USL PRO News Release
Friday, January 24, 2014
BRADENTON, Fla. – The 2014 USL PRO Combine presented by Nike continued on Friday, with a wide array of coaches from USL PRO, MLS and overseas on hand as the outfield players trained for the first time at the world-class facilities of IMG Academy. With 102 players in attendance, all those on hand got the chance to impress as the Combine’s staff coaches worked an efficient 90-minute workout.
http://usl2.uslsoccer.com/imgs/USLPRO-Combine0124.jpgAmong the short-sided games and crossing and shooting drills, there were some excellent passages of play across the six squads assembled. According to Chicago Fire Academy Director Larry Sunderland, one of this weekend’s Combine coaches, giving players the best opportunity to prove themselves is his primary focus over the weekend.
“We just try to get across the idea that this is all about them,” Sunderland said. “We’re here to help them to show themselves as best as possible, so if we can give them a little bit of organization to how we’re going to play, then really the rest is up to them, we’ll let them have it.”
For those coaches in attendance, many of whom are looking for pieces for their squads this season, the Combine remains an important event as they get a chance to look closely at some of the top PDL players that have come to Bradenton. For Phoenix FC coach Davie Robertson, there are certain types of players he is on the lookout for over the weekend.
“One thing I learnt in the league is that it’s a lot of hard work,” Robertson said. “It’s not all the fancy tricks, all that stuff, it’s the good hard work, hard graft, and keeping the game simple. If you look at the teams that have been successful in the league, the Charleston’s, the guys that have been around for a long time, the players they look for are the hard-working guys who play the game pretty simple.”
As the partnership with MLS and USL PRO grows, the chance for players to graduate from the USL PRO Combine to USL PRO clubs, and then on to Major League Soccer, as has happened in the case of Combine alumni Lawrence Olum, Luke Mulholland and Mark Bloom, appears set to increase. For Sunderland, a long-time member of the Fire’s staff, the partnership between the two leagues is moving North American soccer in a positive direction.
“I think these are real exciting times, the discussions with USL PRO and even up with MLS,” Sunderland said. “I think there’s been a hole in this country with that connection, and we’re finally being able to fill it. It’s going to provide a lot of opportunities for these guys to get into a league where they can continue their development, and hopefully get into MLS, and for us in MLS it’s also a place where we hope to bring some of our young guys through and find a home as well.”
The USL PRO Combine continues on Saturday as each team will play a pair of scrimmages. All of Saturday’s scrimmages can be seen live as Tourbeau Sports broadcasts on the USL PRO YouTube channel, and there will also be live updates also available on Twitter (@USLPRO) and daily updates on Facebook, Google+ and Instagram (@USLPRO).