MLS Combine: Alvarez, Rugg Grab Goals

Connecticut forward Carlos Alvarez and Boston College midfielder Charlie Rugg each scored on the first day of scrimmages at the MLS Combine on Friday.

Alvarez, playing for the adiPRIME squad, tallied the squad’s first goal in the 54th minute. He helped them equalize ten minutes later when he fed a pass to Generation adidas prospect Kekuta Manneh, who scored in the 64th minute. The game, which pitted Alvarez and his teammates against the adiPOWER side, ended 2-2.

“The beginning of the game was a little bit of a struggle with a new team and players,” Alvarez told the press after the game. “The coach just told us to relax, play our game and have confidence in our teammates. The first half we were a little sloppy but we got it together and came back in the second half.”

In the second scrimmage of the afternoon, Rugg capped the scoring for adiZERO in a 4-0 romp over adiPURE. Fellow BC Eagle Kyle Bekker earned an assist on the game’s first goal, scored by Notre Dame midfielder Dillon Powers inside of seven minutes. Powers assumed the role of distributor in the 59th minute, when he helped Rugg score the fourth and final goal.

“We felt great out there,” Bekker told the press after the game. “It’s tough because we are a group of guys who haven’t played together for the most part but I think we’re all happy with the way we played.”

The second round of scrimmages is set for Sunday.