Evaluating the 2018 MLS Combine Teams

Here are my thoughts on each of the four teams that will compete over the next week at the MLS combine. I think some players were given a great service due to the players around them: Mason Toye, Gordon Wild, and Joao Moutinho (amongst others). Others were put in situations where it may be difficult to stand out: Jon Bakero notably. The teams are addressed in descending order of which I believe have the most cumulative talent.

Tomorrow I'll be back with my thoughts on the combine's first two games.

Red (Team Predator)

This team has some interesting pieces. Jon Bakero is obviously the MAC trophy winner, and has already signed with MLS. Mo Adams is possibly, probably, the best central midfielder in the draft, and a Generation Adidas player to boot. Rafael Andrade Santos is a polarizing player in this draft. He has a ton of quality, but is a college 10, and may not have a position at the next level. Albert Ruiz was a dominate scorer prior to his injury-riddled senior season, and has found himself slip. He'll be looking to show he still has a nose for goal. Justin Fiddes is the best natural left back in the draft. However, I don't necessary love how they potentially fit together. There are few wide players of note. Personally, I would of loved to see Bakero be able to combine with a good wide attacker or two (any of the Ghanian GA players, Winn, Gallagher, White). Instead he'll likely be given freedom in the attack, but that may highlight his lack of pace and athleticism, rather than showcase his technical skill, and vision. Sam Gainford is a forward used to playing in a wide position, like he did while helping to lead Akron last season. Andrade Santos could also be tried on the wing. Mark Segbers will likely be tried all along the right side as well. The back line will be solid if unspectacular. I think the ful backs: Fiddes, Segbers, Nate Shultz, and Cory Brown will be able to get forward. Alex Bumpus and Markus Fjortoft may be no frills CB, but they'll be an able shield. I expect Shultz to get minutes in the middle as well. Mo Adams could be given the opportunity to shine in midfield. He will be moved around a little. I expect to see him play as a 6, 8, and possibly even as a wingback. Thomas Vancaeyezeele is another interesting player to watch, because he could be utilized in a few different areas.

White (Team X)

The most interesting player here is, of course, potential #1 pick, Francis Atuahene. He will lead the attack. There aren't too many out-and-out strikers on this team (despite the depth of those in this draft class), so I expect Atuahene will be used in a variety of ways. I expect him to lineup on the left side of a 433, as a second forward in a two striker formation, or even as a lone striker at times. Atuahene will be joined on the wings by Diego Campos and Jason Wright. I expect Generation Adidas prospect, Gordon Wild, to benefit from the wing play, and the attention Atuahene will receive. He could be in for a big combine. Wild will be given the opportunity to play up top alone, and has a second forward. It wouldn't shock me to see him the wing either. However, I don't know if he has the speed, or on-the-ball skill to play there. Frandtzy Pierrot is a big target forward, 6'4”, and should get time playing alongside a good second forward, Atuahene, Wild, Campos, etc. or, even between two of them. There are some interesting midfielders on this team, even if they lack a standout. Chris Lema is the most highly regarded pre-combine. He is one of the better true defensive midfielders. Brian Iloski, of UCLA, Pol Calvet Planellas, and Will Bagrou will all be given time there. Defense is the weakness of this team. Adam Morrison and Curtis Manley are the guys to watch though.

Blue (Tango)

This is a well balanced team, but their greatest strength is on defense. In fact, it seems they gave them every good defender. Tomas Hillard-Arce will anchor this team. Hillard-Arce already has an MLS contract as a senior sign, and is a potential top pick. He could be paired with Generation Adidas defender, Joao Moutinho. Moutinho has some of the best upside in the draft. I expect to see him at CB, LB, and CM throughout the course of the next week. Tristan Blackmon is perhaps the best right back in the draft class. However, the presence of Brandon Bye, a player teams want to see at right back, makes me think Blackmon will get a long look at CB at the combine. Especially since there is a lack of depth at central defense in this draft. Bye could be one of the biggest movers during the combine, and he's been given an excellent position. Tango could field a backline of (from right to left) Bye, Blackmon, Hillard-Arce, and Moutinho. That would be tremendous defensive, and have some bite going forward. Both Hillard-Arce and Moutinho will be dangerous on set-pieces as well. The midfield is solid. Oliver Shannon is a good central midfielder. Pau Belana and Pablo Aguilar are also solid. Harry Cooksley should be tried at several positions 8, 10, 7, and could be a mover in the vein of Joe Holland a year ago. Jose Carrera-Garcia is another midfielder/forward to watch. I'm not sure how he is going to be deployed yet. The attack is very interesting. Chris Mueller, another senior signed with MLS, will be allowed to play as a 10, a second forward, and probably tried on the wing as well. I'm very interested to see how Mueller adapts to new roles at the combine. There are good wide players in generation adidas prospect, Ed Opoku, and senior, Alan Winn. Opoku is a late addition to the combine, but could play his way into a top-five selection. It will be very interesting to see how the three Ghanian generation adidas players: Opoku, Atuahene, and Twumasi. Leading the line for this team will be target forwards, Arthur Bosua, Afonso Pinheiro, and Mac Steeves. Any of the three could benefit from the plethora of attacking talent around them. I expect at least one to be a big combine mover.

Black (Team Nemeziz)



I believe the team with the worst name is the team with the most talent. The defense does not have as much talent as Tango, but it should be solid enough. Tim Kubel will be given freedom on the right side. Kubel has had a great career at Louisville. I think some are sleeping on him this draft; he could be a contributor right away. Wyatt Omsberg is a big, 6-4, center back, many have pegged to move up following the combine. The problem with this team though is the lack of depth at the back. Seriously, they have four defenders on the roster. Meanwhile, teams Predator and Tango have six defenders apiece. This could be a problem. It's also disappointing, because it removes any hope of seeing them align in a back-three, which would allow teams to see Kubel as a wingback. There are two very intriguing pieces in central midfield, Ken Krolicki and Alex Roldan. Both are able box-to-box players, and they should be able to thrive with so much talent around them. Ricky Lopez-Espin is another midfielder who could impress, but I'm not sure where he fits. This team should be the best team in the final third. There is so much attacking talent, starting with generation adidas Ghanian Ema Twumasi. Twumasi is one of the five most exciting prospects in this draft. He is joined on the wing by senior standout, Jon Gallagher. There may be a glut of forwards on this team, Danny Musovski, Brian White, Marcelo Acuna, Mohamed Thiaw, and generation adidas signing, Mason Toye will all be battling for playing time. White and Acuna may be tried out wide. All the forwards could benefit from tremendous service from the likes of Kubel, Twumasi, and Gallagher.