2007 MLS Combine...Day 1.
Day 1 combine reports are trickling in. As expected some of the big names are confirming their status and some of the unknowns are making a name for themselves. Additionally, Generation Adidas is filling up as Top Drawer Soccer is confirming some more names have signed with the league. So let's review.
First off, I encourage you to check out Top Drawer Soccer's free posts on the combine. Typically they are a pay service, but it seems there is a free weekend preview going on.
If you remember I created a FTCP Pro-Prospects section in the right margin awhile back. Let's look at who's stock is rising and falling based on what Top Drawer tells us.
Stock Rising:
- Jay Needham - D - SMU: In an uninspired match his defensive work helped him stand out. His good size and awareness of the game will help him survive in physical MLS.
- Scott Jones - M - UNC Greensboro: Sounds like Jones has a nose for where the ball needs to go. That is an important instinct in soccer and something that can't be taught. There are a lot of MLS teams that need that kind of instinct and creativity.
- Greg Dalby - D/M - Notre Dame: Dalby was one of the keys to Notre Dame's success in 2006. He has a great awards cabinet and a ton of experience with the US Youth National Teams. day 1 of the combine seems to have cemented him as one of the top defensive prospects.
- John DiRaimondo - M/F - St. Louis: Another kid with a great pedigree and history of awards, DiRaimondo showed he knows how to pass the ball and lead his team into the attack. While he may not be able to impact his MLS squad in his rookie year, his base skills will grow under good coaching and should become a solid MLS player in the future.
- Robbie Findley - F - Oregon State: Looks like Buzz at 3rd Degree knew something I didn't. Robbie scored a goal that sounds terrific and made MLS coaches take notice.
- Michael Harrington - D - UNC: While it sounds like Harrington didn't play perfectly, good left backs are hard to find in the American system. Another player with great experience in the US National team system. His stock could go up simply because he plays in a hard to fill position.
- Dane Richards - M/F - Clemson: This Jamaican international showed he knows how to create on the offensive side of the field. His international status could let him slip into the later rounds of Friday's draft, making him a steal to whoever takes a chance on him.
- Mike Sambursky - D/M/F - South Carolina: Could this be the next Jonathan Bornstein? In college Sambursky led his team in scoring but in the combine he played as a right back. If he is as versatile as he sounds, he may become highly coveted by MLS coaches looking for the utility winger who can defend and get into the attack.
Stock Falling:
- Justin Hughes - GK - UNC: A good college career at a good soccer program made him a MlS prospect. Maybe it was nerves, but dropping balls and missing crosses does not make a pro-keeper.
- Chris Loftus - M/F - Duke: A huge frame on an attacking player makes some drool. However Chris didn't show well on day one and at his position he has to be able to control the ball and help build the attack. Off the ball runs are key and it doesn't sound like he moved too much.
- Jarrod Smith - F - West Virginia: Another foreigner who international experience often inspires thoughts of great quality. However, on day one he failed to show well in his match.
In addition to the first day on combine play, more news is coming out about Generation Adidas signings. A couple days ago I let it be known that I thought a GA class of four or five should be considered a failure by the league. It sounds like those of us who saw the combine list as the full extent of GA players were mistaken. Top Drawer Soccer is reporting that Julian Valentin, Amaechi Igwe, Anthony Wallace and Bryan Arguez are also joining the league, bringing the 2007 GA class up to nine. Hopefully MLS can make a few more signings before next Friday's draft.
First off, I encourage you to check out Top Drawer Soccer's free posts on the combine. Typically they are a pay service, but it seems there is a free weekend preview going on.
If you remember I created a FTCP Pro-Prospects section in the right margin awhile back. Let's look at who's stock is rising and falling based on what Top Drawer tells us.
Stock Rising:
- Jay Needham - D - SMU: In an uninspired match his defensive work helped him stand out. His good size and awareness of the game will help him survive in physical MLS.
- Scott Jones - M - UNC Greensboro: Sounds like Jones has a nose for where the ball needs to go. That is an important instinct in soccer and something that can't be taught. There are a lot of MLS teams that need that kind of instinct and creativity.
- Greg Dalby - D/M - Notre Dame: Dalby was one of the keys to Notre Dame's success in 2006. He has a great awards cabinet and a ton of experience with the US Youth National Teams. day 1 of the combine seems to have cemented him as one of the top defensive prospects.
- John DiRaimondo - M/F - St. Louis: Another kid with a great pedigree and history of awards, DiRaimondo showed he knows how to pass the ball and lead his team into the attack. While he may not be able to impact his MLS squad in his rookie year, his base skills will grow under good coaching and should become a solid MLS player in the future.
- Robbie Findley - F - Oregon State: Looks like Buzz at 3rd Degree knew something I didn't. Robbie scored a goal that sounds terrific and made MLS coaches take notice.
- Michael Harrington - D - UNC: While it sounds like Harrington didn't play perfectly, good left backs are hard to find in the American system. Another player with great experience in the US National team system. His stock could go up simply because he plays in a hard to fill position.
- Dane Richards - M/F - Clemson: This Jamaican international showed he knows how to create on the offensive side of the field. His international status could let him slip into the later rounds of Friday's draft, making him a steal to whoever takes a chance on him.
- Mike Sambursky - D/M/F - South Carolina: Could this be the next Jonathan Bornstein? In college Sambursky led his team in scoring but in the combine he played as a right back. If he is as versatile as he sounds, he may become highly coveted by MLS coaches looking for the utility winger who can defend and get into the attack.
Stock Falling:
- Justin Hughes - GK - UNC: A good college career at a good soccer program made him a MlS prospect. Maybe it was nerves, but dropping balls and missing crosses does not make a pro-keeper.
- Chris Loftus - M/F - Duke: A huge frame on an attacking player makes some drool. However Chris didn't show well on day one and at his position he has to be able to control the ball and help build the attack. Off the ball runs are key and it doesn't sound like he moved too much.
- Jarrod Smith - F - West Virginia: Another foreigner who international experience often inspires thoughts of great quality. However, on day one he failed to show well in his match.
In addition to the first day on combine play, more news is coming out about Generation Adidas signings. A couple days ago I let it be known that I thought a GA class of four or five should be considered a failure by the league. It sounds like those of us who saw the combine list as the full extent of GA players were mistaken. Top Drawer Soccer is reporting that Julian Valentin, Amaechi Igwe, Anthony Wallace and Bryan Arguez are also joining the league, bringing the 2007 GA class up to nine. Hopefully MLS can make a few more signings before next Friday's draft.
posted by Bonji at
5:27 PM
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