With the SuperDraft now just two weeks away, the pump is officially primed.
On Thursday, Major League Soccer announced the 2014 crop of Generation adidas players and senior signings who are expected to be among the top picks on January 16 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- MLS SuperDraft Order: Which teams will pick where in Philly?
The 2014 Generation adidas class includes star goalkeeper Andre Blake (Connecticut), Marlon Hairston (Louisville), Eric Miller (Creighton) and Ntokozo “Schillo” Tshuma (pictured above, Maryland). MLS also signed two of the top college seniors in forward Patrick Mullins (Maryland) and Steve Neumann (Georgetown).
Generation adidas players do not count against an MLS team’s salary budget. Players who join MLS as part of the Generation adidas program receive educational grants to further their college education.
In addition to those already signed, MLS announced nine more participants in the 2014 adidas MLS Player Combine (click for full invitee list), set to begin on January 10 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>Position</strong> |
<strong>Citizenship</strong> |
<strong>School</strong> |
<a href="http://www.csmorediggers.com/sports/msoc/2012-13/bios/akindele%20tesho%209s9t" target="_blank">Tesho Akindele</a> |
F |
US/Canada |
Colorado School of Mines (Division II) |
<a href="http://www.wakeforestsports.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/chris_duvall_692006.html" target="_blank">Chris Duvall</a> |
D |
USA |
Wake Forest University |
<a href="http://www.rocky.edu/admissions/features/OliverGore.php" target="_blank"><br>
Oliver Gore</a> |
F |
England |
Rocky Mountain College (NAIA) |
<br><a href="http://www.snhupenmen.com/sports/msoc/2013-14/bios/omanga_pierre_7gn2?view=bio" target="_blank">Pierre Omanga</a> |
F |
France |
Southern New Hampshire University (Division II) |
<a href="http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/fabio_pereira_772140.html" target="_blank">Fabio Pereira</a> |
MF |
Brazil |
University of Michigan |
<a href="http://www.hokiesports.com/msoccer/players/renfro_kyle.html" target="_blank"><br>
Kyle Renfro</a> |
GK |
USA |
Virginia Tech University |
<a href="http://www.cornellbigred.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=33741&path=msoccer" target="_blank"><br>
Patrick Slogic</a> |
D |
Brazil |
Cornell University |
<br><a href="http://www.bradleybraves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=204894194" target="_blank">Wojciech Wojcik</a> |
F |
USA |
Bradley University |
<br><a href="http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/tomislav_zadro_762764.html" target="_blank">Tomislav Zadro </a> |
MF |
Canada |
University of Wisconsin |
2014 Generation adidas Players
GK Andre Blake -- Mary Pen, Jamaica (University of Connecticut)
The junior goalkeeper was named an All-American for the third straight year, earning back-to-back First Team nods in 2012 and 2013, and has been a member of the Jamaican U-17 and U-20 national teams.
M Marlon Hairston -- Jackson, Miss. (University of Louisville)
The sophomore midfielder and member of the US U-20 national team pool played in 39 games during his first two seasons, contributing six goals and five assists.
D Eric Miller -- Woodbury, Minn. (Creighton University)
The junior defender started 62 of 63 games during his tenure at Creighton and represented the US in the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.
F Ntokozo “Schillo” Tshuma -- Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (University of Maryland)
The sophomore forward helped Maryland advance to the 2013 Men’s College Cup final, scoring six goals on the season.
2014 Signed Seniors
F Patrick Mullins -- New Orleans (University of Maryland)
The back-to-back First Team All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy finalist lead Maryland in scoring for the 2013 season with 19 goals in 26 games played.
F Steve Neumann -- New Hope, Pa. (Georgetown University)
A Second Team All-American for two years in a row, Neumann has been indispensable for the Hoyas in his last two seasons with 20 goals and 19 assists.
