2005 Adidas College Combine (Forwards)

Awhile ago I posted information on players from the 2006 MLS combine [GKs and Defenders; Midfielders; Forwards]. In looking around the Internet, I couldn't find any sources that looked at players from the combine and how they panned out. There were articles about the combines going into the drafts but no follow up afterward breaking down which players made in the MLS or even went on to play professionally. With From College To Pros being about looking at the development of young players in America, it seemed the right spot to sharing this information. I welcome everyone to look over the list and share information and their own conclusions on these players.

2005 Adidas MLS Player Combine - Forwards

Knox Cameron (Michigan)
Superdraft 4th round (44th overall) by Columbus Crew
Knox was a player that generated a decent amount of buzz during his time in the league. He was a big striker that likely would've been taking higher in the draft had he not suffered a knee injury in the year before the draft. He had previously played for the Mid-Michigan Bucks (PDL). Born in Jamaica, Knox Cameron had chosen to play for the US at the youth level. He played in 30 games for the Crew during his 2 years in the league (2005 + 2006). In 2006 Crew coach Sigi Schmid tried to convert him to a defender. But he wasn't developing as hoped and was released by the Columbus Crew after the 2006 season. He isn't playing in 2007 as he's returned to college to complete his studies.

Justin Cook (Ohio State)
Supplemental Draft 1st round (3rd overall) by Chicago Fire
I'm not sure if Justin made the Fire's roster in 2005. He doesn't appear to have played in any leagues since the combine.

Jamie Holmes (Birmingham Southern)
Supplemental Draft 2nd round (17th overall) by New England Revolution
Holmes made New England's roster but only played in one game for 20 minutes in 2005. He doesn't appear to have played in any leagues since the 2005 MLS season.

Antouman Jallow (Wisconsin – Milwaukee)
Superdraft 4th round (41st overall) by San Jose Easrthqueakes
Born in Gambia, Jallow was a Swedish citizen who came to the US to play at the University of Milwaukee - Wisconsin (other MLS alumn such as Manny Lagos and Tony Sanneh played there). Jallow did not make the 2005 San Jose (now Houston) squad. He returned to Sweden to play for Gefle IF in Sweden's top flight (Allsvenskan). He does not appear to be on the current Gefle roster.

Ryan Latham (Southern Methodist)
Supplemental Draft 2nd round (21st overall) by New England Revolution
Latham Got 6 games under his belt in his first year with the Revolution. He didn't see any playing time for Steve Nicol's squad in his 2nd year other than an appearance in a friendly against Celtic FC. He was waived before the season was over and doesn't appear to be playing in 2007.

Jerrod Laventure (Seton Hall)
Laventure was not drafted but joined the then Metrostars reserve team in 2005. In 2006 he made the first team on a developmental contract seeing all of 70 minutes of action in league play. He made the squad again in 2007.

Chris Lee (Marquette)
Supplemental Draft 4th Round (44th overall) by Columbus Crew
Lee was also drafted by Milwaukee Wave (MISL) in 2005. But he didn't play professionally after college for either the Crew nor the Wave.

Alon Lubezky (Hartford)
Lubezky was drafted by any Major League Soccer teams. He played for the Charleston Battery in 19 games (4 goals) in 2005. He doesn't appear to have played in 2006 and may have returned to his native Israel.

Julian Nash (Creighton)
Superdraft 4th Round (40th overall) by San Jose Earthquakes
Nash played over 200 minutes in his first year wit the then San Jose Earthquakes. He stayed with the team after their move to Houston for the 2006 but only played 95 minutes. He was released by the team after the season.

Orlando Ramirez (Fresno Pacific University)
Superdraft 3rd round (31st overall) by San Jose Earthquakes
Ramirez played with San Jose in 2005 but didn't make any first team appearances. 2005 appears to be the only year he played professionally.

Chris Rolfe (Dayton)
Superdraft 3rd Round (29th Overall) by Chicago Fire
Rolfe may the most accomplished of players that attended the 2005 MLS College Combine. He's earned 6 caps with the US Mens National Team (USMNT). He scored 8 goals and had 5 assists in this rookie year. He was a candidate for Rookie of the Year in '05 (Parkhurst won). He's scored 18 goals and 9 assists including a great start to the 2007 season with 3 goals and 3 assists in the first 5 games. Before joining the Chicago Fire he played with the Chicago Fire Premier team in the PDL.

Edwin Ruiz (Hartwick)
Supplemental Draft 1st Round (11th overall) by Kansas City Wizards
Ruiz didn't get any playing time with KC in 2005. He doesn't appear to have played since then.

Scott Sealy (Wake Forest)
Superdraft 1st Round (11th overall) by Kansas City Wizards
One of the more productive picks of a very strong first round Superdraft class (they are all still in the league; a far cry from the days when Steve Shak was the #1 overall pick). Sealy lead KC in scoring in 2006 and has racked up 20 goals in 59 league appearances (40 starts). With Josh Wolf gone to 1860 Munich, KC will be looking for him to score goals and keep teams from paying too much attention to Eddie Johnson. Unfortunately for Sealy he was not taken to Germany by Trinidad and Tobago for their first ever World Cup appearance in 2006 (interestingly enough Cornell Glen, who's struggled to shine in the MLS, was & played in all 3 games).

Eugene Sepuya (Alabama A & M)
Supplemental Draft 3rd Round (31st Overall) by Colorado Rapids
Only played 18 minutes and committed one foul for Colorado Rapids in 2005. The Ugandan international was released and later joined FC Banats in Armenia.

Chad Severs (Penn State)
Severs went undrafted in 2005. He played for Harrisburg (USL-2) in 2005 & 2006. Severs finished the 2005 season second in the USL 2nd Division in goals and points. He joined the Rochester Raging Rhinos (USL-1) for the 2007 season.

Abe Thompson (Maryland)
Supplemental Draft 2nd round (16th overall)
Before joining the MLS, Abe played in the PDL for the Cheasapeake Dragons and Boulder Rapids Reserves. He's had 6 goals and 6 assists in 345 appearances in the MLS including 2007.

Mychal Turpin (Michigan)
Turpin was not drafted by any MLS teams. He went on to play for the Richmond Kickers (USL-2) in 2005. In 2006 he played for the Mid-Michigan Bucks in the PDL including in their 2006 PDL Championship win.

Usiel Vasquez (Southern Connecticut)
Supplemental Draft 4th Round (32nd overall) by NY/NJ Metrostars
Vasquez didn't make the 2005 roster for the then Metrostars (now New York Red Bulls). But he did have a successful trial with the Charleston Battery (USL-1) where he played in 2005 and 2006.