League releases initial list of 2016 adidas MLS Player Combine invitees

Major League Soccer announced on Friday 59 NCAA Division I college players who 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, Jan. 7-12, 2016.

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

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.

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’ back line this season, starting all 19 games for a defense that yielded the second fewest goals in the ACC. 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.

NCAA Division I College Invitees