MLS CFU to host Caribbean player combine

Major League Soccer ( MLS) announced it will host the first- ever Caribbean player combine, from January 2- 5, 2014, in St John’s, Antigua. The event, in partnership with the Caribbean Football Union ( CFU), will feature elite- level players invited from around the Caribbean, ages 18- 21, who will compete in front of league scouts for an opportunity to earn an invitation to the annual Adidas MLS Player Combine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, later that month.

“We recognise that the CONCACAF area, and particularly the Caribbean, is rich with soccer talent, and this will be an opportunity for our scouts to evaluate and identify the region’s top players,” said MLS Executive Vice- President Todd Durbin. “Caribbean players from islands like Jamaica, Haiti, Grenada and others have been key performers in MLS. This event will help recognise the next generation of MLS stars as we look to achieve our goal of being among the best leagues in the world by 2022.

“The four- day event will take place at the Antigua Recreation Grounds, and will include training sessions and games against local clubs.

“As CFU member associations turn their attention to Russia 2018, this is an exciting developmental opportunity for the opulent young talent in the Caribbean to assess their developmental level and the growth required to play at the highest level,” said CFU President Gordon Derrick.

“This partnership with MLS is another way in which we at the CFU are seeking to bridge the gap that exists between talent availability and scouting opportunities that the Caribbean region has received from professional leagues.” The annual Adidas MLS Player Combine gives professional soccer scouts the opportunity to see top players in action prior to the annual MLS SuperDraft presented by Adidas.