McCarthy's Musings: First Day Jitters

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MLS Combine participant Gotsmanov (Creighton University / Eric Francis)

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By Kyle McCarthy

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The one word on everyone's lips at Lockhart Stadium? Nerves.

The players showed them on the field while the coaches and technical directors attributed some shoddy performances to them.

“I was very nervous this week and even on the bus ride over here,” UC Santa Barbara striker Chris Pontius said. “I had to tell myself that I couldn't be nervous and that I had done this a million times. You just have to go out there and play and try to impress these guys.”

There wasn't much impressing going in the two games today. The quality wasn't there for most of the day, as players fought those pesky nerves and unfamiliar teammates for most of the day.

Instead of focusing on stray passes and wayward shots, today may be best served as a way to figure out who has the tools to succeed on days two and three. Lesser known players like Jordan Seabrook (South Florida) and Ryan Maxwell (Tampa) may have done enough to pop onto a few radar screens, while others may have raised questions about their capabilities at the highest level.

Going up

1. Sam Cronin, Wake Forest midfielder

By far the best player on the day. Crisp and clean in his movements and generally tidy in his passing. There's a reason why teams covet him as a potential draft pick; he was the only player on display today who looked like he could step in and play tomorrow.

2. Michael Lahoud, Wake Forest midfielder

Given the cloak of secrecy, one coach pointed out Lahoud as a player who impressed him today. Given his performance, it was hard to argue. Another Wake Forest player who knows how to play the game and finds the right spots on the field.

3. Chris Pontius, UC Santa Barbara striker

Deployed in a partnership with Generation adidas striker Peri Marosevic, Pontius shined. Each player nabbed a goal, but Pontius' 20-yard blast scorched the upper left corner of the net and easily won the gong for best goal of the day.

“It makes it a lot easier on me, I'll tell you that much,” Pontius said afterwards as he noted he'll use the goal to help carry some momentum into the next two days.

Sliding down

1. Akeem Priestley, UCONN midfielder

PowerSwerve head coach Caleb Porter (Akron) handed Priestley the keys to his offense from the beginning and Priestley dropped them between the seat. He struggled to find the ball and dallied too long on it when he did get it.

2. Andrei Gotsmanov, Creighton midfielder (Photo courtesy Creighton University/Eric Francis)

Gotsmanov showed some neat touches and displayed obvious skill. But he didn't show that he was much of a fit at the attacking mid spot and yet he doesn't seem like much of a fit anywhere else on the field, given his work rate and his fitness levels.

3. Nick Perera, UC Santa Barbara striker

One observer asked me how many times he touched the ball. I couldn't answer him. His reply? Two. Perhaps the number fell a bit short, but so too did the impact a former College Cup Most Outstanding Offensive Player should have on these sorts of games.

Stadium chatter

- Not a soul around Lockhart Stadium expects Mo Johnston to stand pat with the second and fourth picks. Three teams are apparently interested in the second selection. Cronin and Maryland defender Omar Gonzalez are two likely targets.

- A West Coast mole said Chivas USA will have Cuban refugee Reinier Alcantara in camp after exercising a discovery option on him. New York also placed a marker down, the source said.

- Indiana midfielder Brad Ring missed out on the combine due to injury and will start running in the next week or two, according to his agent, Craig Sharon.

Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kylemccarthy@gmail.com.