LAUDERHILL, Fla. – The 2015 adidas MLS Player Combine has entered its home stretch, with clubs having interviewed players Monday prior to the event’s closing with two final games on Tuesday.
Here’s a rundown of some of the goings-on in South Florida:
Montreal’s Frank Klopas Hints at New Signings, Discusses Third Overall Pick
Generation adidas signings Cyle Larin and Cristian Roldan are widely expected to be the first two selections in the SuperDraft, with the pair likely headed to expansion clubs Orlando City SC (No. 1 overall pick) and New York City FC (No. 2 overall) on Thursday.
Who the Montreal Impact select with the third pick, however, remains an open question. Impact head coach Frank Klopas didn’t tip his hand much on Sunday, though he did hint that the Canadian club – recently linked with Italian striker Alberto Gilardino – will likely be announcing multiple new signings in the near future.
“We still have a couple more signings to make, so we’re looking for some quality depth [in the draft], whether at the back or up top,” Klopas said in an interview with MLSsoccer.com. “I think there’s some guys here… that I think could provide valuable minutes and have a chance to play this year for us.”
Some players that Montreal are likely keeping a close eye on include Generation adidas forward Romario Williams, Oregon State striker Khiry Shelton and UC-Riverside outside back Otis Earle.
“I think we all know at that spot there’s going to be someone that has the ability to help the team this year and has the talent to be someone for the future for the club,” Klopas said.
Injured Midfielder Fatai Alashe Hoping to Make Combine Debut on Tuesday
One of the top holding midfielders in the draft has yet to take the field at the Combine, with Michigan State’s Fatai Alashe missing the first two match days due to a groin injury initially suffered in the 30-meter dash portion of performance testing on Friday.
The 21-year-old Alashe, who is also capable of slotting in as a center back, captained the Spartans to an appearance in the NCAA College Cup elite eight in 2014, scoring eight goals and notching eight assists to take home NSCAA Second-Team All-American honors.
He’s hopeful that’ll he’ll make his Combine debut on Tuesday, when his Team Predator squad will take on Team adiZero in their Combine finale.
“I’ve been talking to the trainers a few times a day, and they said that I can warm up with the team on Tuesday and see how it feels,” Alashe told MLSsoccer.com on Monday. “If it feels good during warm-ups, I can start by playing 7-10 minutes, if that feels good I’ll come out for another 10 minutes and then go back in for another 7-10, and continue on and off like that.”
While Alashe hasn’t had a chance to take the field at the Combine, he has had an opportunity to meet with several MLS teams. He took meetings with Seattle, Columbus, Houston, San Jose and Salt Lake over the weekend and was scheduled to meet with several other clubs on Monday afternoon.
“I think [the interviews] have gone pretty well,” Alashe said. “They all seem like great coaches, all seem like great guys, so I think it’s gone well. I’ve gotten a good vibe from all of them, and hopefully that will play a part in having me go on Thursday.”
