New England Soccer Today

Locals Get Looks at Combine

Combine1

Friday’s start of the MLS Combine marked the first opportunity for a number of local college prospects to improve their stock ahead of next week’s SuperDraft.

Typically, Matchday #1 matches are often disjointed affairs, with players who’ve never played together trying to get acclimated to each other on the fly. Matchday #2 and #3 often allows for stronger individual showings as players start to learn teammates’ tendencies.

Here’s how the Combine’s New England contingent fared on MatchDay #1, along with their ranking on the current SBISoccer.com Big Board.

Dominique Badji (Boston University): Started up top for Team AdiZero, and was briefly spelled early in the second half. He returned in the 66th minute to replace fellow former Real Boston Ram Fabio Machado, who started the game out on the left. Between the two stints, Badji played a combined 70 minutes, and fired a shot that missed its mark by a wide margin, according to reports. Ranking: 71st.

Adria Beso Marco (Connecticut): The Spaniard was slotted at right midfield for Team Nativo, and went the entire 90. Nativo beat AdiZero 2-0. Ranking: 38th.

Sergio Campbell (Connecticut): Came on in the 35th minute to spell Anthony Manning at center back for Team AdiZero. Rankingt: 41st.

Fabio Machado (Providence): Featured at left midfield for Team AdiZero, where he went 66 minutes before he was replaced by Badji. Ranking: 48th.

*Note: Connecticut’s Cyle Larin, who signed a Generation adidas deal ahead of the Combine, did not participate in Friday’s proceedings. Larin is the consensus number 1 pick for next week’s draft.

UPCOMING COMBINE SCHEDULE

Saturday: Player interviews with clubs

Sunday: Matchday #2
• 12:00 pm ET — Nitro Charge vs. adiZero
• 1:45 pm ET — Predator vs. Navito

Monday: Player interviews with clubs

Tuesday: Matchday #3
• 10:00 am ET — adiZero vs. Predator
• 11:45 am ET — Nitro Charge vs. Navito

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