Major League Soccer has finalized its list of senior players to be invited to the 2011 MLS Combine and the teams in the upcoming NCAA Final Four are well represented.
A total of seven seniors who will take part in this weekend's national semifinals will play in the MLS Combine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 8-11, where MLS coaches and scouts will evaluate the incoming talent ahead of the 2011 MLS Draft, on January 13th in Baltimore.
SBI has obtained the list of 58 seniors invited to the MLS Combine, a group that includes North Carolina playmaker Michael Farfan and Akron standout Anthony Ampaipitakwon, as well as Michigan striker Justin Meram and Louisville fullback J.T. Murray just to name a few.
The invitees will compete in a series of scrimmages that will also include members of the Generation adidas class (underclassmen) and select players from lower division schools.
Here is the complete list if senior MLS Combine invitees (a list expected to be released officially by MLS later this week):
2011 MLS Combine Senior Invitees
Eddie Ababio, North Carolina, Defender
Anthony Ampaipitakwong, Akron, Midfielder
Jalil Anibaba, North Carolina, Defender
Jeff Attinnella, South Florida, Goalkeeper
Rich Balchan, Indiana, Midfielder
Jimmy Banks, Wisconsin-Green Bay, Midfielder
Philip Bannister, Loyola (Md.), Forward
Michael Boxall, UCSB, Defender
Matheus Braga, Penn State, Midfielder
Blake Brettschneider, South Carolina, Forward/Midfielder
Jeb Brovsky, Notre Dame, Midfielder
Efrain Burgos, Cal Poly-SLO, Midfielder
Ernesto Carranza, Sacramento State, Forward/Midfielder
Servando Carrasco, California, Midfielder
Billy Cortes, Maryland, Midfielder
Juan Cruz, SMU, Defender
Tommy Drake, Clemson, Midfielder
Bilal Duckett, Notre Dame, Defender
Michael Farfan, North Carolina, Midfielder
Josh Ford, UConn, Goalkeeper
Colin Givens, Michigan State, Defender
Cole Grossman, Duke, Midfielder
Matt Gold, Ohio State, Midfielder
Jason Herrick, Maryland, Forward
Levi Houapeu, UMBC, Forward
Hector Jimenez, California, Midfielder
Greg King, UConn, Midfielder/Defender
Daniel Keat, Dartmouth, Midfielder
Greg Klazura, Notre Dame, Defender
Christopher Korb, Akron, Defender
Tyler Lassiter, North Carolina State, Defender
Brayan Martinez, Seton Hall, Midfielder/Forward
Jimmy Maurer, South Carolina, Goalkeeper
Stephen McCarthy, North Carolina, Midfielder
Dustin McCarty, North Carolina, Midfielder
Ashley McInnes, Tulsa, Forward/Midfielder
Justin Meram, Michigan, Forward
Bryan Meredith, Monmouth, Goalkeeper
J.T. Murray, Louisville, Defender
Jon Okafor, Brown, Midfielder
Demitrius Omphroy, California, Defender
Davis Paul, California, Forward
Steven Perry, Notre Dame, Forward
Lebogang Pila, St. Peter's College, Midfielder
Karl Reddick, Boston College, Midfielder
C.J. Sapong, James Madison, Forward
Indy Smith, UNC-Wilmington, Defender
A.J. Soares, California, Defender
Josue Soto, SMU, Defender
Curtis Ushedo, UAB, Defender
Amani Walker, UC-Urvine, Forward
Bobby Warshaw, Stanford, Midfielder/Defender
Konrad Warzycha, Ohio State, Midfielder
Joe Willis, University of Denver, Goalkeeper
———–
Surprising omissions? Three that come to mind initially are Virginia goalkeeper Diego Restrepo, Michigan State midfielder Spencer Thompson and Monmouth striker Ryan Kinne. It should be noted that players missing from the list could be missing due to injury or could have turned down an invitation to pursue other opportunities.
The group is comprised of players identified by MLS coaches and scouts as potential draft targets.
What do you think of the list? Who is missing from the list that you think should be on it? Who are you happy to see get an invitation? Who is your darkhorse pick to do well?
Share your thoughts below.
lots of Cal representation. looks like they’re losing a lot this year
No Diego Restrepo from UVa???? Wow MLS, that’s just crazy talk…
Scottie Rojo from High Point University. He led the nation in assists. How could he not get the call up?
I’m in shock that Sam Hayden from UCSB isn’t in there. He might be small but he is a GREAT GK and should be there no question.
I thought some of the SDSU guys looked good…
Reza and Davies?
That’s what I was wondering. Small, but athletic enough to merit a look.
Disappointing not to see Rafael Baca of Loyola Marymount on that list.
Colin Givens is solid, and his parents are hilarious.. I will be rooting for him. He also has a scottish passport, so it’s nice to see him at the combine and not just heading over seas
Good to see Greg King from UCONN get a showing. Uconn has some flashy players that were fun to watch, but every game King was tearing up the left side of the field
I know I ask every year, but I always forget the answer: Are these open to the public? By the way (and I know us Floridians sound like big babies when we say this) it’s been pretty cold down here recently so you may have to wear pants and shoes instead of the normal Florida shorts and sandals.
Unless he has plans to go play in another country. I have read rumors that he was considering that along with MLS.
5’11 (on a good day) and not even 200 pounds = NOT big enough to be a professional goalkeeper. Be serious.
dumbest comment of the day goes to Be Serious!!! Congrats!!!
A lot of journey men like players. CJ Sapong could be under the radar
Is Jimmy Banks supposed to be JC Banks? Unless his given name is Jimmy not sure but I know his dad’s name is Jimmy.
Anyways JC has been in Sweden on a few trials but it would be nice for him to go to the combine.
How about Steven Beattie from NCAA D2 champions Northern Kentucky? I wouldn’t be surprised to see him land in Europe, he’s better than most D1 strikers.
He’s Irish so passport issues wouldn’t be a problem. Sick scoring record!!
Surprised about Ryan Kinne. Hope it’s an injury and he gets well soon. I’d really like to see him in mls.
I hope that’s the case Jake, because of those senior goalies maybe Attinella and Ford are comparable. Restrepo won it all at UVa, and lead the ACC in all GK categories the last 2 years. I doubt guys at South Carolina, Monmouth or Denver faced the quality and level of competition. DR played tougher teams and still outplayed all those other guys.
I really hope this isn’t MLS going the “American route” and scouting based on height/weight/speed chart. Soccer is not Football, potential is not based on measurables but play on the field.
Ives can you find out if this was Diego having other options/injury or just he league being the league?
Um, ever hear of Nick Rimando? 5’9 and 184 (according to MLSsoccer).
There are no interesting names this draft. I miss Two Boys Gumede lol
I’m sure Ives remembers how cold it is in Florida in January.
I would have liked to see Matt Eliason.
I am a little curious about the manner in which college players are selected for the combine. In order to be invited do you only have to be noticed by a small number of MLS coaches or scouts? Do college coaches have any impact? If you are not invited to the combine do you have any chance of ending up on an MLS roster? Anyone have any ideas…
How can a guy be a Herman Trophy Semifinalist and not receive an invite to the MLS combine? Ben Sippola from Butler should be there..
Um….ever hear of Jon Busch??? Pretty successful GK despite his small stature.
Ampaipitakwong is legit. Keep your eyes on this kid.
hes also SOFT and wont have any impact on games at the next level as defensive players will rip him
Really dude? Are you like his dad or what?
Ives, I am also surprised that Spencer Thompson was not included after being selected to train(along with Coling Givens) with Toronto fc last summer. Two other potential pros from MSU are MF Jeff Ricondo(injured from early October until the second round of NCAAs)who scored the goal to beat Butler and Avery Steinlage the GK who holds the ncaa record for consecutive shutout minutes.
Hey Ives, is there any sort of combine for the USL? Or is it all based on tryouts at that level?
UNC with 5 players, no wonder they are in the semi’s… could see a rematch with them an Akron. Hopefully closer than the early season match.
wow cant believe the leader in assists scott rojo didnt get an invite smh
In a way, not getting an invite for some of these players, can work in their favor. If you don’t go through the draft or arent invited, you can go to the team camp of any team that invites you (as long as you arent part of a current US Youth setup). JT Noone wasn’t drafted last year – still found his way to Philly (albetit circuitously). I can imagine La Salle’s Ryan Richter getting an invite directly to Philly team camp and it probably works out just as well for him as going through the combine. Yes, its a discovery signing, but with expanded rosters we might see a few players enter the league that way.
Wrong. He tied for the nation’s lead in assists.
Dissapointed in not seeing Zach Johnson, GK West Virginia, get an invite.
Should be on there: Spencer Thompson (UC Irvine), Raymundo Reza (San Diego State), Rafa Baca (LMU)
How about Fabien Barthez as well? 5’11 “on a good day”
Does anyone know the status of Christian Ibeagha and Cameron Brown? Are they still injured or are they redshirting? These guys are both first round talents.
And that Iniesta and Xavi are so hard. Not comparing them to Ampaipitakwong as I’ve never even seen him play, just pointing out there is almost always a place for creativity.
Someone can have an opinion on a player without being related to them. The guy is a NCAA Championship winning GK, he must have some talent.
He played for High Point University?
Surprised not to see Given’s keeper, Avery Steinlage in there
happy to see Josh Ford and Greg King on the list, two great players for UConn this year.
USA better get him before Trapatoni gets him Trap is scouting Americans who are eligible for Ireland for the national team.
Levi Houapeu and CJ Sapong will surprise. Mark my works ives
Not sure about Christian, saw him early in the year.
Cameron was redshirted and will be back playing at UNC for the fall season.
If La Liga and MLS were in the same stratosphere as far as level of physicality, you might have a point. I doubt he would get protection in MLS like he would in a more technical league.
still that is not an ease feat to accomplish
Yes he did
As an HPU alum, I love seeing a Panther being discussed! Some one send the kid an invite
We had 7 seniors this year, one of the best classes in the past 4 years as well, will be sad to see them go, but upwards and onwards!
Sometimes “homers” need to take the blinders off and be realistic. Hayden didn’t even merit NSCAA All Far West Region honors.
IMHO, McClain was the best GK in the BW – bar none.
CJ Sapong will suprise and will join the list of JMU Dukes in the MLS. Following in the footstep of Kurt Morsink (D.C. United) and Nick “I run Highlawn” Zimmerman (Philly Union).
What surprised me was that some of the names that were selected were not selected on a regional basis by the NSCAA and there seen as a viable MLS player. One player was not even starting for his team this year and came off the bench, how will he compete in the MLS?
Matt Eliason (Northwestern): 31 career goals – no invite really? I think hes being penalized for a lack of style points..What do you guys think? Ives?
Eliason was penalized because he score very few goals this season and the team was average. Besides which, there was a better player on Northwestern that was ommitted as well as I am sure is the case with many other programs.
Iker Casillas 5’11″ 185… All those coaches for Spain and Real Madrid must be delusional, he can’t be any good…
Gianbell58,
who is better at northwestern than eliason?
So am I. He’s big, athletic, strong on crosses, very vocal.
avery is horrible, worst soccer mind, makes too many mistakes, would fail in the MLS, surprised thompson isn’t in there thoug. hes big (fat) pretty athletic (for a 230 lbs guy) vocal (if he’s with 12 year olds) and strong on crosses (let in 7 goals in 1st 2 games, lost to penn state and ohio state on a cross this year and got chipped from half against michigan in overtime)
For sure Matt Eliason if not for a striker then at least a out side mid.
I think it was more so because hes not that fast and the MLS is looking for fast strikers. Also consider the fact that Eliason played center mid this year for northwestern, one of the reasons his goals went down this year. But still he deserves a look!
diego doesnt want to play in the mls..he wants to go elsewhere. he has had looks at respectable professional clubs in many different countries and he is continuing to do so as we speak.