With one week remaining before the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, the league added another player to the small Generation Adidas class. University of Akron freshman midfielder Jonathan Lewis was added to the GA class.
Lewis becomes the sixth player to be handed the tag ahead of the annual selection process. UCLA’s Abu Danladi and Jackson Yueill, Syracuse’s Miles Robinson and Canadians Shamit Shome and Adonijah Reid were announced as GA players earlier in the week.
The Florida native thrived in attack in his only season at Akron, as he produced two goals and an NCAA-leading 12 assists in 22 matches for the Zips. Lewis is currently a member of the U.S. Under-20 Men’s national team.
MLS adds three players to combine player pool
Before the SuperDraft rakes place in Los Angeles on Friday, the players available or selection will participate in the MLS Combine at StubHub Center.
The majority of players invited were announced a few weeks ago, but MLS added soix players on Friday to the group of draft hopefuls, three of which are youth internationals. Souheib Dhafaloui of Tunisia, Martim Galvao of Portugal and Ghanaian Dominic Oduro, who has most recently played at FC Nordsjaelland in Norway.
Three college seniors were also add to the list of combine participants. Colgate’s Ethan Kutler, Nathan Regis of Pfeiffer University and Chris Wingate from the University of New Hampshire will join the combine that’s set to begin on Sunday.
NYCFC re-sign McNamara and Allen
Two key parts of the New York City FC starting lineup from a year ago officially signed up for the 2017 season on Friday. Midfielder Thomas McNamara and defender R.J. Allen re-signed with the third-year club that is looking to build on a successful first season under manager Patrick Vieira.
“I’m really excited to have signed a new deal,” McNamara, who came to the club in the 2015 expansion draft, said. “It’s been a very enjoyable two years and to be here from the opening day to where we are now, I know this club has helped me to grow in so many ways.”
McNamara emerged as a vital part of the NYCFC midfield in 2016. He has 11 goals and 12 assists in 55 career matches in MLS with NYCFC and Chivas USA. Allen has turned himself into a consistent member of the starting lineup at right back. The New Jersey native has started 32 matches for City in his first two MLS seasons.
San Jose signs Panamanian midfielder
The offseason trend of dipping into the Central American talent pool continued on Saturday, with San Jose’s signing of Panama international Harold Cummings from Alajuelense in Costa Rica.
“Harold is an talented young player and we’re excited to add him to our roster,” San Jose technical director Chris Leitch said. “To have nearly 50 international appearances before his 25th birthday ensures we’re getting a player with a rare combination of youthfulness and experience.”
Cummings should end up being a centerpiece of the Earthquakes defense, and he could fill that role for quite some time since he is just 24 years old. Even though he is relatively young, Cummings has been a fixture on the international stage with Panama, as he’s earned 46 caps.