MLS releases initial list of 2017 MLS Player Combine invitees

Major League Soccer announced on Wednesday the initial list of 53 NCAA Division I college players that have been invited to participate in the 2017 adidas MLS Player Combine in Los Angeles from Jan. 8-12.

All invited players will be eligible for selection in the 2017 SuperDraft presented by adidas, which will take place on Friday, Jan. 13 at the LA Convention Center.

A committee of MLS and NCAA Division I coaches from every conference selected the invitees, all of whom completed their college eligibility this season. Further invitees, including Generation adidas signings, non-collegiate players and additional college seniors, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Headlining the list are University of Denver defender Reagan Dunk, a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist, and Hermann Trophy semifinalists Wake Forest midfielder Jacori Hayes and Indiana University midfielder and All-America First Team pick Tanner Thompson, the brother of MLS midfielder Tommy Thompson. Four other Hermann Trophy semifinalists join them as invitees: UMass-Lowell attacker Wuilito Fernandes, Butler University forward David Goldsmith, Providence College midfielder Julian Gressel and University of Vermont forward Brian Wright.

Additionally, representing two-time defending NCAA champion Stanford University at the Player Combine is defender Brian Nana-Sinkam, the team captain and a 2016 All-Pac 12 First Team selection.

A mix of MLS academy personnel and college head coaches will make up the Combine coaching staff.

Columbia University head coach Kevin Anderson, Seattle University head coach Pete Fewing, University of Denver head coach Jamie Franks and East Tennessee State head coach Bo Oshoniyi will serve as the head coaches for the four Combine teams. The assistant coaches will be CASL Director of Classic Dan Popik, Michigan Rush Director of Coaching Brian Doyle, Sporting Kansas City Academy Director Jon Parry and Beachside of Connecticut Soccer Club Founder and Technical Director Mickey Kydes.