Recently the Carolina RailHawks have announced the signing of Costa Rican James Scott Guevera, while the Fort Lauderdale Strikers have added Alfonso Montagalvan to their roster. This weekend the 2012 NASL Combine takes place, with each of the 71 players involved hoping to make a good impression and win a 2012 contract with one of [.

KICKERS SEARCH FOR STAR
Players From Across the Globe Attend Open Tryouts this Weekend
RICHMOND, VA - (Thursday, January 19, 2012) – Over 70 players will attend the Richmond Kickers 14th annual player combine this weekend, January 20-22 at the Kickers state-of-the-art sports complex, Ukrop Park.

Corner is a new feature each Monday on US Soccer Players that attempts to breakdown an issue trending in the world of soccer in under 400 words. Yes, this explanation counts. How many viewers began to wonder if there's such a thing as a bad draft pick after watching ESPN2's coverage of the first round of the 2012 Major League Soccer SuperDraft?

Today at Bartle Hall in Kansas City, Sporting KC added two new players to their roster ahead of the start of preseason next week. Not needing to draft a specific player that would be required to come in and fill a need, KC was able to look a few different directions with their pick at number 16 and even at pick number 30.

In the second round of the MLS SuperDraft the Seattle Sounders went for an athletic goal scoring forward in UAB's Babayele Sodade. Standing 6'3 and 195 Sodade's test for the vertical at the Combine went higher than they were prepared to measure. A dual citizen of the USA and Canada he trained with the Canadian Olympic team in 2010 and is competing for a roster spot while they attempt to qualify for London 2012.

With the 15th pick in the MLS SuperDraft Seattle Sounders FC went with Creighton University's Andrew Duran. Duran a versatile defender played at the Combine as a rightback, centerback and right midfield. The senior player was rated as a top 10 defender by Maureci.

Duran is one of three Creighton players at the MLS Combine.

Click here to view the embedded video.

With the 13th pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, the Philadelphia Union selected UCLA striker Chandler Hoffman. The Hoff had 29 goals and 9 assists in three collegiate seasons, including an astounding 18 goals and 6 assists in 2011.

An impressive combine performance didn't help Hoffman, who dropped much further than expected.

The 2012 SuperDraft has been criticized as being a weak draft, but the positions that the Brotherly Game feels the Philadelphia Union should target have plenty of options from which to choose. Left midfielder or left winger is one of the few positions that this SuperDraft has enough depth to wait until the second round to take a player, but it also has a few intriguing first round prospects.

The 2012 SuperDraft has been criticized as being a weak draft, but the positions that the Brotherly Game feels the Philadelphia Union should target have plenty of options from which to choose. Center back is one of the few positions that this SuperDraft has enough depth to wait until the second round to take a player, but it also has a few intriguing first round prospects.

By Jason Davis - WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 12, 2011) US Soccer Players -- After a grueling invitation-only three-day combine in Florida, young players with professional dreams will be chosen by needy teams anxious to find the next Taylor Twellman, Steve Zakuani, or Geoff Cameron. It's Major League Soccer's SuperDraft, a reprieve for those that can't abide a couple of months without MLS soccer.

Somehow, it works out so I am off during the MLS SuperDraft 2012, and thus I've taken on the responsibility of live-blogging the first (and maybe) second round. It's being aired on ESPN2, TSN2 and RDS2 at 11AM CST. That means there are about 3 hours remaining until the Montreal L'Impact -- barring any trades or moves, are on the clock for the 1st overall selection in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

Oh SuperDraft Eve. You have to love the excitement surrounding a draft.

So many things can happen though between now and tomorrow afternoon. Teams will be wheeling and dealing all night in hopes of either moving up in the draft, finding some decent talent outside the draft in a trade, or just hoping that the one special player you've had your eye on since December is still available.

Their Words "I think from playing at the combine to have that week and know how you play, whatever happens after the that is going to determine the rest of your future.... You realize that this is your opportunity to do what you love and play the sport you've enjoyed since you were a kid." Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

So you guys all saw how I picked in SB Nation's mock SuperDraft. If you didn't then, well, I chose GA cetnral defenders Andrew Jean-Baptiste for my 8th pick and then Aldo Paniagua for my 27th. Why? Well you can read all about it right over here!

In any case, what probably isn't as well known about the mock draft is that we aren't allowed to trade picks for anything.

The trio of Wisconsin players at the Major League Soccer Combine did their best Tuesday to leave good final impressions on the league's coaches and general managers before the SuperDraft.

Tony Walls (Wauwatosa East/UW-Green Bay) and Calum Mallace (Marquette) came off the bench and scored in an eight-minute span in the second half to help spark the adiPower team beat adiPure 4-1 in the last of six matches at the Combine in Lauderhill, Fla.

Midfielder Calum Mallace has been active at this years MLS Combine which has just concluded after taking place in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Mallace has returned to Marquette University after the 3-day trial and now can do nothing but wait to see if or when his name will be called in Thursday's 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

For those fanatics among you interested in getting a glimpse at MLS' stars and busts of tomorrow, MLSS is offering some vids of the combine here from its three dates, the last of which was today. It comes on the heels of their official mock draft, which we can throw into the ring with the host of others popping up around the innernets in recent days.

Skillful wingers in the player pool are at a premium ahead of Thursday's MLS SuperDraft, but three of the top players available at the position are some of the more sought-after attackers eligible for selection.

Sam Garza, a Generation adidas signing out of UCSB who can play up top or on the wing, helped his stock considerably with his showing while playing for the adiPure team at the Combine and had a big hand in helping set up Ethan Finlay as part of the Creighton forward's hat trick.

Thursday's SuperDraft will be here before we know it. I'll be fairly busy with the day job over the next day and a half but I did want to get this up today. With one final day of the Combine, teams are hoping to fill as many holes in this draft as they possibly can. Some teams will only get one shot at it (FC Dallas) while others have a few chances to add depth (Toronto).

Three players with Wisconsin ties are looking to impress coaches this weekend at the Major League Soccer Combine, which kicked off Friday in Lauderhill, Fla.

Midfielders Tony Walls (Wauwatosa East/UW-Green Bay) and Calum Mallace (Marquette) came off the bench for the adiPower team in their 3-2 win over Team PRIME in the first of six matches at the Combine.

The atmosphere was upbeat and the play was fast-paced as the defending 2011 NASL Champion Minnesota Stars kicked off their 2012 preseason by hosting a combine at the National Sports Center Fieldhouse on Friday. Although the combine was targeted for Minnesota players, several candidates from other states and counties, even as far away as France, [.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't watch much college soccer, sorry. There's simply too much out there for me to consume to give a great deal of attention to a version of the sport where the clock runs the wrong direction and there are infinite substitutions. That said, I do try to watch the playoffs and Final Four every year to at least have some idea of the potential names that could be coming to MLS.

Their Words "Zak Whitbread has been excellent since he has been at the football club," Norwich City manager Paul Lambert. Other Sources Dynamo give Kinnear 3-year extension - from The Houston Chronicle's Jose De Jesus Ortiz: "But it's safe to say he's going to be the team's head coach for the foreseeable future.

Kelyn Rowe signs his MLS deal. (Photo via UCLA athletics)

The 2012 Generation adidas class is a little more than half way there. Before Christmas we had Darren Mattocks (Akron), Chandler Hoffman (UCLA), Andrew Wenger (Duke) and Sam Garza (UCSB) sign their GA deals with the league. It appears one more can be added to that list in the form of UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe.

I guess that one advantage of having a schedule that doesn't match any other league's in the world is that, while MLS teams take a brake over the winter, competitions in Europe are just starting to heat up. And just as even the most faithful husband can't help but notice a pretty girl, it definitely isn't treason (or Eurosnobbery, for that matter) for an MLS fan to enjoy a match between European teams.

Even though the Stars have exercised their option on 18 players from last years NASL Championship squad, the team announced two tryout dates. Local players will be able to show their talents on Friday, January 6, 2012, and a three-day invitational will be held on February 21-23. "We're excited to add the local combine to [.

By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Dec 6, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Thursday's 5, with Tony asking about Eastern Conference teams moving forward, college players attending the Combine, and possibly the best best nickname in MLS. Have any Eastern Conference teams actually gotten better this off-season? Exaggerating for effect, but other than Kansas City, who would make the list of having improved?

Duke's Andrew Wenger stands to be one of the top prospects in this year's SuperDraft. (Photo via Duke Athletic Department)

I know I've been slacking on my college coverage as of late. But have no fear, my SuperDraft items will really start to kick up in the coming weeks with the start of the NCAA tournament next week.

Earlier today, Sporting KC confirmed the signing of Trinidad and Tobago international Daneil Cyrus on loan from 1st Santa Rosa FC in Trindad. Cyrus had trialed with the team all through pre-season after impressing at a combine down in the islands over the winter. The teams though had not been able to reach a deal for the player and Sporting had moved in another direction.

Wayne Rooney scored one of the goals of the season Saturday to defeat Manchester City in the hotly contested Manchester derby. In a drab game that had several uneventful spells mixed with possession-football by both sides, chances were few and far between.

So it took a moment of brilliance from Rooney to score an absolute peach of a goal past Joe Hart and to give all three points to United.

Tuesday, February 8th 8:00PM EST - 5:00PM
Guests: Dave Denholm discusses the young guns of the US National Team
Head Communications Officer of the NASL Kartik Krishnaiyer discusses the NASL Combine that was in Ft. Lauderdale this past weekend

No related posts.

Today is the second half of the MLS draft, with the Supplemental draft taking place. KC owns 3 picks in the draft, the 10th, 28th, and 46th. This is a chance for MLS teams to build their depth with the return of the reserve league. The reserve league returning this year is the reason we see the return of the supplemental draft.

After a long day of trades, drafts, and Rooney's brother, we finally can step back and see how Toronto FC fared in yesterday's MLS SuperDraft. I'll spare you all of the minor backroom details and get right to it: TFC picked up four new players and offloaded 2 more to continue the mass exodus from BMO.

When analyzing how this draft works out for the Sounders almost all of the attention will be on Michael Tetteh. Sure, he was only picked 20th, so most would have low expectations, but let's remember this line that Adrian Hanauer told Jeremiah yesterday,

Even the trading down thing was really risky, but we felt like the potential rewards were higher than the risk.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Union

With some time to recover from yesterday's SuperDraft excitement, we can now look at some of the early reaction.

A good place to start is our very own draft review. In addition to, well, reviews, the piece includes links to each players stats as well as video of them in action.

By MIKE NASTRI

Erik Soler and the Red Bulls said before the draft the team would concentrate on defense. But, New York threw a change-up when Corey Hertzog fell to them at the 13th pick. The speedy Penn State forward will supply needed quality depth behind Thierry Henry or could play out wide.

The Super Draft happened today. The Fire acquired four players. I don't see any of them being starters on opening day but they do provide the Fire with depth at key positions.

Jalil Anibaba:

22 Years Old

6'0"

175 lbs.

Good decision here to go with a defender.

Well things kind of went the way that many people kind of expected it today, plenty of people last night were predicting that Jalil Anibaba and AJ Soares would be off the board when KC picked at the 10 spot. Soares went to the Revolution at the 6 spot while Anibaba almost fell to the Wizards, but was grabbed by Chicago at the 9 spot.

Caskey is more of a box-to-box midfielder. We hear he had a good combine. He takes a lot of free kicks and corners, which is something the Sounders need with Sturgis gone (though it seems unlikely Caskey would contribute to the first team in 2011).

Random fact: Caskey, Carrasco, and Cruz are 3 of the 4 players on page 40 of the SuperDraft media guide.

Konrad Warzycha, from Ohio State. The son of the Columbus Crew, Robert Warzycha is coming to KC. Certainly a bit disappointing for him. Warzycha is a midfielder, but did play also play center back at the combine. Could also be seen as potential trade bait with Columbus if Robert really wants to coach his son.