2007 MLS Generation Adidas Class Coming Into Focus...

The MLS Combine starts this Friday, January 5th, however we have yet to see all of the players who will attend. I am getting to the point where I don't expect a MLS press release on the class until after the final combine roster is announced based on who shows up. I'm sure MLS has a lot of deals on the table right now, but please give us a clue as to who the young studs in the 2007 draft will be.

Thanks to the Washington Post we do have a better idea of who will be part of the 2007 GA class. The following blurb clues us in:

Virginia freshman defender Bakary Soumare said he has signed with MLS, while Maryland sophomore Chris Seitz, the nation's top goalkeeper, has decided to join MLS after weighing European offers, a source close to the player said.

MLS is expected to announce several signings this week, including Virginia's Nico Colaluca, Maryland's Maurice Edu and 15-year-old forward Abdus Ibrahim, a native of Ethiopia who lives in Minnesota. The draft is Jan. 12. . . .

So here is a little profile of each player I put together.

Nico Colaluca - Junior midfielder from the University of Virginia. Participated in the adidas ESP camp in 2002 & 2003. Awarded 2004 NSCAA/adidas National High School Player of the Year, 2004 1st All-Freshman Team, 2005 2nd Team All-Conference, 2006 College Soccer News (CSN) 2nd Team Pre-Season All American, 2006 ACC All-Conference, 2006 CSN 1st Team All-American, 2006 NSCAA/adidas All-America Team 2nd Team, 2006 Soccer America (SA) MVP. A skilled midfielder who likes to get into the attack on the flanks.

Maurice Edu - Junior defensive midfielder from the University of Maryland. Named an All-Star at the 2003 adidas ESP camp. Awarded 2004 NSCAA All-American, 2005 2nd Team All-Conference, 2006 Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, 2006 ACC All-Conference, 2006 CSN 3rd Team All-American and 2006 NSCAA/adidas All-America Team 1st Team. Very skillful midfielder who can control the pace of the game with good dribbling and passing. Many compare him to Shalrie Joseph of the Revolution.

Abdus Ibrahim - Fifteen years old forward. Joined the US U-17 Residency program in the Spring of 2006. Participated in the 2006 U-17 Toyota International Championship. Not much known on this young attacker. He was born in Ethiopia and now lives in Minnesota while not in Florida.

Chris Seitz - Sophomore goal keeper at the University of Maryland considered to be the top college keeper in the country. Named an All-Star at the 2004 adidas ESP camp. Awarded 2005 1st All-Freshman Team, 2006 ACC All-Conference, 2006 Defensive Player Of The Year, 2006 College Soccer News (CSN), 1st Team All-American, 2006 NSCAA/adidas All-America Team 3rd Team and 2006 Soccer America (SA) MVP. Participated in the 2006 U-20 Milk Cup. A beast in goal at 6' 4", 205 lbs he will give Matt Reis a run for his money as league punisher if any forwards happen to get too close.

Bakary Soumare - Freshman defender at the University of Virginia. Awarded 2002 MVP of Super Y League National Final, 2005 StudentSportsSoccer.com #10 top prospect and 2006 College Soccer News (CSN) 1st All-Freshman Team. Won the 2002 Super Y League National Championships. At 6' 4" Soumare has great size and athleticism.