MLS Caribbean Combine
# MLS Caribbean Combine

The Major League Soccer Caribbean Combine is an annual showcase of Caribbean football talent between the ages of 18 and 21 organized jointly by Major League Soccer and the Caribbean Football Union in 2013, with the inaugural combine being held in January 2014. All 31 member associations are encouraged to send representatives that fit the criteria. The combine provides opportunities for Caribbean players to be observed by MLS scouts with the hopes of being invited to the MLS Combine, an invite-only showcase event held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida prior to the annual MLS SuperDraft. The combine is part of an agreement between the two entities as they try to promote football development throughout the Caribbean region. About the impact of Caribbean players on the league, MLS Technical Director Alfonso Mondelo said, "Quite a few players have played, continue to play in the MLS and have done so successfully...Now we are looking forward to the next generation of players who will be coming in", while MLS Executive Vice President Todd Durbin said, "We recognize that the CONCACAF area, and particularly the Caribbean, is rich with soccer talent, and this will be an opportunity for our scouts to evaluate and identify the region’s top players...Caribbean players from islands like Jamaica, Haiti, Grenada and others have been key performers in MLS. This event will help recognize the next generation of MLS stars as we look to achieve our goal of being among the best leagues in the world by 2022." From a Caribbean perspective, CFU President Gordon Derrick stated, "As CFU Member Associations turn their attention to Russia 2018, this is an exciting developmental opportunity for the opulent young talent in the Caribbean to assess their developmental level and the growth required to play at the highest level...This partnership with MLS is another way in which we at the CFU are seeking to bridge the gap that exists between talent availability and scouting opportunities that the Caribbean region has received from professional leagues."

## 2014

The 2014 Caribbean Combine took place at the Antigua Recreation Ground in St. John’s, Antigua from January 2–4; and featured 24 players from 16 different Caribbean nations. Originally 32 players were nominated but eight were not invited to the final combine by the MLS technical team. The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association did not have any representatives at the combine after an "administrative error" led to no paperwork being submitted to the CFU by the association. Of the 23 players who were invited, only Stefano Rijssel and Quinton Christina were invited to the MLS Combine. Rijssel went on to be the first ever player from the Caribbean Combine to be drafted after he was selected in the 3rd round, 55th overall, by Seattle Sounders FC. However, Rijssel was cut by the team during preseason and was ultimately not signed.

### Players

| Name | Nationality | Date of birth | Position | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Damian Bailey | Anguilla | (1991-05-05)5 May 1991 (aged 22) | D/M | |
| Quinton Griffith | Antigua and Barbuda | (1992-02-27)27 February 1992 (aged 21) | D/M | |
| Stefan Smith | Antigua and Barbuda | (1989-08-11)11 August 1989 (aged 24) | F | |
| Leroy Oehlers | Aruba | (1992-12-12)12 December 1992 (aged 21) | D | |
| Drewonde Bascome | Bermuda | (1992-11-17)17 November 1992 (aged 21) | M | |
| Kavon Troy Ceasar | British Virgin Islands | (1994-05-13)13 May 1994 (aged 19) | D | |
| Ramon Sealy | Cayman Islands | (1991-04-22)22 April 1991 (aged 22) | GK | |
| Quinton Christina | Curaçao | (1995-05-03)3 May 1995 (aged 18) | D/F | Selected for MLS Combine |
| Malcolm Joseph | Dominica | (1993-10-10)10 October 1993 (aged 20) | D | |
| Delbert Graham | Dominica | (1993-07-02)2 July 1993 (aged 20) | M | |
| Vladimir Pascal | Guadeloupe | (1992-05-27)27 May 1992 (aged 21) | F/M | |
| Steven Davidas | Guadeloupe | (1992-03-17)17 March 1992 (aged 21) | M | |
| Jean Ismael Voltaire | Haiti | (1994-05-04)4 May 1994 (aged 19) | D | |
| Luckner Junior Horat | Haiti | (1994-09-27)27 September 1994 (aged 19) | D | |
| Kemar Lawrence | Jamaica | (1992-09-17)17 September 1992 (aged 21) | M/D | |
| Kendell Allen | Montserrat | (1992-06-02)2 June 1992 (aged 21) | D | |
| Joseph Marrero | Puerto Rico | (1993-09-04)4 September 1993 (aged 20) | M | |
| Samuel J. Soto Alvarez | Puerto Rico | (1992-08-11)11 August 1992 (aged 21) | F/M | |
| Jose Sandoval | Puerto Rico | (1991-01-01)1 January 1991 (aged 23) | M | |
| Jamal J. Francis | Saint Kitts and Nevis | (1993-03-23)23 March 1993 (aged 20) | GK | |
| Kimaree B.A. Rogers | Saint Kitts and Nevis | (1994-01-14)14 January 1994 (aged 19) | M/F | |
| Eden Charles | Saint Lucia | (1993-10-19)19 October 1993 (aged 20) | M | |
| Stefano Rijssel | Suriname | (1992-03-26)26 March 1992 (aged 21) | M/F | Selected for MLS Combine |
| Miguel Danny Darson | Suriname | (1993-05-27)27 May 1993 (aged 20) | D | |

### Known rejected players

| Name | Nationality | Date of birth | Position | Reference |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Matthew Suberan | Cayman Islands | (1995-02-03)3 February 1995 (aged 18) | M/F | |
| Jermaine Woozencroft | Jamaica | (1992-08-19)19 August 1992 (aged 21) | M/F | |

### Drafted players

| Name | Nationality | Drafted by | Round Drafted | Pick Overall | Reference |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Stefano Rijssel | Suriname | Seattle Sounders FC | 3rd | 55 | |

## 2015

The 2015 Caribbean Combine was held between January 2 and 5, 2015, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The combine took place at the facilities of Bayamón FC, including Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, and featured matches with local clubs. For the combine, 19 players representing 17 associations from the region were invited. Following the Caribbean Combine, only Jean Carlos Lopez Moscoso of the Dominican Republic was invited to the MLS Combine. No players from the Caribbean combine were selected as Lopez was not taken in any of the four rounds of the draft.

### Players

| Name | Nationality | Date of birth | Position | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Mavrick Annerose | Guadeloupe | (1995-11-29)29 November 1995 (aged 19) | MF | |
| Julani Archibald | Saint Kitts and Nevis | (1991-05-18)18 May 1991 (aged 23) | GK | |
| Ronaldo Bailey | Barbados | (1996-07-05)5 July 1996 (aged 18) | DF | |
| Troy Caesar | British Virgin Islands | (1994-05-13)13 May 1994 (aged 20) | DF | |
| Emmery Edward | Saint Lucia | (1994-10-10)10 October 1994 (aged 20) | FW | |
| Marco Fenelus | Turks and Caicos Islands | (1992-08-22)22 August 1992 (aged 22) | FW | |
| Kevin Francis | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | (1994-01-11)11 January 1994 (aged 20) | DF | |
| Tevaughn Harriette | Antigua and Barbuda | (1995-06-26)26 June 1995 (aged 19) | FW | |
| Vershawn Hodge | Anguilla | (1992-02-08)8 February 1992 (aged 22) | MF | |
| Sydney Lockhart | Dominica | (1996-08-03)3 August 1996 (aged 18) | MF | |
| Jean Carlos Lopez Moscoso | Dominican Republic | (1993-09-11)11 September 1993 (aged 21) | MF | Selected for MLS Combine |
| Joseph Marrero | Puerto Rico | (1993-09-04)4 September 1993 (aged 21) | MF | |
| Anani Mohamed | Guyana | (1992-02-10)10 February 1992 (aged 22) | FW | |
| Clifford Newby-Harris | Montserrat | (1995-01-23)23 January 1995 (aged 19) | DF | |
| Kyrhon Phillip | Saint Kitts and Nevis | (1994-09-22)22 September 1994 (aged 20) | MF | |
| Jonte Smith | Bermuda | (1994-07-10)10 July 1994 (aged 20) | FW | |
| Denny Smith | U.S. Virgin Islands | (1992-12-05)5 December 1992 (aged 21) | GK | |
| Reid Strain | Puerto Rico | (1994-01-04)4 January 1994 (aged 20) | FW | |
| Jermaine Woozencroft | Jamaica | (1992-08-19)19 August 1992 (aged 22) | MF | |

### Known rejected players

| Name | Nationality | Date of birth | Position | Reference |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Cardel Benbow | Jamaica | (1995-06-03)3 June 1995 (aged 18) | M/F | |

## 2016

The 2016 edition of the MLS Caribbean Combine was held on three different islands at different times, unlike previous years in which it was held at a central location. Players were invited to specific host islands based on their country of origin. Twenty four players were invited to each location for a total of 72 players, a significant increase over previous years. The reason for decentralizing the combine was to make it easier for more nations to participate.

### Hosting and known players

* Saint Kitts and Nevis hosted players from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, and the United States Virgin Islands from 13 December to 16 December at the Warner Park Sporting Complex.

| Name | Nationality | Date of birth | Position | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Carlos Bertie | Saint Kitts and Nevis | | | |
| Javiem Blanchette | Saint Kitts and Nevis | (1991-09-29)29 September 1991 (aged 24) | FW | |
| Raheem Francis | Saint Kitts and Nevis | (1996-05-28)28 May 1996 (aged 19) | MF | |
| Novelle Francis Jr. | Antigua and Barbuda | | | |
| Keithroy Freeman | Saint Kitts and Nevis | (1993-10-16)16 October 1993 (aged 22) | DF | |
| Jonathan Guishard | Anguilla | (1996-07-02)2 July 1996 (aged 19) | DF | |
| Tevaughn Harriette | Antigua and Barbuda | (1995-06-26)26 June 1995 (aged 20) | MF | |
| Germain Hughes | Anguilla | (1996-10-15)15 October 1996 (aged 19) | MF | |
| Jorginho James | Jamaica | (1994-07-07)7 July 1994 (aged 21) | MF | Selected for MLS Combine |
| Eugene Kirwan | Antigua and Barbuda | (1993-01-01)1 January 1993 (aged 22) | MF | |
| Amal Knight | Jamaica | | MF | |
| Malik Liburd | Saint Kitts and Nevis | | | |
| Chevone Marsh | Jamaica | (1994-02-25)25 February 1994 (aged 21) | GK | |
| Lorne Maxime Jr. | U.S. Virgin Islands | (1992-09-16)16 September 1992 (aged 23) | FW | |
| Ryan Miller | Jamaica | | MF | |
| Clyde Mitchum | Saint Kitts and Nevis | (1994-06-16)16 June 1994 (aged 21) | DF | |
| Aljah Newton | Saint Kitts and Nevis | | | |
| Shavorn Phillip | Antigua and Barbuda | (1996-09-09)9 September 1996 (aged 19) | DF | |
| Alrique Rogers | Anguilla | (1996-01-23)23 January 1996 (aged 19) | FW | |
| Jamoy Stevens | Antigua and Barbuda | (1993-10-22)22 October 1993 (aged 22) | DF | |
| Elvis Thomas | Antigua and Barbuda | (1994-06-02)2 June 1994 (aged 21) | FW | |
| Shamoy Thompson | British Virgin Islands | (1997-05-27)27 May 1997 (aged 18) | MF | |

* Curaçao hosted players from Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Bonaire, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago from 17 December to 20 December. Ten total players from Aruba, Bonaire, the Dominican Republic, and Guyana attended in addition to ten Curaçao players who met the requirements.

| Name | Nationality | Date of birth | Position |
| - | - | - | - |
| Delon Lanferman | Guyana | | FW |
| Yurick Seinpaal | Bonaire | (1995-11-12)12 November 1995 (aged 20) | FW |
| Jumane Somerset | Guyana | | DF |
| Alexander Vidal Ceballos | Dominican Republic | (1996-09-02)2 September 1996 (aged 19) | DF |

* Martinique hosted players from Barbados, Dominica, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia from 1 January and 4 January.

| Name | Nationality | Date of birth | Position |
| - | - | - | - |
| Anfernee Frederick | Dominica | (1996-01-23)23 January 1996 (aged 19) | MF |
| Briel Thomas | Dominica | (1994-10-25)25 October 1994 (aged 21) | MF |
| Lejuan Simmons | Bermuda | (1993-04-07)7 April 1993 (aged 22) | FW |
| Jomo Harris | Barbados | (1995-02-15)15 February 1995 (aged 20) | MF |
| Romario Harewood | Barbados | (1994-08-17)17 August 1994 (aged 21) | MF |
| Jordy Delem | Martinique | (1993-03-18)18 March 1993 (aged 22) | MF |
| Johnny Marajo | Martinique | (1993-10-21)21 October 1993 (aged 22) | FW |
| Franck-Olivier Rochambeau | Martinique | (1993-11-09)9 November 1993 (aged 22) | FW |
| Jean-Manuel Nédra | Martinique | | DF |
| Ambroise Félicité | Martinique | | |

## 2017

In October 2016 it was announced that the base of the 2017 MLS Caribbean Combine would be merged with the final round of CFU 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualification taking place that same month. The qualifiers would be attended directly by scouts from MLS teams, with representatives from at least the Philadelphia Union, Real Salt Lake, and Seattle Sounders FC confirmed to attend. The decision to combine the two events was logistical since many of the region's best young players and national teams from the desired age group would be participating. The new format meant that players from nations that were not part of the competition would not have the opportunity to be scouted at this edition of the combine.

## 2018

The combine returned to a single-venue, invite-only format in 2018. This edition of the combine was the first held outside of the Caribbean with the three-day event taking place at the Sawgrass Hotel and Suites Sports Complex outside of Fort Lauderdale, Florida from January 9–11, 2018. Chosen invitees will then attend the MLS Player Combine from January 11–17 in Orlando. In total, 22 players were invited to attend the event. Ultimately, no players from the Caribbean Combine were invited to the MLS Combine.

### Players

| Name | Nationality | Date of birth | Position |
| - | - | - | - |
| Oniel Anderson | Jamaica | (1997-03-21)21 March 1997 (aged 20) | D |
| Jeff Beljour | Turks and Caicos Islands | (1998-04-04)4 April 1998 (aged 19) | D/M |
| Mazhye Burchall | Bermuda | (1998-01-28)28 January 1998 (aged 19) | F |
| Thierry Catherine | Martinique | (1997-09-02)2 September 1997 (aged 20) | M |
| Jonah Ebanks | Cayman Islands | (1996-05-07)7 May 1996 (aged 21) | M |
| Kyle Edwards | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | (1997-01-15)15 January 1997 (aged 20) | M |
| Djai Essed | Sint Maarten | (1998-04-25)25 April 1998 (aged 19) | D |
| Maalique Foster | Jamaica | (1996-11-05)5 November 1996 (aged 21) | F |
| Jules Haabo | French Guiana | (1997-04-12)12 April 1997 (aged 20) | M |
| Hadan Holligan | Barbados | (1996-10-16)16 October 1996 (aged 21) | M |
| Germain Hughes | Anguilla | (1996-11-15)15 November 1996 (aged 21) | M/D |
| Andrez Joseph | Dominica | (1998-05-20)20 May 1998 (aged 19) | D |
| Tyrique Lake | Anguilla | (1999-01-04)4 January 1999 (aged 19) | M/D |
| Alex Marshall | Jamaica | (1998-02-24)24 February 1998 (aged 19) | F/M |
| Gylles Mitchel | Dominica | (1997-12-16)16 December 1997 (aged 20) | M/D |
| G'Vaune Amory | Saint Kitts and Nevis | (1997-06-22)22 June 1997 (aged 20) | M |
| Nickenson Paul | Aruba | (1997-08-24)24 August 1997 (aged 20) | M |
| Na-jir Jacques Peney | Curaçao | (1997-07-17)17 July 1997 (aged 20) | M |
| Jamarlie Stevens | Antigua and Barbuda | (1997-04-20)20 April 1997 (aged 20) | D |
| Kathon St. Hillaire | Trinidad and Tobago | (1997-11-05)5 November 1997 (aged 20) | M/F |
| Gilbert Tilus | Turks and Caicos Islands | (1998-10-28)28 October 1998 (aged 19) | D |
| Josiah Trimmingham | Trinidad and Tobago | (1996-12-14)14 December 1996 (aged 21) | M |

## 2019

The 2019 MLS Caribbean Combine was held in Kingston, Jamaica from 15-18 October and in Bridgetown, Barbados from Oct. 22-25, 2018. Fifteen nations sent representatives to the combines. Addition details were released regarding compensation for players and former club, if applicable, if signed by an MLS club as a result of the combine. These details included the player’s club will receiving an Adidas allotment and a transfer fee of US $50,000 if the player’s MLS option for 2020 is exercised. Additional compensation was available to former club depending on the player's performance including US$25,000 after 15 official MLS appearances, $50,000 after 30 official MLS appearances, and $100,000 after 60 official MLS appearances. Finally, a player’s former club would receive 20% of any transfer fees received by the MLS within the first four years of the player’s employment in the league. Jamaican midfielder Peter-Lee Vassell was named MVP of the combine and was invited to the 2019 MLS Combine Vassell was then selected by Los Angeles FC with the 19th overall pick in the draft. He was later signed by the club for the 2019 Major League Soccer season, becoming the first player to ever be signed by a Major League Soccer side after featuring in the Caribbean Combine.

### Known players

| Name | Nationality | Date of birth | Position | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Ackeel Applewhaite | Barbados | (1999-07-17)17 July 1999 (aged 19) | MF | |
| Chavel Cunningham | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | (1995-07-20)20 July 1995 (aged 23) | FW | |
| Kevin Dundas | Guyana | (1996-03-16)16 March 1996 (aged 22) | DF | |
| Vino Barclett | Saint Lucia | (1999-10-12)12 October 1999 (aged 19) | GK | |
| Javid George | Dominica | (1998-06-14)14 June 1998 (aged 20) | FW | |
| Ryan Hackette | Guyana | (1999-09-11)11 September 1999 (aged 19) | MF | |
| Raejae Joseph | U.S. Virgin Islands | (1997-08-09)9 August 1997 (aged 21) | MF | |
| Kevin Layne | Guyana | (1998-01-01)1 January 1998 (aged 20) | DF | |
| Omani Leacock | Barbados | (1998-05-01)1 May 1998 (aged 20) | MF | |
| Kiano Martin | Dominica | (2000-08-09)9 August 2000 (aged 18) | DF | |
| Kishmar Primus | Barbados | (1998-04-09)9 April 1998 (aged 20) | GK | |
| Joel Quashie | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | (2001-06-16)16 June 2001 (aged 17) | MF | |
| Peter-Lee Vassell | Jamaica | (1998-02-03)3 February 1998 (aged 20) | MF | Invited to 2019 MLS Combine, drafted and signed |

## 2020

The 2020 MLS Caribbean Combine took place in Kingston, Jamaica from December 2 to December 4, 2019.

### Known players

| Name | Nationality | Date of birth | Position |
| - | - | - | - |
| Stefforn Abraham | Grenada | (1999-12-29)29 December 1999 (aged 19) | MF |
| Akeem Chambers | Jamaica | (1998-06-16)16 June 1998 (aged 21) | GK |
| Andre Fletcher | Jamaica | (1999-01-31)31 January 1999 (aged 20) | MF |
| Jeremy Loogman | Bonaire | (2000-08-14)14 August 2000 (aged 19) | GK |
| Yohannes Mitchum | Saint Kitts and Nevis | (1998-04-06)6 April 1998 (aged 21) | MF |
| Tafari Smith | Anguilla | (2000-03-26)26 March 2000 (aged 19) | DF |
| Petrez Williams | Saint Kitts and Nevis | (2000-06-18)18 June 2000 (aged 19) | DF |

## Footnotes

* ↑ Amory replaced Yohannes Mitchum as SKN's representative after Mitchum experienced issues with his visa.
