2004 adidas MLS Player Combine to Feature Top SuperDraft Prospects

Published on December 4, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release

NEW YORK (Thursday, December 4, 2003) - Many of the top college and Project-40 prospects for the 2004 SuperDraft will first gather for the 2004 adidas MLS Player Combine from Sunday, Jan. 11 to Tuesday, Jan. 13 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. MLS general managers and members of all 10 coaching staffs will be in attendance to scout talent at the event leading up to the 2004 SuperDraft, which will be held on Friday, January 16 at the Charlotte Convention Center (10:00 a.m. ET - 2:00 p.m. ET). For the second consecutive year the SuperDraft will be held in conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention, one of the largest annual soccer gatherings in the United States.

The 2004 adidas MLS Player Combine will take place at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California where doubleheaders will be held on the mornings of January 11, 12 and 13 at 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. local time. The Torrance Marriott (3635 Fashion Way - Torrance, California 90503; TEL: 310-316-3636) will serve as the official headquarters of the adidas MLS Player Combine and the host hotel for players and coaching staffs.

The 54 college invitees (49 from Division I, two from Division II, two from Division III and one from the NAIA), who will later be joined by select Project-40 players, have been divided into four squads for the three-day, round-robin tournament. As the title sponsor of the 2004 adidas Player Combine, adidas will outfit all four teams. Following is the schedule of matches to be played at The Home Depot Center (all matches are open to the public):

Saturday, Jan. 10
Players arrive for physicals

Sunday, Jan. 11
9:00 AM: adidas F50 vs. adidas Predator Pulse
10:45 AM: adidas Supernova vs. adidas Aveiro

Monday, Jan. 12
9:00 AM: adidas F50 vs. adidas Supernova
10:45 AM: adidas Predator Pulse vs. adidas Aveiro

Tuesday, Jan. 13
9:00 AM: adidas F50 vs. adidas Aveiro
10:45 AM: adidas Supernova vs. adidas Predator Pulse

The field of players was determined by a select panel of Division I college coaches in conjunction with MLS coaches and the consultation of select Division II, Division III and NAIA coaches. The names of the latest Project-40 signings, who are also expected to be part of the event, will be announced at a later date. Among the collegiate players scheduled to participate are five players from defending NCAA Champion UCLA, the No. 1 seed in the 2003 NCAA College Cup tournament which has reached the quarterfinal stage. Other NCAA College Cup Quarterfinalists will also be well represented with four players from the University of Maryland and three from St. Louis University. The 2003 NCAA College Cup Semifinals and Finals will be televised on ESPN2 during the weekend of Dec. 12-14 at Crew Stadium. Of the first 30 selections at last year's SuperDraft, only five were not in attendance at the 2003 adidas MLS Player Combine.

To apply for media credentials for both the 2004 adidas MLS Player Combine and the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, please contact Simon Borg (212-450-1243, sborg@mlsnet.com), Jason Halpin (212-450-1264, jhalpin@mlsnet.com) or Casey Martinez (212-450-1284, cmartinez@mlsnet.com) at MLS Communications no later than Wednesday, January 7, 2003. Information regarding hotel accommodations and directions will also be provided. Media members can take advantage of a special $99 rate (not including tax) at the Torrance Marriott by calling 800-228-9290.

Following is a team-by-team breakdown of the college players who have been selected for the 2004 adidas MLS Player Combine round-robin tournament (alternates will be called upon in the case a player is unable to attend due to injuries or national team call-ups). For the first time, collegiate coaches will assist in managing the squads during the course of the three-day competition. The names of the coaches and any player additions or alternate call-ups will be released at a later date.

adidas Aveiro

GOALKEEPER: Zack Wells (UCLA); DEFENDERS: Phil Hucles (College of William & Mary), Seth Stammler (University of Maryland), Leonard Griffin (UCLA); MIDFIELDERS: Adam Crew (Brown University), Garthfield Whyte (Lynn University), Lindon Pecorelli (University of Connecticut), Jay Alberts (Yale University), Luke Vercollone (Seton Hall University), Andy Dorman (Boston University); FORWARDS: Alan Gordon (Oregon State University), Kevin Ara (Harvard University), Simon Francis Bird (University of Louisville)

adidas F50

GOALKEEPER: Troy Perkins (University of Evansville); DEFENDERS: Jason Perry (Oakland University), Kevin Wickart (St. Louis University), Edwin Miranda (Cal State Northridge); MIDFIELDERS: Jack Cummings (University of South Carolina), Mario Alberto Gonzalez (University of Tulsa), John Pulido (Florida International University), Marin Pusek (University of Alabama Birmingham), Scott Buete (University of Maryland), Angelo Joaquin Herrera (University of Maryland); FORWARDS: Aaron Paye (Fairleigh Dickinson University), Joseph Ngwenya (Coastal Carolina University), Kirk Harwat (Akron University), Jamal Sutton (SW Missouri State)

adidas Predator Pulse

GOALKEEPER: Matt Pickens (SW Missouri State); DEFENDERS: David Wagenfuhr (Creighton University), Nick Gannon (St. Louis University), Chris Aloisi (Syracuse University); MIDFIELDERS: Victor Guerrero (Cal State University Dominguez Hills), Andrew Pusateri (St. Louis University), Kevin Hudson (Southern Methodist University), Sumed Ibrahim (University of Maryland), Eric Cronkrite (University of Portland), Tighe Dombrowski (University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee), Guillermo Memo Arzate (University of California Santa Barbara); FORWARDS: Attilo Vendegh (Old Dominion University), Jeremiah White (Wake Forest University), Malcom Cephas (Virginia Commonwealth University)

adidas Supernova

GOALKEEPER: Matthew Haefner (University of Pennsylvania); DEFENDERS: Josh Smith (Trinity University), Tony McManus (University of Alabama Birmingham), Gary Sullivan (Adelphi University), Adrian Jonathan Cann (University of Louisville); MIDFIELDERS: Khari Stephenson (Williams College), Kenny Cutler (Clemson University), Ty Maurin (UCLA), Adolfo Gregorio (UCLA), Joshua Gros (Rutgers University); FORWARDS: Matt Taylor (UCLA), Justin Detter (University of Notre Dame), Steven Kehoe (Rio Grande University)

Major League Soccer Stories from December 4, 2003

• Burn Names Colin Clarke Head Coach - FC Dallas
• Bobby Convey a Finalist for top U.S. Soccer Prize - D.C. United
• D.C. United Holds Holiday Toy Drive - D.C. United
• 2004 adidas MLS Player Combine to Feature Top SuperDraft Prospects - MLS

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.