Matsoso, Wilson Invited to MLS Combine

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky men’s soccer seniors Napo Matsoso and Jordan Wilson were the two Wildcats named on Major League Soccer’s initial list of 53 NCAA Division I players invited to participate in the 2017 MLS Player Combine in Los Angeles from Jan. 8-12.

All invited players will be eligible for selection in the 2017 SuperDraft, which will take place on Friday, Jan. 13 at the LA Convention Center.

Kentucky will be represented at the MLS Player Combine for the second year in a row as Callum Irving participated last season in Florida.

Matoso and Wilson’s files

Both Matsoso and Wilson were captains this past season, which saw the Wildcats finish with a record of won 11, lost 5, drew 3.

They skippered Kentucky to the No. 16 national seed and a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament.

Four-year contributors, they both were part of a senior class that made its third consecutive NCAA appearance.

Matsoso last Friday was named the fifth Wildcat in program history to earn NSCAA All-America status (Ilkka Jantti – 2001 second team, Jamal Shteiwi – 2004 third team, Barry Rice -2009 second team and Callum Irving – 2014 third team, 2015 first teaem).

Matsoso started in all 19 of Kentucky’s matches, leading the Wildcats with 20 points on eight goals, three of which were game-winners, and four assists. All of Matsoso’s scores came in multi-goal game performances. 

Matsoso was a First Team All-Conference USA selection for the third season running.

Matsoso and Wilson earned First Team All-Southeast Region status from the NSCAA, last week. 

Wilson has proven himself one of the nation’s elite defenders over the past few seasons, an assessment backed by his status on the All-Conference USA first team, and NSCAA All-Southeast Region team each of the past three years.

A big, athletic, center half, Wilson’s skillset is expected to project well at the next level.

He used his size to great effect in the box on set pieces at both ends of the pitch, and even scored a career-high three goals in 18 appearances his senior season.

MLS combine information

A committee of MLS and NCAA Division I coaches from every conference selected the invitees, all of whom completed their college eligibility this season. Further invitees, including academy products, non-collegiate players and additional college seniors, will be announced in the coming weeks.

A mix of MLS academy personnel and college head coaches will make up the Combine coaching staff.

Columbia head coach Kevin Anderson, Seattle head coach Pete Fewing, Denver head coach Jamie Franks and East Tennessee State head coach Bo Oshoniyi will serve as the head coaches for the four Combine teams. The assistant coaches will be CASL Director of Classic Dan Popik, Michigan Rush Director of Coaching Brian Doyle, Sporting Kansas City Academy Director Jon Parry and Beachside of Connecticut Soccer Club Founder and Technical Director Mickey Kydes.