The 2019 adidas MLS Player Combine finished up on Wednesday as the team's played their second of two games during their time in Orlando. David Gass is here to breakdown who raised their stock, and who hurt it, during the combine.
Stock Up
Asiedu impressed in a defensive midfield role at the combine | Andy Mead
Anderson Asiedu (Team X, UCLA): Asiedu was a pitbull in the midfield for Team X. He covered more ground and disrupted more plans than anyone else. While his distribution was perhaps overly simple, Asiedu showed intent to push forward into the attack against Team Nemeziz. A native of Ghana, Asiedu might skip down the draft board because he will occupy an international spot, but he could do a job for an MLS team this year if given the chance.
Andre Shinyashiki (Team X, Denver): Forced to miss the first day of combine play while attending the MAC Hermann Trophy ceremony, the Denver product made a statement on Day 2. He provided a delicious chip over an onrushing goalkeeper to remind teams what they get from the top goalscorer in all of men’s college soccer.
Kamal Miller (Team Predator, Syracuse): In a deep pool of center backs, Miller stood out for a few reasons. Known for his ability to break lines with either foot coming into the combine, Miller also showed he could hit the long ball accurately. Accustomed to playing in a three center back setup at Syracuse, it will be interesting to see how he fits in at the next level.
Stock Down
St. Clair had a tough Day 1 in Orlando | Andy Mead
Dayne St. Clair (Team Copa, Maryland): Every team wants a goalkeeper who can play from the back, and every goalkeeper wanted to prove they can do it, but St. Clair left some doubts on the table. The Canadian goalkeeper mistrapped a backpass that led to a goal in his first game, and never got much of an opportunity to redeem himself. It was a rare slip from an otherwise reliable 'keeper.
Geoffrey Dee (Team Nemeziz, Louisville): On Wednesday, Dee was caught in possession twice, with both turnovers leading to goals. He should be applauded for the courage to take the ball in tough spots, but the mistakes stood out.
Wouter Verstraaten (Team Predator, Pacific): Most teams view Verstraaten as the best passing center back in the draft, but there were concerns about his lighter frame and lack of pace. He didn’t put those questions to bed. He got beat in the air on a long ball that led to a goal on Saturday, and looked a step slow at times on Wednesday.
