted in a goal.

Liam Doyle (Ohio State) – A centerback who scores twice in one game will garner attention. He first found the back of the net via a header off a corner kick on Sunday, and then more impressively scored off a well-taken and low free kick. There are concerns he might be too slow for MLS, but he didn’t hurt himself with that showing on Day 2.

Comments

  1. Things that make you go “hmmmmmmm”. If you ignore the obvious references to MLS, there is nothing in this ANALYSIS of college SOCCER players that would tell the reader that we were discussing SOCCER players! Not one (1) reference to passing, trapping, shielding, dribbling, comfort on the ball, etc. If the soccer media doesn’t recognize the importance of soccer-unique skills why should anyone else?

    Reply
    • There are references to that, with the first being passing. There’s also talk about shooting.

      Not sure if you skimmed what you read or were attempting to troll?

      Reply
    • From the analysis:

      “It is obvious the physical qualities are there, but he certainly does not look that comfortable on the right flank and questions persist as to whether he has the size to play centerback. . .”

      “He cut down on the sloppy giveaways that plagued him on Friday. . .”

      “He lost a couple of notable battles on Sunday, one in the air and one on the dribble, but was still mostly stout with his passing and defending.”

      “He’s mobile and aggressive in the final third, and looked more comfortable than most on Sunday.”

      “He exploited the space down the right flank, whipped in several crosses, and looked to pick up confidence every time he got the ball. His work out wide on one play led to a corner kick that resulted in a goal.”

      I could go on. . .

      Reply
      • It is obvious the physical qualities are there, but he certainly does not look that comfortable on the right flank and questions persist as to whether he has the size to play centerback. . .” —FOOTBALL, other than reference to center back

        “He cut down on the sloppy giveaways that plagued him on Friday. . .” — FOOTBALL and BASKETBALL

        “He lost a couple of notable battles on Sunday, one in the air and one on the dribble, but was still mostly stout with his passing and defending.” — BASKETBALL

        “He’s mobile and aggressive in the final third, and looked more comfortable than most on Sunday.” — FOOTBALL

        “He exploited the space down the right flank, whipped in several crosses, and looked to pick up confidence every time he got the ball. His work out wide on one play led to a corner kick that resulted in a goal.” — FOOTBALL or BASKETBALL (excluding references to crosses and corner kicks).
        I COULD GO ON but in your effort to miss the point, this reporter failed to discuss or rate these player’s abilities in what most people would agree are soccer unique!

      • The fact that an analysis of the supposedly premier college soccer players can be made without mentioning the characteristics that make a soccer player great is hardly a “silly criticism”; nor does it make a “troll”. If you think that you can describe the skill sets of Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, etc. in the generic athletic blather used by this reporter, then I’m afraid you’re missing out on what makes soccer the “beautiful game”. (BTW — when that term is used to refer to MLS, FIFA should sue for slander)

    • Hahaha, oh my god. You won’t even accept the conditions you set: passing, dribbling, comfort on the ball. Sorry, but that does make you a troll in this case.

      And you’re acting silly here because the other examples you made of good soccer writing can also be applied to other sports, e.g. trapping in hockey and shielding in hockey, basketball, and football.

      And you’re trying to say that MLS isn’t soccer. I’m sorry, but a small group of kids kicking around a balled up newspaper can be the “beautiful game”. . .that’s part of what makes it beautiful. If you think that term does not apply to MLS, well, I’m sorry you feel that way.

      If you don’t want to be labeled a troll, you should stop visiting this site, where MLS is the first topic at the top of the page, and the writing quality is the writing quality you so despise. (I’m not thrilled with the writing quality here either, but I think your gripe is making a mountain out of a supremely biased molehill.)

      Reply
    • I’m only twenty-nine, which I guess means that you win?

      I’m sorry my comments confused and embarrassed you, that was obviously not my intention.

      I always try to be thoughtful and coherent when I write, so it does disappoint me to hear someone older thinks my thoughts are ignorant and a waste of time. It disappoints me in the aging process.

      I have a little time so I want to subjectively summarize what’s happened here so far. . .

      You wrote:
      “If you ignore the obvious references to MLS, there is nothing in this ANALYSIS of college SOCCER players that would tell the reader that we were discussing SOCCER players! Not one (1) reference to passing, trapping, shielding, dribbling, comfort on the ball, etc.”

      I responded with a few examples from the article that show at least three of those “absent references” you cried for — namely: passing, dribbling, and comfort on the ball.

      You responded by saying that passing, dribbling, and comfort on the ball could all be used in basketball too. Which is correct, but severely undermines the key point of your first post. You also said that MLS isn’t soccer, for some reason.

      I responded that the other two “absent references” you listed in your initial comment could also be used in description of other sports. I also said that MLS is soccer because a small group of kids kicking around a ball of paper is soccer.

      You respond by asking how old I am, stating that I don’t make good sense, that I’m embarrassing, a waste of precious time, and that I can neither read nor write.

      good game.

      Reply
    • college players are NOT your best soccer players, so it is wrong to say that College is holding back our best soccer players! for the most part are good soccer players, but never top level professionals. College is and always will be a mid-level program for student athletes to get an education and for a few lucky ones, end up playing in a top level professional league after finishing college. Most of the DI and DII soccer players will end up playing USL, PDL, or in another country.

      Students make THE CHOICE to attend college to play and study. College soccer does not hold back anyone.

      A good way to look at college soccer is for the late bloomers, athletes who take advantage of the opportunity to earn a degree – while playing the sport they love, or they simply prefer college life and playing soccer BECAUSE that is all they want. Don’t compare college to professional academies. Isn’t designed to compete with professional academies.

      Reply

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