I thought that there were 3-4 players that showed some promise. However, I really do not know much about soccer.

From what I know about the game..I believe the coaches were looking for players with good first touch, smart decision making and of course quickness and any physical attributes. I really hope they consider some locals to help the growth of soccer in both Minnesota and neighboring states.

And the bell sounds for round 2...

For the first year, I have received the original list of all applicants, pre-winnowing.

139 players have sent in applications. From players with MLS experience to African and Carribean players with national team experience to players with experience in the British, French, Scottish, and Italian lower divisions, to graduating college players to rec league players to one applicant who, under the "current team" space on the application, wrote, "I think I am going to be the best player in the world". (I'll be doing especially extensive research on him! )

It will probably be whittled down to around 60 to 70-some players before the combine begins. Some applicants will never reply to our acceptance of their application. Some will cancel for injury or other reasons. Some will just not have enough to make the preliminary cut.

Others may very well be added at the last minute. In every combine, there are a few invitees recommended from the club's sources and soccer contacts who merit a look. I will try to keep up with the goings on through the combine, itself (Again, I will be attending this one).

So, I will begin my research tonight and hope to have some results by this weekend. If the preliminary short sampling of names I gave a quick run through the search engines are any indication, this will be a combine worth dropping by and observing. (It's open to the public, more details later.)

"And awaaaaaayy we go!" calls out

That little old jersey collector

Me

"Players win games and players lose games - it's all about players, really." - Bobby Ferguson, Scottish International goalkeeper

Anyone from the fantasy camp apply. #totaljackassery show some promise on the back line. Jackfingc netted a few goals and Seamonster distributed the ball well in the midfield. I know Djorn and I have been locked in extensive contract negotiations. Not sure how that will tirn out.

This is always one of my favorite threads of the pre season.
Uhclem puts in a lot of work to make this fun. Thanks!

I love trying to guess who might be the next hero for the Minnesota Stars FC.


*Similar but different list of league wide players under consideration
NASL League -Combine list (Florida)
http://nasl.ezitsolutions.com/userfiles/files/NASL%20Combine%202012%20Player%20List.pdf

Who is planning on going up to the combine. I think I am going to take some PTO time from work and head over there.

Just a quick update...

Have sent in the first half of the report to the club. I expect to send the second half in by this Monday AM, with posting here shortly after the first set of updates has been sent to me.

Nothing exceptionally weird so far. But there are a few rather interesting possibilities in the positions we are looking for, mainly Forwards and speedy wingers (one applicant has a video highlight reel titled something like "Faster than Theo Walcott", which just might be the case).

Anyway, time to crawl back into the hole. I hope to have the report posted here by mid-week.

Shifting the search engines back into overdrive, I remain

That little old jersey collector

Me

"Dimitar Berbatov doubles his goal tally in the league this season from one to three." - Guy Mowbray, BBC1

I just hope there are some players that can score. That's what its all about, right?

I have already started refreshing this page four or five times a day in prayerful hope that the report shows up early.

Well, it's here.

The club has whittled down the applications from 140 or so down to 44 invitees. This would be a record low for the Thunder/Stars, but this can probably be explained by there being three combines this year.

Between the local combine already held, the invitee combine next week and the Grande combine in Arizona later on, Manny and Co. will get to look at more than a hundred players. But by only scheduling them at about 30 to 40 at a time, they will get more of a look at each one. Less chance of one getting lost in the crowd.

Also, the contest is on again this year. I'll post the full rules again this weekend, but start picking your first six favs and your 4 reservists from this list and the local combine list (in case of cancellations). A free jersey awaits the winner.

2012 Invitee Combine Post

Mohamed Abdi - F - 6’5” 220 - 25
Was an invitee to 2007 combine. Played on Riverland C.C. soccer team

Abdifatah Ahmed - F- 5’6 - 140 - 23
Info on last team
http://www.midnimofc.com/index.html

Jose Alvarez - M - 6’0 - 170 - 25
?
Claims to have played for Cerro Reyes in Spain’s third division.

Amadou Bathily - M - __ - __ - 27
Club profile
http://www.hlmfc.com/index.php?option=co...=59&lang=fr

Played on Arizona State Intramural side (maybe)
http://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fb...115058451896907

FB page
http://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000419694161&refid=52&_ft_=fbid.115058451896907%3Ainterface.m_basic%3Ac.m

Video hilites
http://vimeo.com/24927956

Maroine Ben Salah - M - 6’0 - 170 - 23
?
Claims to have played for Olympique Grande Synthe in French 4th division.

Greg Borchers - M - 5’8 - 160 - 21
2012 Infosport report
http://www.infosportinc.com/2012gregborchers.html

College pic, bio and honors
http://ummcougars.org/roster.aspx?rp_id=1144

Alen Bradaric
Pic and bio
http://www.fpfooty.com/?p=2095

http://www.fpfooty.com/?p=2374

College pic and bio
http://www.lindenwoodlions.com/roster.aspx?path=&rp_id=1140

Senior stats
http://www.lindenwoodlions.com/custompages/men_soccer/2009/09LUmsocstats.html

College career stats
http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/Te...=9116&tab=2

Current PASL stats
http://pasl_site.stats.pointstreak.com/teamplayerstats.html?teamid=347855&seasonid=8142

Video hilites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnIZGuvTuJg

Myspace page
http://www.myspace.com/alenb

Danny Broughan - M - 5’8 - 165 - 28
Bio
http://www.uvm.edu/~gradcoll/?Page=News&storyID=3907

Senior stats
http://uvmathletics.com/custompages/MensSoccer/2006/2006TEAMCUME.HTM

Matt Browne - D - 6’0 - 170 - 24
Day job
http://www.bcofmn.com/staff/matt_browne

Played for MNSU Mankato Club soccer team
http://www.teampages.com/teams/5564/seasonal_roster

Also claims to have played for TC Fire 05.

John Collins - GK - 6’0 - 180 - 26
?
Claims to have played for Cruz Azul in CCSL (Californian amateur league)

Rolando Danha - F - 6’0 - 175 - 25
FB page
http://www.facebook.com/rolando.danha?sk=wall&v=wall

NPSL experience with pic
http://www.nationalpremiersoccerleague.com/teams/33985895/14199863-33985988/16222835.html

Michael Dietze - F - 5’11 - 160 - 22
College bio
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Rw155EqkOigJ:www.shupirates.com/ViewArticle.dbml%3FDB_OEM_ID%3D12600%26ATCLID%3D1568535+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Pic
http://dev5.www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer/college-player-profile/michael-dietze/cpid-332

Evroy Ellis - M - 5’8 - 150 - 21
Basic info with video hilites
http://www.soccer-talents.com/Evroy_Ellis-3_7-94659-12.html

College pic and bio
http://golimestonesaints.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1202&path=msoc

2010 college stats
http://golimestonesaints.com/custompages/msoccer/2010/teamcume.htm#TEAM.IND

College honor
http://golimestonesaints.com/news/2010/11/5/MSOC_1105101807.aspx?path=msoc

Pro pic and bio
http://capitalcityfc.com/club/roster/?player_id=11

2011 CFL stats
http://capitalcityfc.com/club/teamstats/

Feature article
http://www.rednationonline.ca/HiddengemsintheCSL.aspx

Video interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2Rab24XRFM

Steven Grand - M - 5’10 - 165 - 24
Coaching youth:
http://www.soccertournament.com/sicTeam.aspx?sinc=Y&id=MNF95069

Played for St. Mary�s U.
http://www.carleton.edu/departments/publ/sportsinfo/msoccer/2005/car-smu1.htm

Senior stats:
http://www.nwcraiders.com/content/msoccer/MSoccer08.HTM#TEAM.IND

Twitter page:
https://twitter.com/#!/stevenisgrand

Coaches HS soccer:
http://north.isd622.org/boyssoccer.aspx

Current employment:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/steven-grand/41/5a0/789

Joseph Hickman - M - 5’7 - 145 - 23
PDL pic
http://www.ogdenoutlaws.com/roster/?show=4

2011 PDL stats
http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/2011/4069040.html#STATS

HS stats
http://www.deseretnews.com/sports/high-s...Date=2010-03-11

Vedran Ilic - M - 5’11 - 165 - 24
College pic and bio
http://www.ashfordathletics.com/roster/8/6/2286.php

Senior stats
http://www.ashfordathletics.com/stats/2010-11/mSoccer/teamcume.htm#TEAM.IND

Ashford career stats
http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Te...24995&tab=2

Adam Janssen - GK - 6’1 - 185 - 21
College pic and bio
http://www.liuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1139

College career stats
http://www.liuathletics.com/custompages/msoc/2011/HISTCARR.HTM#10

Senior honor
http://www.liuathletics.com/news/2011/11/10/MSOC_1110111402.aspx?path=msoc

Video hilites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PBlNtoenJE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enje4AipF0c

National team duty
http://www.northeastconference.org/news/2010/12/17/msoc-janssencanadarel.aspx

Matt Johnson - M - 5’8 - 145 - 22
2012 Infosport report
http://www.infosportinc.com/2012mattjohnson.html

College pic and bio
http://ummcougars.org/roster.aspx?rp_id=1154&path=msoc

Senior stats
http://ummcougars.org/sports/2011/11/17/MSOC_1117110529.aspx?id=271

Colin MacGregor - M - 5’10 - 160 - 24
FB page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129263293779073&v=wall#!/profile.php?id=65502550

Organ izer
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129263293779073&v=wall

Francesco Macheda - F - 5’10 - 175 - 26
?
Claims to have played for Salisbury Villa in Austrailia amateur league.

Menesky Magloire - D - 5’9 - 175 - 23
College pic and bio
http://www.brooklyncollegeathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=250&path=msoc

Senior stats
http://www.brooklyncollegeathletics.com/custompages/msoc/2009/HTML/TEAMCUME.HTM#TEAM.IND

Praise from college coaches
http://www.brooklynitalians.org/home/157015.html

http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/spotlite/mondaypaper/10_06_08/Sports.php

Abderrahman Makloufi - F - 5’10 - 165 - 23
Confirms club (scroll halfway down)
http://www.123people.fr/s/alexis+legent

Max Malmquist - M - 5’9 - 160 - 23
2012 Infosport report
http://www.infosportinc.com/2012maxmalmquist.html

College pic
https://gustavus.edu/athletics/msc/roster/2010/1860

Senior stats
https://gustavus.edu/athletics/msc/archives/2010/stats/teamcume.htm#TEAM.IND

2011 PDL stats
http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/2011/4069040.html#STATS

Miles Marmo - F - 6’1 - 175 - 24
1st college pic and bio
http://www.denverpioneers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18600&ATCLID=1152726

2nd college pic and bio
http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/marmo_miles00.html

FB page
http://www.facebook.com/people/Miles-Marmo/1272120079

Twitter page
https://twitter.com/#!/@DigitalMarmo

Coaching
http://onside-coaching.com/staff.html

Nana-Yaw Mensah - F - 5’9 - 170 - 22
FB page
http://www.facebook.com/people/Nana-Yaw-Mensah/100001004038806

2011 PDL stats
http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/2011/22302.html#STATS

Andres Morales - D - 5’8 - 155 - 19
Club team
http://www.soccerincollege.com/sicteam.aspx?id=GAM93026

Derek Oelmann - F - 6’0 - 165 - 21
College pic and bio
http://www.upperiowaathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1114

Senior Stats
http://www.upperiowaathletics.com/custom...me.htm#TEAM.IND

2012 Infosport report (evaluator: Manny)
http://www.infosportinc.com/2012derekoelmann.html

Coach at N Iowa U
http://www.uni.edu/coe/departments/schoo...st-kicks/fc-1-7

FB page
http://www.facebook.com/derek.oelmann#!/derek.oelmann?sk=info

Twitter page
https://twitter.com/#!/derekoelmann2

Played HS gridiron
http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/ueajFD3CfUW8FnXrCsI-jg/football-fall-06/profile-derek-oelmann.htm

Senior honor
http://www.nscaa.com/news/2011/12/2011-ncaa-division-ii-men-all-central-region

Rates movies on Flixster
http://community.flixster.com/user/sportalien2

Jason Olsgard - D - 5’10 - 170 - 22
College pic and bio
http://www.upperiowaathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1115

Senior stats
http://www.upperiowaathletics.com/custom...me.htm#TEAM.IND

2012 Infosport report
http://www.infosportinc.com/2012jasonolsgard.html

Adrian Ortiz - M - 5’10 - 160 - 22
College pic, bio and stats
http://www.valpoathletics.com/prospects/staff/5515/adrian-ortiz/

Article
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/v...a3464e5f4f.html

Made first cut at 2011 Fire open tryouts
http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2011/01/2011-open-tryouts

Participated at 2011 Pro Pace Combine
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pro-Pace-Soccer-Combine/188661508507

Member of Railhawks U-23 team
http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=874

Twitter page
https://twitter.com/#!/AOrtiz_3

Troy Osborne - GK - 6’0 - 185 - 24
College pic and bio
http://www.iwctigers.com/roster/9/7/1252.php

Senior stats
http://www.iwctigers.com/stats/2011-12/MSOC/TEAMCUME.HTM#TEAM.IND

NPSL honor
http://www.midwestcollegiateconference.com/article/980.php

Video hilites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktUK8wp0Xsg

FB page
http://www.facebook.com/people/Troy-Osborne/506140804

Twitter page
https://twitter.com/#!/troy_osborne87

Article
http://www.leadertelegram.com/sports/community/article_9ec5ce54-9e1b-11e0-848a-001cc4c002e0.html

Ji-Sung Park - M - 5’10 - 170 - 27
?
Claims to have played for Seoul FC Martyrs in Korean 3rd division.

Josef Ndjatha Petrus - F - 5’10 - 180 - 29
FB page
http://www.facebook.com/ndjatha

Twitter page
https://twitter.com/#!/Ndjatha

Very short resume (scroll to bottom)
http://minneapolis.sportsvite.com/bullet...c-blue-panthers

Yoann Promonet - M - 5’11 - 175 - 22
College pic, brief bio and senior stats
http://www.godinos.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1703

French 4th Div. experience
http://uk.soccerway.com/players/yoann-promonet/160608/

http://www.zamante.com/us/profile/soccer-player/yoannpromonet

Did the LA Blues combine in Jan.
http://www.labluesprosoccer.com/docs/SessionShuttleInfo.pdf

FB page
http://www.facebook.com/search/results.php?q=Promonetito+Del+Toro&init=public#!/yoann.promonet

Elliot Purdom - GK - 6’2 - 190 - 22
College pic and bio with stats
http://www.goargos.com/profile.asp?playerID=1271

Played for the Rochester Thunder
http://www.midwestcollegiateconference.com/article/713.php

Brad Rose - F - 5’9 - 160 - 22
College pic, bio and stats
http://www.yalebulldogs.com/sports/m-soccer/2010-11/bios/rose_brad00.html

Senior stats
http://www.yalebulldogs.com/sports/m-soccer/2011-12/teams/yale?view=lineup

Feature article (scroll halfway down)
http://firstsemester.nhregister.com/full_story.html

Print interview
http://beta.yaleherald.com/archives/3212

Video interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A327KHPdjAQ

Video on one of his injuries
http://www.onenewspage.us/video/20110827/564723/Brad-Rose-excited-to-return-to-Yale-soccer.htm

Got a knock in PDL, too (scroll down to FC London - Toronto Lynx match, 1/5th down)
http://www.mlive.com/soccer/index.ssf/2010/05/pdl_great_lakes_division_recap_4.html

Article about most recent injury
http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2011/sep/07/rose-12-looking-for-one-last-shot/

Well ranked by Top Drawer Soccer (jump to Ivy League)
http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer/college-conference-top-20/men

Video hilites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfUw5O6kufI

Just finished with USL combine
http://the11.ca/2012/01/26/12-canadians-head-to-florida-hoping-for-usl-deals/

FB page
http://www.facebook.com/search/results.php?q=Brad+Rose&init=public#!/profile.php?id=1658550281
Facebook friend of Jay Alberts

Jacob Schmoker - D - 5’8 - 150 - 25
2010 PDL stats
http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/2010/22322.html#STATS

Coaching youth
http://www.durangosoccer.com/Coaching-Staff

2007 College stats
http://www.orugoldeneagles.com/fls/17000/stats/msoccer/2007/teamcume.htm#TEAM.IND

Senior stats
http://www.goskyhawks.com/custompages/msoc/2008ms/teamcume.htm#TEAM.IND

College pic and bio
http://www.orugoldeneagles.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17000&ATCLID=1137449

Video hilites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJuDlKCtQkM

Brandon Stemwedel - M - 5’7 - 135 - 21
College pic, bio and stats
http://www.csssaints.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2257

Senior honor
http://umacathletics.com/sports/2011/11/8/MSOC_1108113955.aspx?id=4388

Interview video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OELAOwyRxH4

FB page
http://www.facebook.com/people/Brandon-Stemwedel/501342928

Mac Stringer - F - 6’3 - 185 - 18
College pic, bio and stats
http://www.saintmaryssports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5181

Video hilites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91rWO2wOvh4

Evans Tackie-Yarboi - M - 5’9 - 160 - 22
College pic, brief bio and stats
http://www.blcvikings.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44&path=msoc

Senior honor
http://www.blcvikings.com/news/2010/11/9/MSOC_1109105607.aspx?path=msoc

2011 PDL stats
http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/2011/4069040.html#STATS

FB page
http://www.facebook.com/evans.tackieyarboi

Kyamran Tairov - F - 5’10 - 175 - 22
PDL pic and bit of info
http://www.roverssoccer.com/teamroster/517929.html

2011 PDL stats
http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/2011/33862330.html#STATS

Feature article
http://www.rrstar.com/sports/x1302704998

PASL bio
http://www.louisvillelightning.com/Team/TAIROVKYAMRAN/index_E.html

2011 PDL stats
http://pasl_site.stats.pointstreak.com/teamplayerstats.html?teamid=347853&seasonid=8142

FB page
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kyamran-Tairov/100000748014747

John Tardy - M - 5’6 - 160 - 22
College pic and bio
http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/tardy_john00.html

Senior stats
http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-soccer/stats/2010-2011/teamcume.html#TEAM.IND

First two years at Clemson
http://www.clemsontigers.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/tardy_john00.html

More bio
https://sites.google.com/a/sielitehssoccercamp.com/main/home/bios/john-tardy

Coaching HS
http://highschoolsports.silive.com/news/...island-academy/

NPSL experience
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Red_Bulls_NPSL

And USL Y-League
http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/red-bull-ny-wins-the-usl-super-20-championship-5399

Was part of the USMNT U-18 player pool
http://www.ussoccer.com/teams/u-18-mnt/t/john-tardy.aspx

Was in NYRB training camp last month
http://www.empireofsoccer.com/thirteen-trailists-competing-for-a-spot-with-new-york-red-bulls/

Video interview
http://cstv.collegesports.com/mt/mt-search.cgi?blog_id=57&tag=STJ%20men's%20soccer&limit=20

Mark Thompson - M - 5’5 - 135 - 19
College pic, info and stats
http://www.saintmaryssports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5180

Josac Villamizar - M - 5’6 - 145 - 19
?
Claims to have played for the Hopkins Dynamo.

Behind each name is position, height, weight and age, in that order. "Claims to" means that I could not find confirmation on the web. This is fairly common in the lower leagues.

"Keep you eye on this thread for last minute additions" advises

That little old jersey collector

Me

"I don't think they're as good as they are." - Kevin Keegan