Midwest Pro Combine Grows Footprint in 2017
Seventy-two prodigious players aspiring to sign a professional soccer contract gathered at the Legacy Center Sports Complex this past Monday and Tuesday for the second annual Midwest Pro Combine.
The two-day event, powered by Capelli Sport and supported by the Legacy Center Sports Complex Facility and Staff, brought in over 12 professional clubs seeking talent for their 2018 rosters.
Combine Director Eric Rudland added, “The average level of talent at the combine in 2017 was very good. Depending on a team’s needs there were a number of players on par to make the jump into the pro ranks. It will be exciting to see where our players land over the course of the next 2-3 months.”
The 66 field players were broken into 4 teams, each coached by a local University Coach. Team 1 was led by Chad Wiseman (Western Michigan University), Team 2 by Nick Deren (University of Detroit Mercy), Team 3 by Ben Pirmann (Michigan State University) and Team 4 by Andy Wagstaff (Saginaw Valley State University). The two goalkeeper teams each had 3 to a team that rotated each match spearheaded by coach Jeff Shuk.
On the morning of Day 1 players took part in a light training session to get acclimated with their teammates at the event. Subsequently, players underwent 5 fitness tests (Body Fat Analysis, 5-10-5 Lateral, 10m, 30m & Vertical Jump) administered by the Legacy Center Performance Team, lead by Randy Young.
Lalas Abubakar (Columbus Crew SC) speaks to 2017 MPSC particpants
In the afternoon of Day 1 players came back for their first match of the combine, played in front of professional clubs. Along with their first match of the combine, players sat in on a Q & A session with Columbus Crew Defender, and 2016 MPSC player, Lalas Abubakar. Lalas, who featured in the Crew’s final play-off match vs Toronto FC, painted the picture of a day in the life as a professional soccer player. Having been in the players shoes last year, Lalas was able to shed light on the process of pushing into the pros, the mentality it takes to succeed and answer questions the participating players asked.
On Day 2 players participated in 2 more shortened matches, giving them ample time to showcase their talent in front of the pro clubs in attendance. The event was capped off with final words from the respective team coaches and Combine Director, Eric Rudland.
To watch match footage from the inaugural Midwest Pro Soccer Combine, click here.
About The Midwest Pro Soccer Combine
The second annual Midwest Pro Soccer Combine took place on Monday, December 18th & Tuesday, December 19th at the Legacy Center Sports Complex in Brighton, Michigan. The combine accepted top professional prospects to play for two days in front of professional coaches, scouts and intermediaries from North America and abroad.