59 NCAA D-I players invited to 2016 MLS Player Combine

Major League Soccer announced Friday which 59 NCAA D-I college players have been invited to participate in the 2016 adidas MLS Player Combine. Top collegiate players from across the country will showcase their talents in front of representatives from all 20 MLS clubs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from Jan. 7-12, 2016.

All invited players will be eligible for selection in the 2016 SuperDraft presented by adidas that will take place on Thursday, Jan. 14 in Baltimore, MD.

Among this year's invitees is goalkeeper Callum Irving, a product of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency program. The club and Irving have mutually agreed to make Irving eligible for the MLS SuperDraft. 

"Following discussions with everyone involved, and the club's philosophy to never stand in a player’s way, it was agreed that this was the best course of action," said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. "We have the utmost confidence in our collection of young keepers, which is a testament to our Residency program and coaching staff, and believe they will be important members of our club for years to come."

A committee of MLS coaches and NCAA Division I coaches from every conference selected the invitees, all of whom completed their college eligibility this season. Additional invitees, including: Generation adidas signings, non-collegiate players, and more college seniors, will be announced in the coming weeks.

2016 adidas MLS Player Combine
NCAA Division I College Participants

Headlining this year’s invitees are six semifinalists for the 2015 Men’s MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded to the nation's top player. A pair of Clemson University teammates – Paul Clowes (ACC Midfielder of the Year) and Kyle Fisher (ACC Defender of the Year) – approach the Combine with accolades already in hand, and will look to wrap up their collegiate careers with a national championship in this weekend's College Cup.

Still vying for a first title is Stanford’s Brandon Vincent. The defender was dominant in Pac-12 play this season, earning conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and All-Pac-12 First Team honors. Creighton’s Timo Pitter won back-to-back BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year awards in 2014 and 2015, and finished his career ranked among the school’s Top 10 in goals (33) and points (87). UNC’s Jonathan Campbell anchored the Tar Heels’ backline this season, starting all 19 games for a defense that yielded the second-fewest goals in the ACC. And forward Brandon Allen enters the Combine after securing his spot as Georgetown’s all-time leader in goals (50) and earning a unanimous First Team All-BIG EAST selection.

A mix of collegiate soccer head coaches and MLS Academy personnel will make up the Combine coaching staff: Columbia University head coach Kevin Anderson, George Mason University head coach Greg Andrulis, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee head coach Kris Kelderman and Akron University head coach Jared Embick will serve as the head coaches for the four Combine teams. The assistant coaches will be announced at a later date.

Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! 2016 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are on sale from $39/month all in. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.