USL PRO News Release
Sunday, January 26, 2014
BRADENTON, Fla. – The 2014 USL PRO Combine presented by Nike concluded on Sunday as the 102 players in attendance competed in one final scrimmage in front of the assembled USL PRO, MLS and international scouts gathered at the world-class facilities of IMG Academy.
The level of play remained high, and all three scrimmages saw positive passages of play. The day’s opening game saw Team 1 rally back to take a 2-1 victory against Team 6 as Reading United’s Mario Pinto capped his weekend with a pair of goals. Team 6 took the lead early in the second half as Julian Berrios tucked home a finish from Brad Vanino’s knockdown, but Team 1 replied in similar fashion 11 minutes later as a good header across goal by Greg Rosenthal was put home by Pinto. The Brazilian forward then gave his side victory as he was first to Tyler Fabian’s knockdown and slid his finish home.
Team 2 grabbed a late 1-0 victory against Team 3 as Otavio de Luca scored the only goal in the final minute. Team 2 came close to taking the lead in the first half as former Austin Aztex player Eddie Campbell stole possession on the right and centered for the Chicago Inferno’s Gordon Gurson, only for former Aztex goalkeeper Robert Mueller to make a good reaction save before Houston Dutch Lions forward Westin Vallentine hit the crossbar with the rebound. The goal would come with almost the final attack of the game, however, as Campbell cut into the penalty area and centered low for de Luca to finish.
Team 5 completed an undefeated weekend as a pair of second-half goals gave their side a 2-0 victory against Team 4. Ocean City Nor’easters midfielder Kenny Tribbett opened the scoring as he flicked home a header from a corner on the right. Then, the Ocala Stampede’s Jack Bailey timed a run in behind the defense well, and finished calmly, to put his side up 2-0.
Eight of the nine scrimmages at the 2014 USL PRO Combine are now available to be seen on-demand via the USL PRO YouTube channel. Follow USL PRO on Twitter (@USLPRO) and Facebook, Google+ and Instagram (@USLPRO) as it builds toward the new season this spring, with 10 USL PRO teams now affiliated with Major League Soccer clubs in the second season of the partnership between the two leagues.