Major League Soccer announced on Monday the details of the 2018 adidas MLS Player Combine and MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas, revealing that the Combine will be held from Jan. 11-17 at Orlando City Stadium ahead of the SuperDraft on Jan. 19 during the United Soccer Coaches Convention at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
Currently, Columbus Crew SC holds the 21st pick in the MLS SuperDraft, but it is conditional. If the Black & Gold sign forward Kekuta Manneh — who was acquired by Columbus in a March 30, 2017 trade with Vancouver Whitecaps FC — to a contract beyond 2017. On December 1, Crew SC announced that it had extended an offer to Manneh, who is out of contract.
An invited group of top college, youth and international players will arrive in Orlando beginning on Thursday, Jan. 11 for the Combine. Technical staffs from all 22 current MLS clubs and incoming expansion team LAFC will be in attendance for the showcase, which will feature physical testing and interviews and full-field matches on Saturday, Jan. 13, Monday, Jan. 15 and Wednesday, Jan. 17. All Combine matches will be played at Orlando City Stadium.
The 2018 MLS SuperDraft will follow the Combine. The draft will be held in Philadelphia as a perennial component of the United Soccer Coaches Convention, which annually includes MLS-led programming. The first two rounds of the SuperDraft will be held in Philadelphia, while the third and fourth rounds will be held via conference call on Jan. 21.
MLS players will report to preseason on Jan. 22.
