Two Virginia players invited to MLS Player Combine

Each year Major League Soccer holds it's Player Combine leading up to the MLS Draft to give coaches and scouts an up close look at possible draft picks.

This year two players from the University of Virginia where invited to the MLS Player Combine.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Virginia seniors Hunter Jumper (Plano, Texas) and Brian Ownby (Glen Allen, Va.) each have been invited to participate in the 2012 adidas Major League Soccer Player Combine. MLS today announced the initial list of 52 college seniors from 31 Division I schools who have been invited to participate in the combine.

The combine will be held Jan. 6-10 at Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The MLS SuperDraft then will take place on January 12 in Kansas City. The first round of the SuperDraft will be broadcast live on ESPN2 beginning at noon.

Ownby played at midfield and forward for the Cavaliers this year and was a second-team All-ACC selection in 2011 after earning first-team All-ACC honors last year. He scored six goals and added a pair of assists in 18 games for UVa. Ownby also was the 2009 ACC Freshman of the Year and scored 21 goals while assisting on 10 more during his UVa career.

Jumper started 17 games this season and finished his UVa career with 79 starts. He started 15 of his 17 games this year at left back. Jumper was named to Capital One Academic All-District First Team in 2011 and also earned a spot on the ACC All-Tournament Team for the third straight year. He finished the season with a pair of goals and four assists.

Coaches and technical staffs from all 19 MLS clubs will be in attendance to scout the top talent at the 17th annual player combine.

The initial player list was determined by a panel of Division I college coaches, representing all conferences, who nominated and voted for players in conjunction with MLS coaches. These players will be joined by Generation adidas players, international invitees, additional collegiate players from NCAA Division II and III schools, NAIA schools and Division I alternates. The final player list of approximately 66 athletes, as well as additional Combine coaches and team assignments, will be announced at a later date.

This year, the MLS SuperDraft will include two rounds and 38 overall selections, with the expansion Montreal Impact selecting first overall. A four-round Supplemental Draft will take place January 17.

MLS Player Combine Invitees List