Forty-four top collegiate players to participate in event from Dec. 9-12 in conjunction with NCAA Men’s College Cup; Technical staffs from every MLS club to attend
NEW YORK (Monday, December 5, 2022) – Major League Soccer today announced details for the third edition of the adidas MLS College Showcase, which will take place from Dec. 9-12 in Raleigh, N.C in conjunction with the 2022 NCAA Men’s College Cup. The four-day event will give technical staffs from every MLS club an opportunity to scout top collegiate prospects in the nation, including players with remaining NCAA eligibility.
The 2022 adidas MLS College Showcase will feature 44 top college players, ranging from freshmen to graduate students, participating in a series of training sessions, testing, interviews, and match play. This event will allow MLS clubs to scout and interact with potential MLS SuperDraft selections across different stages of their collegiate careers without jeopardizing players’ collegiate eligibility. The 2022 adidas MLS College Showcase is a closed event and only open to MLS club technical staffs.
“We are excited to once again host the adidas MLS College Showcase to provide an opportunity for top college soccer players to display their talents in front of each MLS Clubs’ technical staff,” said Alecko Eskandarian, MLS Senior Director, Player Relations & Player Development. “We appreciate and value the role of college soccer in the player development pathway and have seen many players go on to have successful professional careers after competing in the college ranks. We are thankful for the support from the NCAA and college soccer programs around the country to help execute this event.”
"The 2022 adidas MLS College Showcase provides a critical opportunity for college players to showcase their talents as they pursue a professional career,” said Jason Davis of adidas soccer. “The college game plays an important part of the soccer landscape in the U.S., with players such as Walker Zimmerman, Cristian Roldan, and Aaron Long all coming through the college game to star in MLS and represent the U.S. at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
Fourteen players who participated in the 2021 adidas MLS College Showcase are currently on MLS rosters, including the No. 2 overall selection in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas, goalkeeper Roman Celentano of FC Cincinnati. Celentano used the event in December of 2021 to showcase his abilities in net to coaches and scouts, which ultimately resulted in him signing a Generation adidas contract. The former Indiana Hoosier started 27 games for Cincinnati and helped lead the club to their first postseason appearance and victory in team history.
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The 2022 adidas MLS College Showcase is a closed-door scouting event officially sanctioned by the NCAA. Players on the four remaining teams in College Cup contention will not participate in the 2022 adidas MLS College Showcase; however, technical staffs from MLS clubs will attend the remaining College Cup matches in Cary, N.C. on Dec. 9 and Dec. 12. Â
The full list of 44 players invited to attend the 2022 adidas MLS College Showcase will be released later this week. Please note that the list of invitees is subject to change prior to the event. The eligible player list for the 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas will be announced at a later date following the 2022 adidas MLS College Showcase.
About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer – celebrating its 28th season in 2023 – features 29 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including 2023 expansion team St. Louis CITY SC. For more information about MLS, visit www.MLSsoccer.com.
