Signed with Aalborg in Denmark.Tracy, a Herman Trophy Finalist and First Team All-American, is as good a striker prospect as has come out of the college game in a long time. The numbers are there, 13 goals and 10 assist this year to make him one of two players in NCAA to have double digits in both categories, but it’s the pure talent and upside that has him at the top of this list. At 6-1, 170, he has the size, speed, and athleticism of an Eddie Johnson with fantastic touch, ability to combine, wonderful work rate, and tremendous training habits. He’s as complete a package as you’ll see in the college system and MLS might not be able to sign him now after missing out on getting him post last year’s title run domination. He finished his career ranked in the top 10 in points (83), goals (30) and assists (23) at Wake Forest.
2008: All-American First Team, Soccer America First Team MVP, College Soccer News First Team, Top Drawer Soccer First Team, Herman F, Atlantic Coast Conference First Team.
2007: Atlantic Coast Conference Second Team
MLS Combine (he’s now withdrawn)
Here he is scoring in the game winning goal in the 2007 NCAA Final.
3rd Degree source says Grella has not come to terms with MLS and also will be skipping the MLS Combine. He has a EU passport.The Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year, two-time Herman Semi-finalist, and two-time All-American. The only consistent scoring threat on the Duke team, Grella’s 36 points were triple that of any other Blue Devil this season, Grella still scores despite being the entire focus of the opposition defense. Grella has the rare talent of being able can create his own space to score. Grella has tremendous self confidence bordering on the edge of being ego, but has the numbers to back it up with a career 41 goals and 27 assists in the top tier Atlantic Coast Conference. A former US U18 and U20. Grella might be eligible for a EU passport through his Italian born parents, which makes him a threat to bypass MLS.
2008: All-American First Team, College Soccer News First Team, Top Drawer Soccer First Team, Herman Semi-Finalist, Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year, First Team.
2007: All-American Second Team, Herman Semi-Finalist. Atlantic Coast Conference First Team.
2006: Top Drawer Soccer First Team, Atlantic Coast Conference First Team
An incredible sophomore year thrust Zakuni into the national spot light. 20 goals and 7 assists to dominate Mid-American Conference play. First Team All-American, Herman Finalist, Soccer American Player of the Year, College Soccer News First Team, Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Season, and Mid-American Conference Player of the Year. Arguably more polished than Tracy based on his background. Very smart and aware goal scorer who can beat defender with pace. I don’t feel he has quite the upside of Tracy as I think he’s not as good an athlete. The difference between the top to is minimal though. British but born in the Congo. His older brother Gabriel plays for Fulham. Played with the Arsenal youth team from 1997 to 2003 and the Independent Football Academy in London from 2003 to 2007.
2008: All-American First Team, Soccer America Player of the Year & First Team MVP, College Soccer News First Team, Herman Finalist, Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Season & First Team, Mid-American Conference Player of the Year & First Team.
2007: Mid-American Conference Newcomer of the Year, First Team
The best all around forward at the combine, showed he has the individual skill to separate and finish.A highly versatile and polished player, Pontius played left midfield early in his college career before moving up front as a junior, lighting up the score sheets, and being named the 2007 Big West Offensive Player of the Year and 2008 Third Team All-American. It’s yet unclear if he will play up top or wide in midfield at the pro level as he has the size and skill to do either. 14 goals this year gets him 29 for his career. One of two unanimous selections to the 2008 All Big West Taem.
2008: All-American Third Team, College Soccer News Second Team, Top Drawer Soccer First Team, Herman Semi-Finalist, Big West First Team.
2007: Big West Offensive Player of the Year, First Team.
The 2007 Herman Trophy winner, White chose to pass on MLS’ Generation adidas offer last year to stay his senior year with the Huskies after leading the nation in scoring with 19 goals and 7 assists. In hind sight that seems like a move that has backfired as White blew out his ACL after 14 games this season. Yet White still won the Big East Offensive Player of the Year award for the second time and was named an All-American for the second time. While he won’t be ready to take to the training field to April or so, the talent level is so high the 6-1 White is still in the top five prospects. He’d have been 2nd on this list without the injury, if he recovers completely we’ll all look stupid for dropping him down. White leaves UConn with 46 goals and 23 assists. Although he went to high school in Toronto, White is a Jamaican who has played with the Reggae Boyz U15s, U17s, and U20s. He would be at the combine if not for the injury.2008: All-American Third Team, Top Drawer Soccer Second Team, Herman Finalist, Big East Offensive Player of the Year, First Team.
2007: All-American First Team, Soccer America First Team MVP, College Soccer News First Team, Herman Trophy Winner, Top Drawer Soccer First Team, Big East Offensive Player of the Year, First Team.
2006: Top Drawer Soccer Third Team, Big East First Team.
2005: Big East Rookie of the Year, Big East Second Team
Combine List (would have been invited if not for injury)
A gritty hard working baller with a nose for goal. Good soccer smarts and only 19. Can combine and gets off fast shot in tight space.The junior Generation adidas signing just turned 19 so has some upside and will nee some time to develop in the pro game. Not as ready to play right away as those above. Scored 13 goals this year, second highest single season in MU history, to lead the maize and blue for the third straight season. A former US U17, U18, and U20. Ends his career at MU with 59 games, 24 goals, 9 game winners, and 7 assists.
2008: Top Drawer Soccer Second Team, Big Ten First Team.
2007: Big Ten First Team.
2006: Big Ten All-Freshman Team, College Soccer News All-Freshman Team
Fast, strong, and dangerous. Has all the tools to be a great pro striker if he can put it together and get the right team.A player who has long been considered to have big upside and potential, Seabrook hasn’t seemed to progress all that much at South Florida. Seabrook burst onto the scene as a freshman when he led the Big East in scoring with fourteen goals, but hasn’t scored more than six goals in a season since. Sure he’s a marked man, but he has under-whelmed with only 31 career goals and a succession of second and third team Big East awards. Speed kills however and Seabrook has bags of it, motivation may have just been a problem in the college game. A former US U20.
2008: Big East Third Team.
2007: Big East Second Team.
2006: Top Drawer Soccer Third Team, Big East Third Team
Hard nosed, gritty, fighter. Terrific athleticism and coordination but not top end speed. I had an epiphany about him that I wanted to share as I finally figured out who he reminded me of. Stay with me here… Not noticeably fast, nor tricky on the ball. A bit on the small side, but stocky and strong. When not near the ball is a bit static but will battle like hell when he’s working for the ball. Tenacious and a nuisance to defenders trying to play out. Not afraid of contact, will hit, fight, scratch, and claw to score and does it in buntches… He’s a young Carlos Ruiz. The trick is figuring out if he’s MLS Carlos Ruiz or just a college Carlos Ruiz. Anyone who says they know which is guessing.A terrific athlete who has a great burst, Amarikwa also has a real nose for goal. At 5-9 he’s a bit on the short side, but at 160 pounds has the strength to hold off bigger defenders. Exploded with 15 goals in his senior year to win the 2008 Big West Offensive Player of the Year award, Amarikwa ends his career with 31 goals.
2008: Top Drawer Soccer Third Team, Soccer America Second Team MVP, All-American Second Team, College Soccer News Second Team, Big West Offensive Player of the Year, First Team.
2007: Big West Second Team
MLS Combine
Check out the athleticism on display on this bicycle kick goal…
A real speedy runner at the forward spot. He hit the best two crosses of the whole combine with his left foot. I like him as a possible wide midfielder even though he didn’t play there.JJ, as he is called, led GMU in scoring this year and ranks in the top 10 in the Colonial Athletic Association in goals (9), assists (7) and points (25). Named the Most Outstanding Performer at the Colonial Athletic Association Soccer Championship with 4 goals and an assist in the GMU title run. Started his career at St Francis before transferring to GMU.
Smart player, dedicated leader. I like him much better wide in midfield or as a second striker than I do as an attacking mid. If only he were one step quicker.Zusi, the standout leader and big game player for the National Champs, has slid down some charts as time moves on from the College Cup, but not this one. You see, even though he plays in the midfield for the Terps and is listed there by most people, I’ve never thought he was much of a midfielder. Instead I see a high winger or withdrawn striker with a tremendous long range shot, a great free kick, fantastic leadership skills, professional work rate, a quick burst, and a opportunistic streak and sense of timing. Is he can’t miss? No, but if you need someone to play the high wing in a 4-3-3 or behind a target as a second striker, you can’t do much worse than Zusi. A strong combine might prove he’s not this year’s Xavier Balc. Ends Terp career with 28 goals and 20 assists playing at the highest possible college level.
2008: Soccer America First Team MVP, Atlantic Coast Conference Second Team
Also pulled out of the combine, giving it a shot in Scandinavia according to reports.Ricketts, 6-0, 175, has been one of the top scorers for Green Bay for four seasons now and was named First Team All-Horizon League the last two years. A former Canadian U17, Ricketts played for the Canucks U20s at the 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup, and has most recently been named to the Canadian U23s. Remarkably five of his six goals in his junior year were game winners. A top sprinter in high school, pace is certainly not a question here. Scored a hat trick against the US last summer in the lead up to the U20 World Cup.
Peters is the kind of small program talent that slides through the gaps and misses the combine, but could very well be a stronger pro candidate than many invited. Peters’ 10 goals and 26 points leads the Missouri Valley Conference, that’s the third season in a row he’s done so. Ends his career as the active leader in the Valley with 33 goals and 84 points. His 12 game winning goals is the most program during EIU’s time in the Missouri Valley Conference (since 1996). Won a state championship in track in high school so the speed and athleticism should be there. His uncle Daryl Doran played in a U.S. record 827 professional indoor soccer games. Peters played PDL for the Colorado Rapids U23.2008: Missouri Valley Conference First Team.
2007: Missouri Valley Conference First Team.
2006: Missouri Valley Conference First Team.
2005: Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team.
Griffin has the kind of resume that used to get attention out of UCLA but doesn’t seem to as much anymore. His career high 10 goals led the Bruins in scoring for the second straight season after he bagged 9 in 2007. He was leading UCLA in scoring with 5 goals in 8 games before he tore his ACL. Likely the knee injury will scare some teams off, but the Pac 10, while down, isn’t garbage by any stretch.2008: P10 First Team.
For some reason Fucito is not on the final combine roster. Plays next to the Ivy super star Andre Akpan, which undoubtedly helped him get more opportunities. With Akpan was named the “Most Exciting Combination” in Division I Men’s Soccer by College Soccer News. Fucito is a lefty and like many forwards might be a good midfield possibility. 2004 Ivy Rookie of the Year and 2006 Harvard MVP. Red shirted in 2005. Two time All-American. Ends Harvard career with with 88 points on 32 goals and 24 assists.2008: All-American Second Team, Ivy First Team.
Christensen has led Denver in scoring the last two years, but is older than most seniors have gone on a Morman mission in 2005 and 2006. Three time First Team MPSF, bracketing his mission, and MPSF Player of the Year this season. Half his goals this year were game winner.2008: Top Drawer Soccer Third Team, MPSF Player of the Year, First Team.
2007: MPSF First Team
2004: MPSF First Team.
Combine List
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Mfanafuthi Bhembe
Alabama A&M
Sr
Bhambe is from Swaziland and to be honest playing for the independent Alabama A&M there isn’t a ton of info on him. He’s top 5 in the nation this season in point per game and goals per game. Finished the year with 14 goals and 3 assists. He was also MVP of the Bradley Tournament. Originally he was listed as the first alternate for the MLS Combine but hasn’t been added despite the loss of Grella and Tracy.Combine ALT
A really smart and savvy player for the front line or maybe even wide midfield. But is soccer smarts enough? Pace is a problem.The 6-0 red shirt senior set the Big Ten on notice in his junior year with 12 goals to be named a unanimous first teamer. Apparently the Big Ten wasn’t paying attention cause DeMartin grabbed 17 goals this year to lead the defensive minded Spartans to both the regular season and tournament Big Ten titles. His 17 goals this season were the most since 1968 when Tony Keyes scored 28. He also picked up the Big Ten Player of the Year nod, only second in MSU history, and a Second Team All-American honor. DeMartin has a good soccer brain with terrific positional sense and good vision, but isn’t highly regarded for athleticism. DeMartin finishes his career with 38 goals which rank fifth on MSU’s all-time list. Michigan Bucks in PDL 05, 07-08.
2008:All-American Second Team, Soccer America First Team MVP, College Soccer News Second Team, Top Drawer Soccer Second Team, Herman Semi-Finalist, Big Ten Player of the Year, First Team.
An intriguing combination of size and skill. The 6′5″ Wright is a three time MPSF honoree and was conference Player of he Year in 2007 with 12 goals and 4 assists but followed it up with an average senior campaign. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he was the center of attention his senior year and saw less space and opportunity. 26 career goals at UNM. Like many forwards he can play in the midfield. Played PDL with Cape Cod Crusaders. As a youth spent two summers training with Atletico Paranaese’s club teams in Curitiba, Brazil.2008: MPSF Second Team.
2007: Top Drawer Soccer Third Team, MPSF Player of the Year, First Team
Often listed as a midfielder, I’ve chosen to leave Brito on the forward list until he proves he can’t produce the goals in the pro environment. Brito has led Quinnipiac in scoring for three years now, been named Northeast Conference Player of the Year twice, been named All-American twice, set a single season school record with 18 goals, led the nation in goals per game this year with 0.95, and leaves the Bobcat program as their all-time D1 goal scorer with 40. At 6-2, 175 he has the size to play up top at the pro level. Brito is from Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde but has a green card. In 2008 led the nation in goals per game (0.95) and points per game (2.05).2008: All-American Third Team, College Soccer News Third Team, NEC Player of the Year, First Team.
2007: All-American Second Team, NEC Player of the Year, First Team
A big college striker who dominated lower level college soccer, but can’t do much at the top level.At 6-3 and with over 50 career goals, Revivo, a former Canadian U20, is the kind of small program prospect that is quite intriguing. The 2008 Big South Player of the Year and Winthrop’s all-time D1 leading scorer, Revivo notched fourteen goals this year and added nine assists to be named Second Team All-American. That’s the first All-American award in soccer for Winthrop since 1984. Being Canadian and having played PDL for the Toronto Lynx, where he was the team MVP, you have to think he will at least be on the Toronto FC radar.
2008: All-American Second Team, College Soccer News Third Team, Big South Player of the Year, First Team.
An always moving forward who looks to come back to midfield and combine going forward. Not fast enough in pace or feet for MLS.A prolific soccer at the lower level and two time SCIAC Player of the Year. Four straight conference titles. 18 goals his senior year following junior and sophomore campaigns of 16 goals and 21 goals respectively. His 8 goals his freshman year are paltry by comparison. 19 career assists to go with the 63 career goals.
2008: Second Team All-American, Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year and First Team
2007: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First Team, Second Team All-American.
2006: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year and First Team, Second Team All-American.
Smart player who gets the game, moves well enough, but there’s nothing special to make him a legit forward. Can he do a Marc Burch like conversion?Good size, decent pace, and a smooth moving runner but hasn’t been a prolific soccer. Started his first two season on defense for Portland before moving up top, likely due to need. Earned two West Coast Conference honorable mentions as a striker. As a forward I don’t see big upside, but if he moves back to defense he’s a good enough soccer player to be worth drafting in a Jonathan Bornstein kind of way. Should have a good soccer brain as his father is the director of soccer at Portland and is the US women’s U23 head coach.
Hard working and fit striker, he gets in the right spots, but doesn’t produce. USL level player.Atlantic Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2008. Led the Atlantic Ten in goals with 15 and points with 38. 9th in the nation in points per game with 2.00, 9th in goals per game at 0.79. Started his college career at Gardner-Webb before transferring to Charlotte after his sophomore season. As a Soph helped G-W win the Atlantic Sun Championship and reach the second round of the NCAA Tournamen; was named Atlantic Sun All-Tournament team in the process.
2008: All-American Second Team, College Soccer News Third Team, Herman Semi-Finalist, Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year, First Team.
A big strong physical forward at 6-1 and 195. First Team Big East in 2008 with a good senior year as a starter , 11 goals and 5 assists, after previously being an off the bench threat. Did not play in 2007. 2008: Big East First Team.
A Canadian. Injured most of his senior year. Only made 9 starts in 13 appearances as a senior after being All-Ivy First Team in 2007 when he led the team with 10 goals, 4 game winners, and 6 assists.2007: Ivy First Team.
Here’s a highlight video from his strong junior year.
A diminutive Scotsman, Boyle led the Hawks in scoring for the third time in his career, he’s finished this campaign second in goals scored (8) and third in points (19) in the Mid-American Conference.2008: Mid-American Conference First Team.
A once highly regarded player out of the Real Madrid youth system. In 2008 he injured his shoulder and fell out of favor. His coach even going so far as to point out the team was performing better when Diaz was missing. Which of course might mean that his teammates were looking to him to carry things. A standout in the Big Ten from the moment he arrived on campus with three Big Ten nods going into his senior year. Ends his career at Wisconsin with 17 goals and 19 assists. Red shirted back in 2004.2007: Big Ten First Team.
2006: Big Ten Second Team.
2005: Big Ten Second Team, Big Ten All-Freshman Team
A 6 foot 4 Frenchman is perhaps a rarity in these parts, DeCamps played as a freshman for Espeme U in Nice France before transferring to Dayton. Second for UD in scoring with nine goals and tied for the team lead in assists with five. He also led the team in game-winning goals with four. Ends Dayton days with 15 goals and 10 assists for the Flyers.2008: Atlantic 10 First Team.
Peruvian U17 and U20. He led the Horizon League and set a Butler single season record with 13 assists, while added three goals. Finished his Butler career with 12 goals and 20 assists.2008: Horizon League First Team.
Australian. Led Niagara with 10 goals and an assist for 21 points during in 2007 season. Played two years at Bryant & Stratton College, where he led the team in scoring his first year. 13 goals and eight assists for 34 points this year to land in the top 20 nationally in several offensive categories2008: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference First Team
Summit League Offensive Player of the Year on the strength of 11 goals and four assists during the regular season. Played JuCo ball at Southwestern Illinois where he was an All-American prior to transferring to UMKC.2008: Summit League Offensive Player of the Year, First Team.
2007: Summit League Second Team
2006: NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention, NSCAA First Team All-American, conference MVP.
A Canadian, Hall led the Orange with five assists this year. Hall started 14 of the team’s 17 matches during the regular season, including all 11 BIG EAST games. He was second on the team in scoring during conference play with eight points (2g, 4a). Started his colligate career at the University of Toronto where he was a North/South Division first-team All-Star.2008: Big East Second Team.
A big, slow lumbering college style striker. A Spaniard, Perera set career highs this year in goals (8) and assists (3) but was far outgunned by Pontius. Most well known as the 2006 College Cup Offensive MVP during UCSBs title run. Ends his UCSB career with 18 goals and 10 assists. Led UCSB in scoring as a sophomore with 7 goals and 4 assists.
Even though he plays up top, he’s more of an assist man. Led Leigh and finished second in the league with seven assists on the season. Taranto also tied for second on the team with four goals on the season, including one game winner. Two-time Patriot League First Team.2008: Partiot League First Team.
Three years as Butler’s leading scorer, two years as conference top scorer. Tallied 12 goals and three assists in 2008 and finished his Butler career with 36 goals and 11 assists.2008: Horizon League First Team.
Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman back in 2005 but hampered by injures the last two years but grabbed a First Team all conference honor in his final campaign. Likely too small at 5-7 to be a real pro prospect. A fast and quick player.2008: Missouri Valley Conference First Team
2005: Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team
Breakout senior campaign with nine goals and 4 assists. Five of his goals were game winner. First Quaker in more than 10 years to collect more than 20 points in a season.2008: Ivy First Team
Moved from midfield to forward in his senior year and led the Hoyas in scoring with 7 goals and two assists despite having never scored prior to this year. Grasso had four game winners for the Hoyas including both at the Cal State-Northridge Tournament.2008: Big East Honorable Mention
Martin was once a promising youngster and is a former US U18 but his career has gone a bit off at Santa Clara. As a freshman at Furman he led the Paladin in scoring with 8 goals and four assist to earn a Second Team SoCon nod. Transferred to Santa Clara and as a sophomore started every game and tied for the team lead with 5 assists while adding 3 goals. Started the first half of his junior year before losing his spot and has been only a bench player since. Played in 15 games his senior year before losing the rest of the season to a knee injury. Six goals ad 9 assists in this time with the Broncos.2006: West Coast Conference Honorable Mention.
A former T&T U14 and a two year starter for URI. Finished senior campaign with 4 goals and 4 assists. Averaging 80+ minutes per game as a striker for the Rams.2008: Atlantic 10 Second Team.
A forward most of his career and a four starter for UC Davis but he can and does play in the midfield as a strong possession oriented player. Led the Aggies in scoring as a junior with a career high 8 goals. Might have enough talent and ball skill to play as a holding mid as a pro. Born in Nigeria, red shirted in 2005.2008: Big West Honorable Mention.
Norwegian. Six goalson the year but a couple big game winners against Duke and Bowling Green. Standnes was the only member of the FAU soccer team selected for post season honors voted by Mid-American Conference coaches. Standnes ends his career in the top 10 at Florida Atlantic for goals (tied-6th with 18), game winning goals (2nd with 9), and points (10th with 40).2008: Mid-American Conference Second Team.
From Senegal. In 2007 led Iona with 10 goals. Second on the team with six goals and three assists in 2008. Two year starter for the Gaels.2008: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Second Team.
Red shirt in 2005. Christner earned his first Pac-10 honor this year when he was given an Honorable Mention nod. He has scored 13 goals and tallied five assists for the Beavers during his career.2008: Pac-10 Honorable Mention
A small but fast, dogged, and gritty player. A starter in 2004 and 2005, moved to the bench in 2006 before red shirting in 2007. Returned this year to a starter to lead Kentucky in scoring with 9 goals. 2004: Mid-American Conference Second Team.
American East Striker of the Year and Rookie of the year in 2005 with 9 goals, but he’s been a marked man since. Has a knack for scoring in big game in post season play. Grew up in the Ivory Coast but has been in teh States since 2003. Led UVM in scoring two of his first three years and finished his career with 19 goals, just outside the UVM all-time top 10.2005: American East Striker of Year, Rookie of the Year, First Team
Another player that migrated to the front line after playing two years in the back. 2008 season totals of eight goals, nine assists and 25 points were all top three for a single-season in school history. 15 goals, 10 assists in his career but only two years as a forward.2008: Big South First Team.
One of Marshall’s stronger players over the last few years with a couple Conference USA nods. The kind of project player who used to occasionally pop up on developmental roster. His father was a collegiate wrestler.2008: Conference USA Third Team.
Tatum was a defender during his first two college campaigns before moving to the front line in 2007 after a medical rd shirt in 2006. Led ORU and Summit League with eight assists and firing four goals for a team-leading 16 points in 2008. Tatum leaves ORU with 11 goals, nine assists.2008: Summit League Second Team.
Another Norwegian, Sandel finished 08 with 2 goals and 5 assists. The 5 assists was second on his team and 5th in the league.2008: Summit League Third Team.
2007: Summit League Newcomer of the Year, First Team, All-Newcomer Team
