One Sounders FC Academy product will be among the class of elite college players competing at the 2016 adidas MLS Player Combine, beginning Thursday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
University of Washington goalkeeper Ryan Herman and Denver University midfielder Jordan Schweitzer were both among the initial list of combine invitees last month. Top collegiate players from across the country will showcase their talents in front of representatives from all 20 MLS clubs at the combine, running Jan. 7-12.
While Schweitzer was among the preliminary list of 59 college invitees, he has withdrawn from the combine. Schweitzer, a defensive midfielder from Everett, Wash., was named to the First Team All-West Region last season after appearing in 19 games for the Pioneers. A member of the Sounders Academy’s Class of 2012, Schweitzer appeared in 73 games over four seasons in Denver, logging two goal and three assists.
All invited players will be eligible for selection in the 2016 SuperDraft, presented by adidas, which will take place on Jan. 14, in Baltimore.
Herman, a 6-foot-7 native of Fall City, Wash., started 18 games in net for the Huskies in 2015 and was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team at the conclusion of last season. He was part of the Sounders Academy’s Class of 2011, and appeared in 42 games over three seasons with the Huskies.
Two other University of Washington players are among the those who will compete at the combine next week: California native and midfielder James Moberg and Vancouver native and forward Josh Heard.
Moberg was a preseason All-Pac-12 selection before a knee injury cut his senior year short, while Heard was an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention after appearing in 19 games for the Huskies.