SMU's Cruz, Soto Headed To MLS Combine

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

SMU's Cruz, Soto Headed To MLS Combine

Jan. 6, 2011

DALLAS (SMU) - SMU men's soccer players Leone Cruz and Josue Soto are taking part in Major League Soccer's Combine this weekend in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Last month, both players were among 54 college seniors invited to participate in the combine.

Cruz was solid on the back line for SMU this season, while also contributing offensively. He helped the SMU defense to allow just 22 goals against in 20 games, five shutouts and a 1.05 goals-against-average. Cruz tallied a goal and an assist against Memphis, and collected five points on the season. Each of his three assists came on a game-winning goal, including one in overtime against Jacksonville. For his efforts, Cruz was named to the NSCAA Midwest Regional Second Team as well as the Conference USA Second Team.

Soto led the Mustangs in assists (7), and was third in goals (7) and points (21) this season. The senior sent SMU to the NCAA Quarterfinals after scoring the game's lone goal in the Mustangs' win over No. 12 William & Mary in the Round of 16. Soto tallied a total four game-winners on the year, including a penalty kick against then-No. 20 South Carolina. The midfielder had a five-game point-scoring streak (3 goals, 3 assists) Sept. 19-Oct. 6. Like Cruz, Soto was also named to the NSCAA and C-USA Second Teams.

Prospects have been divided in to four teams for the combine. Cruz is competing with Jabulani, while Soto is on AdiPure. The teams will play one another as follows:

Saturday, Jan. 8
1:45 p.m. -- AdiPower vs AdiPure
3:30 p.m. -- Jabulani vs AdiZero
Monday, Jan. 10
11:15 a.m. -- AdiPure vs. Jabulani
1 p.m. -- AdiPower vs. AdiZero
Tuesday, Jan. 11
11:15 a.m. -- AdiPower vs. Jabulani
1 p.m. -- AdiPure vs. AdiZero

The MLS SuperDraft will be held in Baltimore on Jan. 13.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Has anybody seen any mock drafts about where Cruz and Soto might be drafted?

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

The sbnation mock has Soto going in the 2nd round (30th overall) to New York. Their mock is only two rounds.

The mock on the draftsite has Cruz going in the 3rd round (53rd overall) to Dallas.

So - I guess there is a reasonable hope of both players getting a chance in MLS.

[PonyPride]

Cruz to Dallas wouldn't be a total shock. After all, Schellas Hyndman recruited Leone to SMU, and is very familiar with his game.

[Dutch]

Good luck to these kids

[b_caesar]

Schellas came oh, so close to capturing the College Cup before he took on that new challenge up in Frisco. Not surprised if any of our grads head up there to play for him.

[gk00dad]

Copngratulations to Leone Cruz. He was draftedtoday by the Seattle Sounders in the second round. Look forward to seeing him play this year.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Copngratulations to Leone Cruz. He was draftedtoday by the Seattle Sounders in the second round. Look forward to seeing him play this year.

Good for him!