With the 2019 Major League Soccer Player Combine still underway, we asked current FC Cincinnati players to share advice from their experiences at the event. Below is a collection of their responses.
Emery Welshman
"I was very proud to be selected as one of the seniors for the combine. The combine itself was where I had success in front of MLS coaches and general managers. I had a good showing and got a decent amount of attention. It was a strange situation where all the top players are showcasing their abilities in front of coaches to get drafted, but the teams that played better collectively were the ones that got the most players drafted."
Fatai Alashe
"Take advantage of every opportunity you have to set yourself apart from the pack. Don’t overthink the process. Be yourself on and off the field. Take it serious, but find a way to enjoy it and make connections with the other players around you."
Blake Smith
"The combine is a place where they feel players are capable of making the jump to the next level, so a lot of time coaches already know who they have their eyes on. It’s a time for the players to have fun and enjoy it and not take it too seriously because a lot of times the coaches know a lot about you. Nobody got there by luck. Go in and have fun and just make the most of your time there. Soak up the time because it’s a privilege to be there."
Darren Mattocks
"A good piece of advice for all you guys entering the MLS [SuperDraft] is to go out there and showcase your talent. Always remember to just continue doing what you’ve been doing back in college. Showcase your talent and never get down. If you make a mistake, you just pick up and move on. I wish you guys all the best in the 2019 MLS [SuperDraft]. Have fun."
The combine continues through Wednesday, when participants will play in matches, similar to last Saturday. From there, players will await their fate in Friday’s MLS SuperDraft in Chicago. FCC has the No. 1 pick in the draft, which begins at 1 p.m.
