Two Georgia natives participating in MLS combine

The initial rosters for the 2016 adidas MLS Player Combine were announced by the league. Marietta native Jordan McCrary and Atlanta native Mitchell Lurie were selected to participate in the tournament that runs from January 7th through the 12th at Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The players were split into four teams and will play three matches on January 8th, 10th, and 12th.

McCrary, a former Gatorade State Player of the Year, will be competing for Team Chaos. The midfielder/defender started all 20 matches this season for the North Carolina Tar Heels as a fifth-year senior, contributing nine assists in a 15-2-3 campaign. McCrary, a former U.S. youth international, attended Lassiter High School and played with the Concorde Fire. He's predicted by Top Drawer Soccer and Soccer by Ives to be drafted in the first round.

Lurie, a 6'2" defender, is playing on Team Control. After stops at Portland and Louisville, he enjoyed a successful redshirt senior year with Rutgers that saw him named Second Team All-Big Ten and Second Team-All Region. Lurie spent his youth career with Chattahoochee High School and the Concorde Fire, as well as the Region III and Georgia ODP teams.

Over 60 domestic and international players will be competing and training in front of coaching staffs and scouts from the 20 MLS teams before the MLS SuperDraft which is being held on January 14th in Baltimore, Maryland. It has not been announced if the combine matches will be streamed, but they were not last year.

Best of luck to Jordan and Mitchell as they pursue their pro careers.