Two Atlanta natives will participate in the MLS combine in Florida this week. Though both were strong college players worthy of the invitation, they arrive in Ft. Lauderdale in different situations.
Jordan McCrary, who played at Concorde Fire before a standout college career at North Carolina, can play either right back or left back and is projected to be selected in the first round when the draft is held on Jan. 14.
Mitchell Lurie, who also played at Concorde Fire before finishing his college career at Rutgers, can play either center back or left back. He hasn’t been projected to go in the first or second rounds of a draft that is filled with quality defenders.
“I want to go to combine and show that they’ve made the right decision to invite me,” said Lurie, who was second-team All-Big Ten last season. “A lot of guys, whether agents or coaches, they’ve watched me and the other guys. They’ve liked what they’ve seen.
“Now it’s a matter of performing to the best of my ability on the biggest stage.”
Like Lurie, McCrary said he hasn’t paid attention to the mock drafts and just wants to show his skill.
“I hope to be able to showcase myself the best way as a player,” said McCrary, who had five assists in 20 games last season. “I want to impress the coaches to give myself an opportunity to make their team.”
The mock predictions aren’t the only differences between the two players.
McCrary, who is 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, said he makes up for his lack of size with his speed and ability to read the game. He said two fullbacks that he admires, Real Madrid’s Marcelo and Barcelona’s Dani Alves, aren’t big either but have tremendous work rates and are tactically sound.
At 6-2 and 170 pounds, Lurie is built better to handle the demands of MLS, considered a physical league. But like McCrary, he has athleticism and better-than-average pace. Like the defenders he admires — Everton left back Leighton Baines and Fulham centerback and U.S. national team player Tim Ream — he said he has been told that he reads the game well.
The combine begins Thursday and runs through Tuesday. The players have been separated into four teams and will play games on Friday, Sunday and Tuesday. Lurie and McCrary are on different teams. The draft will be held in Baltimore two days after the combine ends.
Both Lurie and McCrary said if they perform well, they will likely attend the draft. Neither player said they care which teams selects them.
“I see it as whoever picks me is where I want to go,” McCrary said. “That’s the opportunity I want to be given.”
About the Author
