Top prospects to participate in 2023 MLS College Showcase from Dec. 6-9 in Phoenix
NEW YORK – Major League Soccer announced details for the fourth edition of the MLS College Showcase, which will take place from December 6-9 in Phoenix, Ariz.
The four-day event will give technical staffs from every MLS club an opportunity to scout top collegiate prospects in the nation ahead of MLS SuperDraft 2024, which will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 19 and feature an expanded eligible player pool.
The 2023 MLS College Showcase will feature 44 top college players, ranging from freshmen to graduate students, participating in training sessions, testing, interviews, and match play. This event will allow MLS clubs to scout and interact with potential MLS SuperDraft selections. The 2023 MLS College Showcase is a closed event and only open to MLS club technical staffs.
In October, MLS announced that, for the first time in SuperDraft history, the expanded prospect pool will feature eligible collegiate sophomores and juniors. This expansion opens the door for a broader range of promising young talent to kickstart their professional careers in Major League Soccer, several of which will participate in the 2023 MLS College Showcase.
“We are excited to bring the 2023 adidas MLS College Showcase to Phoenix and welcome the best collegiate soccer players to showcase their skills in front of top MLS scouts,” said Alecko Eskandarian, MLS Senior Director, Player Relations & Player Development. “College soccer holds an essential role in the player development pathway and has fostered the growth of many domestic and international prospects who have made a significant impact in MLS.”
Twelve players who participated in the 2022 MLS College Showcase are currently on MLS rosters, including the No. 3 overall selection in MLS SuperDraft 2023, defender Moïse Bombito of the Colorado Rapids. Bombito used the event in December of 2022 to showcase his defensive traits to coaches and scouts, which ultimately resulted in him signing a Generation adidas contract. A product of the University of New Hampshire, Bombito returned from an early-season injury to play in 11 matches for the Rapids, including eight starts. He earned his first-career call-up to the Canadian Men’s National Team for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, making his senior team debut on June 28, 2023 against Guadeloupe.
| 2022 MLS College Showcase participants currently on MLS rosters | ||
| Player | 2023 MLS Club | College |
| Stephen Afrifa | Sporting Kansas City | Florida International |
| Patrick Agyemang | Charlotte FC | Rhode Island |
| Joey Akpunonu | FC Cincinnati | Bowling Green State |
| Joshua Bolma | New England Revolution | Maryland |
| Moïse Bombito | Colorado Rapids | New Hampshire |
| Hamady Diop | Charlotte FC | Clemson |
| CJ Fodrey | Austin FC | San Diego State |
| Cole Jensen | Inter Miami CF | Xavier |
| JC Ngando | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | North Carolina Greensboro |
| Chris Rindov | Sporting Kansas City | Maryland |
| Holden Trent | Philadelphia Union | High Point |
| Gino Vivi | LA Galaxy | Central Florida |
The 2023 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 2023 MLS College Showcase.
The full list of 44 players invited to attend the 2023 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 MLS SuperDraft 2024 will be announced at a later date following the 2023 MLS College Showcase.
