2007 MLS Combine...Day 2...
Saturday, January 6th saw the sun rise and set on the second day of the 2007 MLS Combine. Once again we're going to rely on Top Drawer Soccer's (TDS) report of the day.
Let's start off with Generation Adidas. On BigSoccer I'm seeing a new list of "definite" signings. I suppose nothing will be definite until the league releases the list available in Friday's draft, but here is the scuttlebutt:
Bakari Soumare, Nico Colaluca, Abdus Ibrahim, Luis Faz, Chris Seitz, Maurice Edu, Amaechi Igwe, Anthony Wallace and Bryan Arguez. Edu is back on the list and Jules Valentin has fallen off. TDS reports that some of the MLS coaches skipped Day 2 of the combine to travel to Bradenton and the US U-20 camp to see some of the GA players. Arguez, Igwe, Seitz and Wallace are the four U-20 players in camp and not at the combine. This could be why we haven't seen info on them signing with the league and is certainly why they're not at the combine.
Now onto the players who are moving up the ladder and those who are not impressing the coaches.
Rising Stock:
- Ty Harden - D - Washington: Harden performed well and showed his ability to see the entire game from the back. Players with great awareness of the game will be able to adapt to the pro game quicker, making them more desirable in the draft. Had a strong career in Washington.
- Zach Kirby - D - Boston University: Paired with Harden and showed his ability to read the game and position himself in the right spot at the right time. Similar to Harden, this kind of ability will help him fit into the pro-game and must have made some coaches take notice.
- Robbie Findley - F - Oregon State: Findley spent college scoring goals but in Day 2 he was assigned to a midfield role. His speed and off the ball movement put him in behind defenses well and allowed him to break down the defense. Findley sounds like he could be come into the league and show adaptability, similar to Jacob Peterson in 2006, making him a highly sought after player. Buzz at 3rd Degree continues to make me eat crow on this one.
- Frederico Moojen - F - Clemson: Moojen came to the US from Brazil and showed yesterday he loves to play the game. He scored a goal and worked hard, no doubt making some coaches take notice.
- Michael Harrington - D - UNC: In Day 2 Harrington showed he can hit a powerful left footed shot. Should the comparisons to Roberto Carlos start today?
- Andrew Daniels - D - Brown: The Ivy League isn't the soccer American College hot bed, but Daniels showed he can hold his own on the back line. At 6' 2" coaches may take his size and teach him the things he didn't learn playing against top competition. He was named the 2002 NSCAA Wisconsin State Player of the Year.
- Josh Tudela - D/M - Indiana: Played in both the defense and midfield, showing his versatility. TDS lists his performance as impressive and I'm sure MLS coaches did too.
- Greg Dalby - D/M - Notre Dame: After playing in defense on Day 1, he switched to his more natural position of midfield for Day 2. Showed his awareness of the game. Dalby seems to be emerging as one of the top senior prospects.
- Nico Colaluca - M - UVA: Colaluca showed he can play as part of a team and showed good vision of the field and awareness of where his team was on the field. As a GA player he naturally moves into the first or second round, however a strong combine performance may guarantee a top draft selection.
- Phil Marfuggi - GK - Clemson: Showed he can direct the defense in front of him. Communication for goal keepers is an important skill.
- Bakary Soumare - D - UVA: Showed defending is his strong suit but he needs to work on his passing. I think his potential and GA status will make him a top 6 pick.
- Adam Cristman - F - UVA: Adam showed his size helps him be aggressive up top which will frustrate defenses. In such a physical league it is certainly necessary to be a physical presence.
- Randi Patterson - F - UNCG: Patterson continues to show he is a scoring threat and knows how to move the ball and himself quickly.
Ok, now the falling stock:
- John Michael Hayden - M - Indiana: Earned some Big Ten awards in 2006 but is failing to impress when playing in the pool with the best college players in the country.
- Nick Noble - GK - West Virginia: As a keeper you have to be in control of everything. Noble showed a weakness by being uncertain during some of his play.
- Aaron Chandler - F - San Francisco: You can see that the coaches at the combine are looking for players who can play other places on the field aside from their natural position. Chandler was moved from his typical forward role to defense and he didn't make the grade. Showing you're a one trick pony is a quick ticket to the Supplemental Draft.
- Chris Loftus - M - Duke: Once again had a bad game. His size surely won't make up for poor performances. Another likely Supplemental Pick...if at all.
Well, the college kids have one more day of Combine play to impress the MLS coaches. If not, they're USL bound. So far no one is calling out a sleeper or under the radar star. Hopefully the coaches are seeing one.
Let's start off with Generation Adidas. On BigSoccer I'm seeing a new list of "definite" signings. I suppose nothing will be definite until the league releases the list available in Friday's draft, but here is the scuttlebutt:
Bakari Soumare, Nico Colaluca, Abdus Ibrahim, Luis Faz, Chris Seitz, Maurice Edu, Amaechi Igwe, Anthony Wallace and Bryan Arguez. Edu is back on the list and Jules Valentin has fallen off. TDS reports that some of the MLS coaches skipped Day 2 of the combine to travel to Bradenton and the US U-20 camp to see some of the GA players. Arguez, Igwe, Seitz and Wallace are the four U-20 players in camp and not at the combine. This could be why we haven't seen info on them signing with the league and is certainly why they're not at the combine.
Now onto the players who are moving up the ladder and those who are not impressing the coaches.
Rising Stock:
- Ty Harden - D - Washington: Harden performed well and showed his ability to see the entire game from the back. Players with great awareness of the game will be able to adapt to the pro game quicker, making them more desirable in the draft. Had a strong career in Washington.
- Zach Kirby - D - Boston University: Paired with Harden and showed his ability to read the game and position himself in the right spot at the right time. Similar to Harden, this kind of ability will help him fit into the pro-game and must have made some coaches take notice.
- Robbie Findley - F - Oregon State: Findley spent college scoring goals but in Day 2 he was assigned to a midfield role. His speed and off the ball movement put him in behind defenses well and allowed him to break down the defense. Findley sounds like he could be come into the league and show adaptability, similar to Jacob Peterson in 2006, making him a highly sought after player. Buzz at 3rd Degree continues to make me eat crow on this one.
- Frederico Moojen - F - Clemson: Moojen came to the US from Brazil and showed yesterday he loves to play the game. He scored a goal and worked hard, no doubt making some coaches take notice.
- Michael Harrington - D - UNC: In Day 2 Harrington showed he can hit a powerful left footed shot. Should the comparisons to Roberto Carlos start today?
- Andrew Daniels - D - Brown: The Ivy League isn't the soccer American College hot bed, but Daniels showed he can hold his own on the back line. At 6' 2" coaches may take his size and teach him the things he didn't learn playing against top competition. He was named the 2002 NSCAA Wisconsin State Player of the Year.
- Josh Tudela - D/M - Indiana: Played in both the defense and midfield, showing his versatility. TDS lists his performance as impressive and I'm sure MLS coaches did too.
- Greg Dalby - D/M - Notre Dame: After playing in defense on Day 1, he switched to his more natural position of midfield for Day 2. Showed his awareness of the game. Dalby seems to be emerging as one of the top senior prospects.
- Nico Colaluca - M - UVA: Colaluca showed he can play as part of a team and showed good vision of the field and awareness of where his team was on the field. As a GA player he naturally moves into the first or second round, however a strong combine performance may guarantee a top draft selection.
- Phil Marfuggi - GK - Clemson: Showed he can direct the defense in front of him. Communication for goal keepers is an important skill.
- Bakary Soumare - D - UVA: Showed defending is his strong suit but he needs to work on his passing. I think his potential and GA status will make him a top 6 pick.
- Adam Cristman - F - UVA: Adam showed his size helps him be aggressive up top which will frustrate defenses. In such a physical league it is certainly necessary to be a physical presence.
- Randi Patterson - F - UNCG: Patterson continues to show he is a scoring threat and knows how to move the ball and himself quickly.
Ok, now the falling stock:
- John Michael Hayden - M - Indiana: Earned some Big Ten awards in 2006 but is failing to impress when playing in the pool with the best college players in the country.
- Nick Noble - GK - West Virginia: As a keeper you have to be in control of everything. Noble showed a weakness by being uncertain during some of his play.
- Aaron Chandler - F - San Francisco: You can see that the coaches at the combine are looking for players who can play other places on the field aside from their natural position. Chandler was moved from his typical forward role to defense and he didn't make the grade. Showing you're a one trick pony is a quick ticket to the Supplemental Draft.
- Chris Loftus - M - Duke: Once again had a bad game. His size surely won't make up for poor performances. Another likely Supplemental Pick...if at all.
Well, the college kids have one more day of Combine play to impress the MLS coaches. If not, they're USL bound. So far no one is calling out a sleeper or under the radar star. Hopefully the coaches are seeing one.
posted by Bonji at
7:48 AM
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