The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Jerson Monteiro Reports To MLS Combine
1/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Jan. 5, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB forward Jerson Monteiro was among the 58 college seniors who were selected to participate in the 2007 adidas MLS Player Combine. Monteiro was also one of six Conference USA players to join the event, along with SMU defender Jay Needham and midfielder Chase Wileman, Marshall forward/midfielder Karim Boukhemis, and forwards Riley O'Neill of Kentucky and Mike Sambursky of South Carolina, reported today for the annual player combine, which will be held through Jan. 8 at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Monteiro, a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) second-team All-Midwest Region performer, had a career season for the Blazers in 2006. The Houston, Texas native led the team in goals (14), assists (7) and points (35) on the campaign. The 14 goals tied for fourth-most in a season in school history, while his 35points were fifth-best in UAB lore. Furthermore, the first team all-conference honoree, closed his career with 34 goals and 84 points during his outstanding career. Those numbers rank second on the school's all-time list.
The coaching staffs and general managers from all 13 MLS teams will be in attendance to scout talent at the 2007 adidas MLS Player Combine, which concludes four days before the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. The 2007 MLS SuperDraft will be held on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007 in Indianapolis, Ind. in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention at the Indiana Convention Center. Of the 48 players selected in the four rounds of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, 23 had participated in the 2006 adidas MLS Player Combine.
The initial list of players for this year's combine was determined by a select panel of Division I college coaches, representing all conferences, who nominated and voted for players in conjunction with MLS coaches. The 2007 adidas MLS Player Combine will separate all players into four teams and feature doubleheaders at Lockhart Stadium on Jan. 5, 6 and 8. Players will participate in organizational training sessions today.
Only the ACC (12) and Big East (9) Conferences have more players represented than Conference USA.
