By FRANCO PANIZO
While the 2015 MLS Combine quickly approaches, its list of invited players continues to grow.
MLS announced on Wednesday that it has added nine more college seniors to the original list of 55 invitees for the upcoming combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, including Marquette defender Axel Sjoberg and California forward Stefano Bonomo.
The other late additions are UMBC forward Kay Banjo, Tulsa midfielder Akeil Barrett, Davenport midfielder/forward Dzenan Catic, Coastal Carolina forward Ricky Garbanzo, Pennsylvannia midfielder/forward Markhus Lacroix, Washington goalkeeper Spencer Richey, and Butler midfielder Zach Steinberger.
Additionally, MLS announced that the combine coaching staffs would be comprised of college soccer head coaches and MLS academy personnel.
The coaching pairs are made up of John Trask (University of Wisconsin) and Tom Torres (D.C. United U-18 head coach and Youth Scout); Greg Andrulis (George Mason University) and Bryan Scales (New England Revolution Youth Director); Kris Kelderman (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) and Jon Parry (Sporting Kansas City Academy Director); Bo Oshoniyi (East Tennessee State University) and James Clarkson (Houston Dynamo Director of Youth Development).
The 2015 combine is set to run from Jan. 8-13.
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What do you think of the added invitees? Are they all good selections? Still think there is someone who has not been included on the combine list that should be?
Share your thoughts below.
Hey guys what about the Englishman Tom Moody from Lindsey Wilson. He is a natural left footer with awesome skill and awareness with all the athletic and soccer attributes required for a pro player.
Top assister and contributor of goals and will work box to box making defensive tackles from the left or right midfield positions.
He has a definite presence on the field and is calm and collected in his play with devastating pace to boot.Makes right backs look lame and crosses the ball with deadly accuracy and regularity.
You can see him in action here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5Z5FnZc13E take a look for yourselves and see what you think.
Keep an eye on Markhus “Duke” Lacroix from Penn. Ivy League player had outstanding Junior season leading Penn to NCAA tourney. Has all the tools and will show well against better known prospects. The real sleeper at combine and will continue to develop.
I agree Duke Lacroix is a major sleeper… Was kinda hoping he wouldn’t be invited, so the Union could grab him. He was at there pro day a few weeks ago. Another sleeper is UMBC’s Kay Banjo, just have a feeling he’s gonna be a stud.
I would have really hoped to see Sam Fink from Wake Forest. I think he has a calm demeanor that not many other players have about them.
Nice to see Catic get an invite…I can remember watching him when he was younger help lead the Derby County Wolves to a Development Academy national title. Played in the NAIA with Davenport in college, but he put up some ridiculous numbers (39 goals, 11 assists) and helped them win the national title. Was a trialist with the Sounders and several European clubs, was a PDL MVP with the Michigan Bucks…has some really great skill. Interested to see how he does at the combine.