Four Local Stars Get Call to Combine

Four New England-based college players will be making the trek to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. for the 2012 MLS Player Combine, which will run from Jan. 6-10, 2012.

The UConn duo of defender Nick Blake and forward Tony Cascio, as well as Dartmouth forward Luckymore Mkosana and Providence goalkeeper Jhojan Obando, are among 52 college seniors that will attempt to improve their SuperDraft stock during the five-day showcase, which will host a number of MLS coaches, general managers and scouts all hoping to get a glimpse of the country’s best college-based talent.

Blake started all 25 games for a Huskies backline that helped shutout its opponents 15 times this year. In addition to his defensive duties, the 6-1 Jamaican also added a goal and three assists on the season.

Cascio scored five goals and collected eight assists for UConn in 2011. During his time in Storrs, the 5-11 striker, who’s also seen time in the middle, racked up 24 goals and 25 assists in 85 career games for Huskies. Earlier this year, he was named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List.

Mkosana picked up 10 goals and an assist in 17 games at Dartmouth this year. The 5-9 Zimbabwean scored 34 goals and 10 assists during his time in Hanover and was given All-Ivy First Team honors in each of his four seasons with the Big Green.

Obando started all 20 games for the Friars this year and collected seven clean sheets in the process. In 44 career games, the 5-11 shot stopper recorded 13 shutouts. Earlier this year, he was named BIG EAST goalkeeper of the week for the week of Sep. 5.