A steady left back is still one of the most sought-after commodites in Major League Soccer, but can any of this year's recruits make the cut in MLS? Here's a look at the five best prospects at the Combine this year.
Andy Thoma, Washington
The first thing you should know about Andy Thoma is that he’s fast. Not just fast as a soccer player. We’re talking objectively fast. In high school, he was a state track champion before deciding to take his running abilities to the left side of the Huskies’ backline. He’ll be able to track anyone at the next level, and he’s got enough of a mean streak to keep up his end on defense. The final product of his crosses could improve, but that can be fixed with practice. You can’t teach speed like Thoma’s.
Otis Earle, UC Riverside
At 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, Earle’s probably a little bigger than your average left back. But when has size kept anyone out of MLS? Earle can pass his way out of trouble, and has enough skill to get past a challenge if need be. Despite being the son of English-born NBC commentator Robbie Earle, UC Riverside’s left back has a green card, so he won’t count as an international.
Jose Ribas, Creighton
Ribas is a converted midfielder, which makes it less surprising that he finished his college career with 21 assists. Obviously, he’s an exceptional creator, and even though his production dipped slightly this year – three assists and no goals – he was still part of a Creighton back four that held opponents to just 11 goals in 22 games. He can do it all, but as an Ecuadorian native he’ll take up an international slot.
Jordan Murrell, Syracuse
Murrell finished his senior year at Syracuse with seven assists, the most of anyone on the team. Suffice it to say that he’s got a really solid left-footed cross, and it’s the first thing anyone mentions when talking about him. That said, Syracuse did have a really impressive year on defense, so you can’t make the argument that Murrell is a slouch on defense, either.
Vlamidir Hood, Youth International
Hood was underwhelming at left back on the first day of the Combine. This isn’t a huge surprise, considering that he is, in fact, a left midfielder for Alianza Lima, his club team. There must be some team in MLS that thinks his attacking abilities, which helped him lead his team in goals scored in 2014, are enough to make up for whatever defensive liabilities he might have. Maybe a stint with an MLS2 team in USL PRO might be in order? Tough to tell, but right now, it seems like he’s going to be a project.
