OLIVER SHANNON: The Clemson midfielder looks like a player who could step in and play minutes as a rookie as needed. He still projects as a third-rounder, but the Butler netminder is looking more like a second-round pick now. He made good decisions and showed good reflexes throughout the day. His status as a Spanish international player might hurt his stock, but if the Pittsburgh midfielder continues to impress, teams won't mind finding a place for him.ĮRIC DICK: The goalkeeping position is a bit wide open and Dick looked like a prospect teams should consider given his size and quickness for a big guy. POL PLANELLAS: Though he didn't start his opening match, Planellas came on and showed the skill and smarts you expect from a product of Barcelona's La Masia. The Creighton product is looking very much like a second-round option now, though if he can keep it up and show well at right back in the coming days, he has to be considered a possibility to move into the back end of the first round. He's good defensively, confident on the ball and competent getting forward. LUCAS STAUFFER: Though he didn't play in his natural right-back position, Stauffer didn't look out of place at left back, and was actually one of the best fullbacks in the opening set of matches. Teams like that he is an American forward with good size and good feet, and if he can put a few more strong days together he'll be a good bet to go in the first round of the draft. ![]() RICKY LOPEZ-ESPIN: The Creighton forward is a big, skilled attacker who got on the scoreboard on the opening day. That isn't scaring away teams who see him as a very good prospect, and being an American doesn't hurt. First, the converted winger definitely has good quality getting forward as an attacking right back. MARK SEGBERS: Two things were clear with the Wisconsin product. In a draft with few top-end American prospects, and even fewer central defenders, the Dartmouth star's stock is flying high. WYATT OMSBERG: After turning heads in the performance testing with some top-notch numbers, Omsberg went out and showed that he can play. Perhaps an even bigger bonus for scouts was his defensive work rate, and it's safe to say the range of teams interested in the Wake Forest forward has grown considerably. JON BAKERO: Teams were already aware of Bakero's technical ability and vision, but he was dominant in attack on Saturday. ![]() It didn't hurt the Michigan winger that the rest of the attacking players in the Generation Adidas class failed to impress. He impressed at center back even though the Akron product still projects more as a left back at the pro level, though some teams think he's good enough on the ball to play in midfield.įRANCIS ATUAHENE: Though the end product was often lacking, Atuahene was a force on the left wing, going at defenders and showing off the blazing speed that has teams considering him at the very top of the draft. His skill, poise, toughness and intelligence have him head and shoulders among the rest as a prospect. JOAO MOUTINHO: Came into the combine as the highest-rated player in the draft and he showed why. ![]() Here is a rundown of the players who boosted their standing the most on the first day of the MLS combine, and the players who hurt their stock with subpar performances: The Generation Adidas class - which features the most highly regarded players in the draft - drew most of the attention, but as a group failed to deliver the performances scouts were hoping for (with one clear exception). The ones who stood out did so by shaking off the nerves and sticking to the strengths that earned them combine invites in the first place. Some with their fitness and others with their ability to combine with unfamiliar teammates. The 2018 MLS combine opening day was better than usual, though it still featured several top prospects who struggled. The first day of the MLS combine is traditionally a sloppy and often boring affair, with players struggling to find their rhythm and sharpness after considerable time off.
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