MLS Caribbean Combine explained

The Major League Soccer Caribbean Combine is an annual showcase of Caribbean football talent between the ages of 18 and 21 organized jointly by Major League Soccer and the Caribbean Football Union in 2013, with the inaugural combine being held in January 2014. All 31 member associations are encouraged to send representatives that fit the criteria. The combine provides opportunities for Caribbean players to be observed by MLS scouts with the hopes of being invited to the MLS Combine, an invite-only showcase event held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida prior to the annual MLS SuperDraft. The combine is part of an agreement between the two entities as they try to promote football development throughout the Caribbean region. About the impact of Caribbean players on the league, MLS Technical Director Alfonso Mondelo said, "Quite a few players have played, continue to play in the MLS and have done so successfully...Now we are looking forward to the next generation of players who will be coming in", while MLS Executive Vice President Todd Durbin said, "We recognize 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...Caribbean players from islands like Jamaica, Haiti, Grenada and others have been key performers in MLS. This event will help recognize the next generation of MLS stars as we look to achieve our goal of being among the best leagues in the world by 2022." From a Caribbean perspective, CFU President Gordon Derrick stated, "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...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."^{[1] [2]}

2014

The 2014 Caribbean Combine took place at the Antigua Recreation Ground in St. John’s, Antigua from January 2–4; and featured 24 players from 16 different Caribbean nations. Originally 32 players were nominated but eight were not invited to the final combine by the MLS technical team.^{[3] [4]} The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association did not have any representatives at the combine after an "administrative error" led to no paperwork being submitted to the CFU by the association.^[5] Of the 23 players who were invited, only Stefano Rijssel and Quinton Christina were invited to the MLS Combine.^[6] Rijssel went on to be the first ever player from the Caribbean Combine to be drafted after he was selected in the 3rd round, 55th overall, by Seattle Sounders FC.^[7] However, Rijssel was cut by the team during preseason and was ultimately not signed.^[8]

Players

Name	Nationality	Date of birth	Position	Notes
Damian Bailey		January 2, 2014	D/M
Quinton Griffith		January 2, 2014	D/M
Stefan Smith		January 2, 2014	F
Leroy Oehlers		January 2, 2014	D
Drewonde Bascome		January 2, 2014	M
Kavon Troy Ceasar		January 2, 2014	D
Ramon Sealy		January 2, 2014	GK
Quinton Christina		January 2, 2014	D/F	Selected for MLS Combine
Malcolm Joseph		January 2, 2014	D
Delbert Graham		January 2, 2014	M
Vladimir Pascal		January 2, 2014	F/M
Steven Davidas		January 2, 2014	M
Jean Ismael Voltaire		January 2, 2014	D
Luckner Junior Horat		January 2, 2014	D
Kemar Lawrence		January 2, 2014	M/D
Kendell Allen		January 2, 2014	D
Joseph Marrero		January 2, 2014	M
Samuel J. Soto Alvarez		January 2, 2014	F/M
Jose Sandoval		January 2, 2014	M
Jamal J. Francis		January 2, 2014	GK
Kimaree B.A. Rogers		January 2, 2014	M/F
Eden Charles		January 2, 2014	M
Stefano Rijssel		January 2, 2014	M/F	Selected for MLS Combine
Miguel Danny Darson		January 2, 2014	D

Known rejected players

Name	Nationality	Date of birth	Position	Reference
Matthew Suberan		January 2, 2014	M/F
Jermaine Woozencroft		January 2, 2014	M/F	^[9]

Drafted players

2015

The 2015 Caribbean Combine was held between January 2 and 5, 2015, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The combine took place at the facilities of Bayamón FC, including Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, and featured matches with local clubs.^[10] For the combine, 19 players representing 17 associations from the region were invited.^[11] Following the Caribbean Combine, only Jean Carlos Lopez Moscoso of the Dominican Republic was invited to the MLS Combine.^[12] No players from the Caribbean combine were selected as Lopez was not taken in any of the four rounds of the draft.^[13]

Players

Name	Nationality	Date of birth	Position	Notes
Mavrick Annerose		January 2, 2015	MF
Julani Archibald		January 2, 2015	GK
Ronaldo Bailey		January 2, 2015	DF
Troy Caesar		January 2, 2015	DF
Emmery Edward		January 2, 2015	FW
Marco Fenelus		January 2, 2015	FW
Kevin Francis		January 2, 2015	DF
Tevaughn Harriette		January 2, 2015	FW
Vershawn Hodge		January 2, 2015	MF
Sydney Lockhart		January 2, 2015	MF
Jean Carlos Lopez Moscoso		January 2, 2015	MF	Selected for MLS Combine
Joseph Marrero		January 2, 2015	MF
Anani Mohamed		January 2, 2015	FW
Clifford Newby-Harris		January 2, 2015	DF
Kyrhon Phillip		January 2, 2015	MF
Jonte Smith		January 2, 2015	FW
Denny Smith		January 2, 2014	GK
Reid Strain		January 2, 2015	FW
Jermaine Woozencroft		January 2, 2015	MF

Known rejected players

2016

The 2016 edition of the MLS Caribbean Combine was held on three different islands at different times, unlike previous years in which it was held at a central location. Players were invited to specific host islands based on their country of origin. Twenty four players were invited to each location for a total of 72 players, a significant increase over previous years. The reason for decentralizing the combine was to make it easier for more nations to participate.^[15]

Hosting and known players

• Saint Kitts and Nevis hosted players from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, and the United States Virgin Islands from 13 December to 16 December^{[15] [16]} at the Warner Park Sporting Complex.^[17]

Name	Nationality	Date of birth	Position	Notes	Ref.
Carlos Bertie
Javiem Blanchette		December 15, 2015	FW
Raheem Francis		December 15, 2015	MF
Novelle Francis Jr.					^[18]
Keithroy Freeman		December 15, 2015	DF
Jonathan Guishard		December 15, 2015	DF		^[19]
Tevaughn Harriette		December 15, 2015	MF
Germain Hughes		December 15, 2015	MF
Jorginho James		December 15, 2015	MF	Selected for MLS Combine	^[20] ^[21]
Eugene Kirwan		December 15, 2015	MF
Amal Knight			MF
Malik Liburd
Chevone Marsh		December 15, 2015	GK
Lorne Maxime Jr.		December 15, 2015	FW
Ryan Miller			MF
Clyde Mitchum		December 15, 2015	DF
Aljah Newton
Shavorn Phillip		December 15, 2015	DF
Alrique Rogers		December 15, 2015	FW
Jamoy Stevens		December 15, 2015	DF
Elvis Thomas		December 15, 2015	FW
Shamoy Thompson		December 15, 2015	MF		^[22]

• Curaçao hosted players from Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Bonaire, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago from 17 December to 20 December.^[15] Ten total players from Aruba, Bonaire, the Dominican Republic, and Guyana attended in addition to ten Curaçao players who met the requirements.^[23]

Name	Nationality	Date of birth	Position	Notes	Ref.
Delon Lanferman			FW		^[24]
Yurick Seinpaal		December 17, 2015	FW		^[25]
Jumane Somerset			DF
Alexander Vidal Ceballos		December 17, 2015	DF		^[26]

• Martinique hosted players from Barbados, Dominica, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia from 1 January and 4 January.^[15]

Name	Nationality	Date of birth	Position	Notes	Ref.
Anfernee Frederick		January 4, 2016	MF		^[27]
Briel Thomas		January 4, 2016	MF
Lejuan Simmons		January 4, 2016	FW		^[28]
Jomo Harris		January 4, 2016	MF		^[29]
Romario Harewood		January 4, 2016	MF
Jordy Delem		January 4, 2016	MF		^[30]
Johnny Marajo		January 4, 2016	FW
Franck-Olivier Rochambeau		January 4, 2016	FW
Jean-Manuel Nédra			DF
Ambroise Félicité

2017

In October 2016 it was announced that the base of the 2017 MLS Caribbean Combine would be merged with the final round of CFU 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualification taking place that same month. The qualifiers would be attended directly by scouts from MLS teams, with representatives from at least the Philadelphia Union, Real Salt Lake, and Seattle Sounders FC confirmed to attend. The decision to combine the two events was logistical since many of the region's best young players and national teams from the desired age group would be participating.^[31] The new format meant that players from nations that were not part of the competition would not have the opportunity to be scouted at this edition of the combine.^[32]

2018

The combine returned to a single-venue, invite-only format in 2018. This edition of the combine was the first held outside of the Caribbean with the three-day event taking place at the Sawgrass Hotel and Suites Sports Complex outside of Fort Lauderdale, Florida from January 9–11, 2018. Chosen invitees will then attend the MLS Player Combine from January 11–17 in Orlando. In total, 22 players were invited to attend the event.^[33] Ultimately, no players from the Caribbean Combine were invited to the MLS Combine.^[34]

Players

Name	Nationality	Date of birth	Position	Notes
Oniel Anderson		January 11, 2018	D
Jeff Beljour		January 11, 2018	D/M
Mazhye Burchall		January 11, 2018	F
Thierry Catherine		January 11, 2018	M
Jonah Ebanks		January 11, 2018	M
Kyle Edwards		January 11, 2018	M
Djai Essed		January 11, 2018	D
Maalique Foster		January 11, 2018	F
Jules Haabo		January 11, 2018	M
Hadan Holligan		January 11, 2018	M
Germain Hughes		January 11, 2018	M/D
Andrez Joseph		January 11, 2018	D
Tyrique Lake		January 11, 2018	M/D
Alex Marshall		January 11, 2018	F/M
Gylles Mitchel		January 11, 2018	M/D
G'Vaune Amory		January 11, 2018	M
Nickenson Paul		January 11, 2018	M
Na-jir Jacques Peney		January 11, 2018	M
Jamarlie Stevens		January 11, 2018	D
Kathon St. Hillaire		January 11, 2018	M/F
Gilbert Tilus		January 11, 2018	D
Josiah Trimmingham		January 11, 2018	M

2019

The 2019 MLS Caribbean Combine was held in Kingston, Jamaica from 15-18 October and in Bridgetown, Barbados from Oct. 22-25, 2018.^[35] Fifteen nations sent representatives to the combines.^[36] Addition details were released regarding compensation for players and former club, if applicable, if signed by an MLS club as a result of the combine. These details included the player’s club will receiving an Adidas allotment and a transfer fee of US $50,000 if the player’s MLS option for 2020 is exercised. Additional compensation was available to former club depending on the player's performance including US$25,000 after 15 official MLS appearances, $50,000 after 30 official MLS appearances, and $100,000 after 60 official MLS appearances. Finally, a player’s former club would receive 20% of any transfer fees received by the MLS within the first four years of the player’s employment in the league.^[37] Jamaican midfielder Peter-Lee Vassell was named MVP of the combine^[38] and was invited to the 2019 MLS Combine^[39] Vassell was then selected by Los Angeles FC with the 19th overall pick in the draft.^[38] He was later signed by the club for the 2019 Major League Soccer season,^[40] becoming the first player to ever be signed by a Major League Soccer side after featuring in the Caribbean Combine.

Known players

Name	Nationality	Date of birth	Position	Notes
Ackeel Applewhaite		October 25, 2018	MF	^[41]
Chavel Cunningham		October 25, 2018	FW
Kevin Dundas		October 25, 2018	DF
Vino Barclett		October 25, 2018	GK	^[42]
Javid George		October 25, 2018	FW	^[43]
Ryan Hackette		October 25, 2018	MF
Raejae Joseph		October 25, 2018	MF	^[44]
Kevin Layne		October 25, 2018	DF
Omani Leacock		October 25, 2018	MF
Kiano Martin		October 25, 2018	DF
Kishmar Primus		October 25, 2018	GK
Joel Quashie		October 25, 2018	MF
Peter-Lee Vassell		October 25, 2018	MF	Invited to 2019 MLS Combine, drafted and signed

2020

The 2020 MLS Caribbean Combine took place in Kingston, Jamaica from December 2 to December 4, 2019.^[45]

Known players

Name	Nationality	Date of birth	Position	Notes
Stefforn Abraham		December 2, 2019	MF	^[46]
Akeem Chambers		December 2, 2019	GK
Andre Fletcher		December 2, 2019	MF
Jeremy Loogman		December 2, 2019	GK	^[47]
Yohannes Mitchum		December 2, 2019	MF	^[48]
Tafari Smith		December 2, 2019	DF	^[49]
Petrez Williams		December 2, 2019	DF

See also

• MLS Combine
• MLS SuperDraft

Notes and References

1. Web site: CFU, MLS ink partnership agreement. CONCACAF. 16 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222145022/http://www.concacaf.com/article/cfu-mls-ink-partnership-agreement. 22 December 2015. dead.
2. Web site: Major League Soccer partners with Caribbean Football Union to host first-ever Caribbean Player Combine. Major League Soccer. 16 December 2013.
3. Web site: Morales. Kevin. Sealy seals deal to MLS/CFU Combine. cayman27.com. 18 December 2013. Watler, Kevin. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131219205837/http://www.cayman27.com.ky/2013/12/17/sealy-seals-deal-to-mlscfu-combine. 19 December 2013.
4. Web site: 24 Players from 16 Nations Invited to 2014 Caribbean Player Combine. cfufootball.org. 16 December 2013. 16 December 2013.
5. Web site: Liburd. Lasana. TTFA bungle denies local starlets of MLS opportunity. Wired868.com. 4 December 2014.
6. Web site: Historic CFU MLS Combine Comes To An End. Antigua and Barbuda Football Association. 8 January 2014.
7. Web site: SuperDraft: Caribbean Combine star Stefano Rijssel highlights picks in Rounds 3, 4. Major League Soccer. 21 January 2014.
8. Web site: Mayers. Joshua. Wednesday notes: Danny O’Rourke joins training camp, first cuts made. Seattle Times. 13 February 2014.
9. Web site: JFF Names Two for CFU MLS Caribbean Combine. Jamaica Football Federation. 18 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131220091154/http://www.jamaicafootballfederation.com/v1/jff-names-two-cfu-mls-caribbean-combine/. 20 December 2013. dead.
10. Web site: MLS, Caribbean Football Union to host second Caribbean Player Combine in Puerto Rico. Major League Soccer. 25 November 2014.
11. Web site: Major League Soccer announces 19 players invited to Caribbean Combine. Major League Soccer. 6 January 2015. 3 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150103214916/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/01/01/major-league-soccer-announces-19-players-invited-caribbean-combine. dead.
12. Web site: Major League Soccer announces 2015 Generation adidas class. Major League Soccer. 9 January 2015. 22 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150122235423/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/01/08/major-league-soccer-announces-2015-generation-adidas-class. dead.
13. Web site: 2015 MLS SuperDraft Draft Tracker. Major League Soccer. 21 January 2015.
14. Web site: Woozencroft Selected By CFU for CFU/MLS Combine. www.iriefm.net. 8 January 2015. dead. https://archive.today/20150115015519/http://www.iriefm.net/news/sports/woozencroft-selected-cfu-cfumls-combine. 15 January 2015.
15. Web site: 2015 MLS Combine to be held across three islands. Caribbean Football Union. 14 December 2015.
16. Web site: Major League Soccer try-outs in St. Kitts for the first time. miyvue.com. 14 December 2015.
17. Web site: Abel. Jermine. MLS Combine expected to raise the level of local. The Saint Kitts and Nevis Observer. 18 December 2015.
18. Web site: Six Antiguans to attend St. Kitts leg of 2015 MLS Combine. antiguafootball.com. 15 December 2015.
19. Web site: Happening now, Press conference for the MLS Combine. This afternoon the players take to stage at 5:00 p.m at Warner Park. Come on out and see your St. Kitts-Nevis Players showcase their talents. The players competing are:. Saint Kitts and Nevis Football Association. 16 December 2015.
20. Web site: Four local footballers selected for CFU Combine. rjrnewsonline.com. 15 December 2015.
21. Web site: Jamaica's Jorginho James gets MLS Combine nod. Caribbean Football Union. 30 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160102191253/http://cfufootball.org/index.php/men-s-u20/9764-jamaica-s-jorginho-james-gets-mls-combine-nod. 2 January 2016. dead.
22. Web site: Thompson off to MLS Caribbean Soccer Combine. /www.virginislandsnewsonline.com. 14 December 2015.
23. Web site: Molenaar. Lidanel. Major Soccer League Combine selection matches on Curacao. FFK. 21 January 2016.
24. Web site: Footballers depart for CFU/MLS Combine in Curacao. gnngy.com. 16 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222130327/http://gnngy.com/footballers-depart-for-cfumls-combine-in-curacao/. 22 December 2015. dead.
25. Web site: Jurick Seinpaal ta Hasi Tryout. ExtraBon. 18 December 2015.
26. Web site: Grullon. Franklin. Alexánder Vidal seleccionado para MLS Caribbean Combine. balompiedominicano.com. 19 December 2015.
27. Web site: Thomas and Frederick to participate in CFU MLS Combine tryout. Dominica Football Association. 17 December 2015.
28. Web site: Lejuan Simmons To Participate In MLS Combine. 30 December 2015.
29. Web site: Opportunities for Bajan footballers. Barbados today. 3 January 2016.
30. Web site: Des footballeurs martiniquais bientôt professionnels aux États-Unis ?. Martinique 1ère. 4 January 2016.
31. Web site: Annual MLS-CFU Combine merges with CFU U-20 Qualifiers. Caribbean Football Union. 20 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161025052905/http://www.cfufootball.org/index.php/men-s-u20/9885-annual-mls-cfu-combine-merges-with-cfu-u-20-qualifiers. 25 October 2016. dead.
32. Web site: Webster. Jade. MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER CARIBBEAN COMBINE CHANGES FORMAT. Cayman 27. 24 November 2016.
33. Web site: Stejskal. Sam. MLS invites 22 players to 2018 Caribbean Combine. Major League Soccer. 20 December 2017.
34. Web site: Baer. Benjamin. Combine rosters, schedule. Major League Soccer. 14 January 2018.
35. Web site: Butler . Dylan . Major League Soccer announces 2019 Combine, SuperDraft dates, locations . Major League Soccer . 6 August 2019.
36. Web site: Three national players to participate in MLS Caribbean Combined . kaieteurnewsonline.com . 6 August 2019.
37. Web site: Vincentian footballers on MLS try out . Searchlight.vc . 8 August 2019.
38. Web site: LAFC Selects Peter-Lee Vassell With No. 40 Overall Pick In 2019 MLS SuperDraft . Los Angeles FC . 6 August 2019.
39. Web site: Top players arrive in Florida for 2019 adidas MLS Combine . Major League Soccer . 6 August 2019.
40. Web site: Rodriguez . Alicia . LAFC sign 2019 MLS Draft pick Peter-Lee Vassell . MSN . 6 August 2019.
41. Web site: Goodridge-Boyce . Anmar . MLS chance for senior ballers . nationnews.com . 6 August 2019.
42. Web site: St Lucian Barclette to partake in 2018 MLS Caribbean Combine Invitational . stlucianewsonline.com . 6 August 2019 . 6 August 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190806222803/https://www.stlucianewsonline.com/st-lucian-barclette-invited-to-2018-mls-caribbean-combine-invitational/ . dead .
43. Web site: Two Dominican footballers head for MLS Caribbean Combine tryout . dominicanewsonline.com . 6 August 2019.
44. Web site: LOCAL SPORTS ROUNDUP: St. Croix native to attend MLS Caribbean Combine . virginislandsdailynews.com . 6 August 2019.
45. Web site: Ming . Akino . W’house’s Chambers, Fletcher invited to MLS Combine . The Jamaica Star . 14 December 2019.
46. Web site: Grenadian Mid-Fielder On MLS Trials . WEE FM Grenada . 15 December 2019.
47. Web site: Jeremy Loogman . Bonaire Football Federation . 14 December 2019.
48. Web site: Mitchum, Williams . St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association . 14 December 2019.
49. Web site: Tafari Smith . Anguilla Football Association . 14 December 2019.