MLS Combine Ups and Downs following Games 1 & 2

The first set of games of the MLS Combine are in the book. It's time to reflect, and take stock of what we've observed. Here's a look at my impressions of each player, and how their performance boosted, or deflated their stock. Most players participating in Friday's games are included, but not all of them. The truth is, it's probably better to be included as a "Stock Down" player than it is to be left off, because that means you left no impression at all. Players are organized by the team they are playing with during the combine. This is in no way a ranking, not all of the "Stock Up" players are first round picks.


Team Tango

Stock Up & Down:

D Joao Moutinho

Joao Moutinho gets a category all his own. Firstly, I believe his game one performance made it clear he's the decisive top talent in this draft. He's special. Moutinho's left foot is special. He made some very good plays going forward. However, he surged forward at every opportunity. This, at times, left HUGE gaps in defense, and put his team in jeopardy. He was caught out of position multiple times, allowing counter-attacks that put unnecessary pressure on his teammates Tomas Hillard-Arce, and goalkeeper, Eric Dick. He can not do that as a center back. He cared too much about his individual performance, that he could of cost the team. That tells me a lot about the player. He's not a leader. He is not a center back. Thankfully (I guess), most teams (reportedly) don't project him as a CB. I hope to see Moutinho play significant minutes at LB next game, since that's where many think he fits best. Personally, I think he could be a very good CM. That's basically the position he played this game, box-to-box CM.

Stock Up:

D Brandon Bye

Brandon Bye may have had the best two-way performance of any full back. He looked dangerous in the attack, which should not be a surprise considering his natural position. However, he also looked good in his own half with great recovery and marking. Bye was the big winner from Friday's performance tests (read mlssoccer.com's review here https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/13/wmus-brandon-bye-leads-way-mls-combine-performance-tests). Bye was the only player to place in the top ten in the 30m dash, shuttle run, and vertical jump. One concern I do have is Bye's ball striking, as his crosses failed in execution, but I'm not ready to dock him for it with such a small sampling.

M Oliver Shannon

This draft is weak on high-end central midfielders, and is begging for someone to leap into the foreground with their performance. Oliver Shannon may not have lept off the pitch and onto draft boards, but he took a nice step forward. Shannon had a good first half, showing a good ability to read opponents, and break up plays. He also made good decisions in distribution. Not a loud performance, but a good one.

F Chris Mueller

The biggest question surrounding Mueller entering the combine was can he transition to the wing, and be effective. He answered with an affirmative by way of the results of the performance testing. Mueller finished in the top-ten in the 30m dash, while besting the field in the 5-10-5 shuttle run. In fact, Mueller's 4.03s in the shuttle beat anyone from this year's or last year's combine. Mueller was deployed on the left of a 433 this game, and had a positive performance. I wouldn't call it special, but special is hard to come by. He showed off his ability on the ball, and flashed some pretty curl on his strikes, but he wasn't patient enough, and didn't work with teammates as well.

F Marc Steeves

There are a number of big target forwards in this draft. It's essential for each that they set themselves a part. Marc Steeves did his part to do so. He held play up nicely in the second half, and combined well with teammates. He played a nice through-ball to Opoku, who just happened to be a touch offsides.

Stock Even:

D Tomas Hillard-Arce

I saw Tomas Hillard-Arce on a “Stock Down” list earlier, and flipped. Did THA have a spectacular first game. No. However, his performance is being overblown. He was fine. Brandon Aubrey was supposed to be a top-five pick last year before suffering a dreadful combine. THA wasn't near that level. Yes, he was yellow carded after fouling Atuahene just outside the box. However, that was a good foul. Atuahene had already beaten Blackmon, what was THA supposed to do in that position. The rest of the match, Hillard-Arce was forced to compensate for Joao Moutinho continuously getting caught too far forward. Seriously. At times it seemed Tango was playing a 1243. Hillard-Arce did nothing to stand out next to Moutinho, or the other top talents, but he still looks like a solid MLS CB starting year 1.

D Tristan Blackmon

Blackmon had, perhaps, the toughest task assigned to anyone during the first round of matches: containing Francis Atuahene. Results were mixed. Atuahene certainly bested Blackmon several times, but overall, Blackmon kept the forward from causing damage. Blackmon had a few impressive tackles in the first half. The right back looked best going forward. On one occasion he dispossessed Atuahene and immediately attacked, holding off a defending, and finding the pass which led to a good shot. I've seen Blackmon on “stock down” lists too. Blackmon gave as much as he got, and considering he was matched up with a top-five prospect in this draft, that's just fine.

M Harry Cooksley

Cooksley is an interesting prospect. He isn't nearly good enough to be a 10 in MLS, and probably doesn't have the physical ability to play on the wing. So, he will have to prove he is capable of playing both ways as an 8. Unfortunately, he was positioned as a 10 (in front of Shannon and Pablo Aguilar) in the first half of his game today, where he played well. One particular play stands out where he led a break down the right, and curled a nice pass behind the central defenders to Boshua. I'm not any closer to knowing if he can be a successful 8 though.

D Niko de Vera

Many may say the Akron left back had a stellar first game, and saw his stock rise. That's going to be hard to argue against, because Niko de Vera had a very good match. However, improving his stock isn't just about performing well, it's about being a special player who can transition to the next level. De Vera seems smart, positionally sound, good going both ways. I bet he gets drafted. However, this full back class is deep, and many of them looked better than de Vera.

F Arthur Boshua

Boshua was blessed with sitting between Chris Mueller and Alan Winn in the first half of this match, with Joao Moutinho acting in the 10 role just behind him [I kid!]. He made for a good target. But, he didn't have enough quality on his chances. As I said above, this class is brimming with big 9's looking for an opportunity, and Steeves did more with his this game.

F Afonso Pinheiro

Yes, Pinheiro scored a poached goal from the right side in the second half, after a FK was headed away to his feet. It was a good ball. However, he seemed lost on the right side for much of the half.

Stock Down:

F Edward Opoku

This may seem harsh. Let me be clear, I am not saying Opoku played so bad that his stock is tumbling outside of the first round, or even outside the top-half of the first round. My biggest question for Opoku entering the combine was how does he compare to fellow Generation Adidas and Right to Dream prospects, Ema Twumasi and Francis Atuahene? Following the first round of matches, I would rank Opoku third of those three. He still looks like an electric prospect with a high upside. He looks more willing to combine with teammates than Atuahene. Opoku plays a little differently too, as he tries to get behind defenders rather than run at them with possession, which I like, and makes sense considering he graded as the fastest of the trio in the 30m dash (eighth overall).

M Alan Winn

Alan Winn is a first round talent. I've seen him as a fringe top-10 prospect on some boards. However, he was completely anonymous in his half of soccer. He also failed to stand out during the performance testing, seeing himself outperformed by similar players, Chris Mueller and Jon Gallagher.

Team X

Stock Up:

D Carter Manley

Carter Manley looked like the best right back on the defensive end. He uses his physicality well; he's strong and fast. He finished tied for second in the combine in the 30m dash. Manley was not very impressive going forward though. In fact, there were few occasions where he pushed into the attack. I wonder if CB is a potential role for Manley. He's not terribly undersized at 5'11”, and did finish in the top-five in the vertical jump to make up for his height. Manley reminds me of Odoi-Atsem from last year's draft. They performed similarly in the performance testing, and I remember Odoi-Atsem impressing me in his own half, and failing to impress going forward.

D Josh Morton

Josh Morton scored a goal on a header off a cross, following a short corner. It was a good goal. He played a good CB, sweeping up play well, and playing some good passes forward. Due to the lack of sure-thing center backs in this draft, those performing well could sky-rocket up boards.

F Will Bagrou

Will Bagrou was successful leading the line beside Atuahene. His positioning seemed pretty fluid up top, and often drifted wide, allowing Diego Campos to move inside. He combined well with teammates, and overall had an orderly performance.

M Paul Marie

Paul Marie is one of those central midfielders that took a step forward in game one. He delivered a great ball after receiving a short free kick, which Morton headed into goal. He constantly was around the ball, and made his presence known. He looks more capable of playing as an 8 than Cooksley, and is better attacking than someone like, Oliver Shannon (both of whom I mention, because I've already addressed them above).

Stock Even:

F Francis Atuahene

Atuahene only kept even? Am I crazy? Do I not know what I'm writing about? Well, that last part is true. I've seen many write that Atuahene was one of the most impressive players they saw during game one. That's fair, and they probably know far more about it than I do. However, Atuahene stayed level on my board. That's good! He still looks like a top-five prospect. He didn't do anything to make me believe he's worthy of the number one pick over Joao Moutinho though. I mean, let's not be crazy. Atuahene had a ton of hype behind him entering the combine; I believe too much hype. I don't think he's the second coming of Abu Danladi, at least not right away. Atuahene got into some great positions in this game, finding himself some shot opportunities, and he drew a FK on the edge of the box. But, the biggest knocks on him were evident as well. He doesn't combine with teammates; he tries to do it all on individual effort. He isn't the best striker of the ball. Based on this performance Atuahene is exactly the player I thought he was, and that's not the best player in this draft.

D Adam Morrison

The defender had some ups and downs. He made some very good tackles, but also was run around at times, and not properly positioned at others. Every CB receiving playing time has an opportunity to play their way into being selected, and possibly even sneaking into the first round. Morrison has good size, and some ability. He'll get more chances next week.

M Brian Iloski

Iloski found himself around the ball often in the first half. And looked decent taking free kicks. He's on my radar as a draft-able 8.

M Chris Lema

Lema was solid. He didn't do anything spectacular, but distributed well, while staying back and managing the midfield. I think Oliver Shannon did a little bit more to gain attention this game though.

F Mamadou Guirassy

Guirassy is an interesting player. He's a strongly built, 6'1”, forward, who looks light on his feet. He finished in the top-five in the 30m dash at 3.93s, although he did not perform in the in the top-ten in the shuttle run. Guirassy also showed good tenaciousness on defense too, playing on the wing.

F Diego Campos

Diego Campos received ample playing time due to Gordon Wild having to leave the game early. He was given freedom in the attack, playing both out wide, and drifting inside, often into a 10 position. Campos was extremely active while attacking; he was often the player on the ball pulling strings. I don't love his final ball, or his decision making in the positions he placed himself in.

Stock Down:

F Gordon Wild

I really like Gordon Wild. I was ready for him to take a step forward during the combine. He started off well, with good hold up play, before finding Atuahene out wide in space. Unfortunately, he left the game very early with a knock. That's not going to help him move up draft boards. I hope he makes it back for one, or both, of the final games.

Team Predator

Stock Up:

D Cory Brown

Cory Brown might have been the most impressive center back. He put on a fearless performance in the first half, taking on all attackers, especially 6'3”, Mason Towe, and 6'2”, Marcelo Acuna. Read the field well. Positioned well. Good tackling. Complete performance. Unfortunately, Brown is just 5'9”, so it may not matter how well he plays as a center back. In the second half he moved to left back, and was mostly anonymous. Still, he was very impressive in the first half, and maybe he can convince some team he can play CB...say in a back-three...say in Colorado. No matter what, Brown has everyone's attention after game one, and that's good.

F Jon Bakero

Jon Bakero may have been the best prospect, along with Joao Moutinho, to affirm his position. He played the first half as the center forward. From that position he was best drifting wide, and attacking defenders in 1 v 1 situations. He is so comfortable on the ball, and unafraid to dribble in tight spaces, surrounded by defenders. He's the most skillful player I saw on Saturday (take that with a grain of salt). Bakero was moved to the right side in the second half, and his stellar play continued. It's funny, when positioned centrally he did well drifting outside, and when positioned on the wing he did great coming inside. Bakero isn't going to be a traditional winger, and beat his man with his speed. However, he came inside, and read the defense beautifully. He tallied the first assist of the combine with a perfect through ball to Albert Ruiz who was cutting inside from the left side. Bakero was one of the biggest winners of the day.

M Manuel Cordeiro

This may seem like I'm backtracking. While, live-tweeting I specifically left Cordeiro off a list of most impressive players in the first game. However, just because I don't think he was one of the best of that match, and was overshadowed by the likes of Bakero and Brown (see above), doesn't mean his stock didn't rise. The truth is, Cordeiro wasn't really on my radar before, and now he is. That's progress. Cordeiro was very good in possession, and moved the ball well. He did nothing in particular that made you say, “wow,” but he didn't have to. Cordeiro is one of several players who need to answer the question: are they a MLS 8 or a USL 10? We'll see.

M Rafael Andrade Santos

Rafael Andrade Santos had a great first half. He was pulled the strings of dominate Predator team that dictated play. Andrade played from several spots in midfield, taking a few shots from just outside the box, and also operating further back as a deep-lying playmaker. It's as a deep-lying playmaker that he most intrigues me. Surprisingly, RAS didn't drift wide much. I would imagine teams want to see him tried as a wide player.

F Jordan Jones

Jones set the tempo for his team at the onset of the second half. He led the line, and led the press, showing leadership in directing those around him. Jones also scored on a header from a great ball delivered by Leon Schwarzer (who inexplicably I left absent from this post). Jones isn't as big as some of the other true-9s, he's 6'1”, but he did have a top-five shuttle time, and displayed some of the best intangibles.

D Justin Fiddes

Justin Fiddes ran the fastest 30-meter dash time of anyone in the combine, 3.84s. It was even faster than Jakob Nerwinski's class-best time of 3.87s a year ago. Fiddes was perhaps a little uneven in game. He found room on the overlap often in the first half, but couldn't put the ball in a dangerous position. However, he played great on defense, showing off incredible recovery speed.

D Markus Fjortoft

Markus Fjortoft was outperformed by the smaller, Cory Brown in the first half, but still managed to stand out. He was solid throughout, and even showed some class on the ball. At 6'5”, Fjortoft could be a mover with continued steadiness.

Stock Even:

F Albert Ruiz

Albert Ruiz scored the first goal of the combine. He scored following a great cutting run, and an even better through-ball to him from Bakero. Unfortunately, he was absent the majority of the second half. That's because the game was mostly played away from him, but isn't that kind of a problem?

D Mark Segbers

Mark Segbers is one of many forward players transitioning to full back. Segbers looked excellent going forward, slipping defenders, running past them, and making things happen deep in the oppositions half. He made one exceptional run into the box near the goal-line, making Wyatt Omsberg look silly, although his final ball wasn't great. Segbers' struggle was on defense, obviously. He looked pretty bad on the defensive end. It wouldn't surprise me to see Segbers drafted as a wide midfielder in the end, since he has that quality. It also wouldn't surprise me to see a team take a chance at him developing into an able full back in time.

M Thomas Vancaeyezeele

Vancaeyezeele was pushed into a prominent role in defensive midfield due to Mo Adams' absence. He did well, controlled the game. I know his name. I know more about him than I did a day ago. But, I don't think he overtakes Oliver Shannon or Chris Lema.

G Jeff Caldwell

Simply put, he looked like the best GK of the day, with Eric Dick just a little behind.

Team Nemeziz

Stock Up:

D Lucas Stauffer

Lucas Stauffer is one of the biggest winners of the day. He looked exceptional to start the second half, operating as a left back. He played good two-sided soccer, with tremendous work rate, but was most exciting going forward. Stauffer is a natural right back, but found success on the left side by coming short and passing the ball into the middle. I think that's a great understanding of his own abilities and limitations, and he didn't try and force the ball deeper on the flank (to cross) like he would on the right side. Stauffer eventually moved to central midfield, where he quieted.

D Graham Smith

Graham Smith had a great first half, showing off some of the best passes out of the back of any CB (perhaps, Moutinho excluded, but he wasn't really a CB, as I've stated). He also made some good stops on defense. Smith has good size, 6'3”, and is one of my biggest movers following the first round of games.

D Wyatt Omsberg

I don't think Wyatt Omsberg played particularly well. In fact, in game, he may have ranked fourth in his game alone: Smith, Brown, Fjotoft, then Omsberg. However, Omsberg tested extremely well in both the 30m dash, and the shuttle run. Omsberg finished tied for third in the 30m, 3.90s, and was tied for fourth in the shuttle. Considering his 6'4” size, that's extremely impressive. Regardless of how he plays, I think a team is going to flier on him in the first round. Those physical attributes really stand out.

F Jon Gallagher

It may seem as though Jon Gallagher played a quiet role this game. He operated on the right hand side in the first, and his counterpart, Brian White, tallied an assist in the same role in the second half. However, Gallagher did a lot of this I loved while on the pitch. He chose great runs. I consistently saw Gallagher running into space, while on the break. The problem was Marcelo Acuna refused to look his way, choosing to go to his right (where he had Generation Adidas prospects Mason Toye and Ema Twumasi) time-and-time again. Despite few opportunities, Gallagher was efficient on the ball, and did create a chance-or-two. I was most impressed with Gallagher's defensive work rate. Gallagher could be found defending deep in his half. I loved that. He's tenacious, and dispossessed Fiddes, springing counter-attacks. That's an import quality to have on the wing, transitioning to MLS.

F Ricky Lopez-Espin

Lopez-Espin scored Nemeziz lone goal, a header off Brian White's service. He had good movement, and finds space. Lopez-Espin tested as the combines best jumper, and at 6'2” could be a legitimate aerial threat.

Stock Even:

M Alex Roldan

I've seen some fawning over his performance. I merely thought he was fine. As I've said, this draft is begging for an 8 to emerge, and Roldan may very well be it. I'd probably rank Roldan first in that position, but that's based on what I already knew of Roldan, entering the combine. He simply didn't do anything to drop. Personally, considering how dominate Predator was controlling the tempo, and possession, how could any of Nemeziz' midfielders be winners this game?

M Ema Twumasi

Twumasi certainly had moments where he looked class. He has good 1 v 1 ability, and looks to combine more than his fellow Right to Dream countrymen. He gave Justin Fiddes, thought to be the best left back in the draft, fits when he switched sides of the field halfway through the first.

F Brian White

White got the assists, delivering the ball to Lopez-Espin. He was moved out wide, and I think that roles suites him. I just don't think has as high an upside as others in this class.

F Mason Toye

Mason Toye is pretty much exactly the player we thought he was. He positioned just below Marcelo Acuna, preferring to play with his face to goal, rather than with his back to goal. Unfortunately, that's an area of his game he needs to develop to be more effective. It's great that he can play like 5'9” Chris Mueller, but that aspect of his game will be so much more effective, once he learns to use his body, and play like a traditional target man.

F Daniel Musovski

Musovski was largely anonymous in the second; that's a product of their being too many center forwards on this team. But, he made some good plays on the left, and made Mark Segbers look terrible at one point. I look forward to seeing Musovski used more centrally, since I don't think he can transition to the wing as well as someone like Brian White, or Jon Gallagher.

Stock Down:

F Marcelo Acuna

There may not be a player I'm more disappointed in than Acuna. He really struggled as the center forward, despite so much attacking talent around him, Twumasi, Toye, and Gallagher. He repeatedly made poor decisions in the attack, and wasted good opportunities.

F Mohamed Thiaw

Thiaw played out of position on the right this game, and really struggled. There are bigger target men in this draft, but I still think that's Thiaw's best role. Like Musovski, I don't think Thiaw is a winger, and more so with Thiaw. I don't think the coaches did him any favors in this one, but again, some of that has to do with the construction of the roster.

D Tim Kubel

I really expected Kubel to come out and grab the brass ring. I thought he would have an excellent combine, and become a dark horse for MLS rookie of the year. Alas, he didn't have a great start. And, although he didn't play poorly, he didn't do enough to stand out. Kubel had trouble when Bakero drifted to the left. He also failed to make an impact going forward, although he attacked less often than I'd expect. Perhaps, my theory in regards to Gallagher applies to Kubel as well. Acuna really neglected the right hand side, choosing to play the ball to the left repeatedly, maybe that prevented Kubel from making an impact. We have two more games to find out, but coaches, if you're reading [you're not], do not play Kubel and Gallagher with Acuna in the center.

M Ken Krolicki

Ken Krolicki was one of the top central midfielders entering the combine. He was expected to be the best 8 in the class. He struggled in the first game though, failing to make a positive impact on the game. I'd expect a central midfield of Krolicki and Roldan to dominate possession, but that couldn't be further from the trutch. He can still turn it around though.