With the 2013 MLS Combine underway until Tuesday, January 15, we have decided to run through the list of invitees and through each players performances through their collegiate career, lay out where they should go in the 2013 SuperDraft.

This list might not necessarily be based on a specific club's needs, but which players are either most ready to contribute immediately at the MLS-level or are a worthwhile investment that in a few years time can be regular contributors for whichever club picks them.

See also: ENBSports Review of World Football

Below is the list of 2013 Combine invitees, alphabetical, and where they should go in the upcoming MLS SuperDraft on Thursday, January 17, 2013.

Carlos Alvarez, Midfielder, Connecticut



Alvarez might be the most complete player in this year's draft, but the 22 year old Midfielder led Connecticut to four successful seasons scoring 20 goals 25 assists in 82 games. Offensively he has the ability to score from outside the box as well provide a decent free kick and corner.
Draft Projections: TOP 3 PICK
 
Don Anding, Forward, Northeastern
Anding had a great senior season scoring 13 goals and five assists prior to this season he scored 11 goals 52 games which is a concern especially since he played for a low profile school against weaker opposition. His size is also a worry so I don't see a great upside to Anding draft/pro potential.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick
 
Will Bates, Forward, Virginia
Bates was known by many who follow college soccer and was a potential GA in 2011 after scoring 14 goals in 15 games for Virginia. In 2012 the forward scored 12 goals in 20 games. At 6 feet tall, Bates scored 10 of his career college via a header but also showed he score from outside the box including a direct free kick goal in 2011.
Draft Projection: Late First Round
 
Kyle Bekker, Midfielder, Boston College
The Canadian midfielder only scored one goal for an underachieving Boston College. 2011 was his best season scoring 8 goals including 2 via direct free kicks although that is another worry, regarding his pro potential, as most of his statistical output came from set plays. Already signed to a MLS contract, which may effect where he is drafted, as clubs know how much he’ll affect the salary cap.
Draft Projection: Early Second Round
 
James Belshaw, Goalkeeper, Duke
Belshaw is a English goalkeeper who was the top player on a very disappointing 2012 Duke side. Belshaw kept in Duke in many games and achieved eight shutouts for a club that only had eight wins all season. Belshaw also scored a goal in 2012. One concern is he will count as a foreigner which might hurt is overall draft ability
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick
 
Ashton Bennett, Forward, Coastal Carolina
Bennett came on the radar in 2010 with Cincinnati State in Junior College where he scored 35 goals in 33 games. He joined Costal Carolina where over the last two seasons he scored 39 goals in 47 games with 12 assists on 90 shots on target. Bennett doesn't have the wow factor for a top pick but should be great steal later in the draft.
Draft Projection: Early Second Round
 
DeShorn Brown, Forward, UCF



The Jamaican forward has had a meteoric rise the last few seasons initially dominated the NAIA scoring 53 goals in 43 games with Mobile, then scoring 22 goals in 23 at the PDL level before finally transferring to University of Central Florida and scoring 13 goals for them in 16 games. Known for his speed, Brown also has good size 6'2/170 and should play a role in the MLS.
Draft Projection: TOP 10 PICK
 
Ian Christianson, Midfielder, Georgetown
Christianson was an on field leader for a Hoyas team who made it to the 2012 National Championship game despite being overshadowed by some of his teammates.

Ian played 95 total games at the college/PDL level starting in every college game except one and should fill a role as a adequate box-to-box midfielder providing a MLS team greater depth.
Draft Projection: Second Round
 
Ryan Clark, Monmouth
Clark's draft value fell when his Monmouth side failed to get out of the Northeastern Conference in 2012, although a combine invite might give him an opportunity to be drafted. Clark played 80 games for Monmouth from a central midfield position scoring 15 goals and 21 assists and shown to be threat shooting from distance including five goals from direct free kicks.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Draft    
 
Marc Cintron, Midfielder, Providence
Cintron was more known for his accomplishments during the 2011 season when Providence surprise many in the Big East. Cintron, along with Providence, struggled in 2012 scoring only one goal in 12 games. The Midfielder has ok size and athletic ability but his selection in the 2013 combine is an oversight compared other seniors who were not selected.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick
 
Greg Cochrane, Defender, Louisville
Overshadowed by many of his teammates the past two seasons Cochrane has played a useful role for Louisville after transferring from Virginia Tech. The 22 year old defender was asked to play a greater offensive role in 2012 and scored six goals for his effort although his pro position is probably a full/wing back.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick
 
Machael David, Midfielder, UC Santa Barbara
David was highly regarded after a successful freshman season in 2009. The 24 year old midfielder was mostly injured the past two season playing a combined 21 games. Known for being a hard working defensive midfielder, it’s hard to know if those injuries will have a negative effect on his pro career. I don't see a huge upside but still rated by others.
Draft Projection: Late Second Round
 
Dan Delgado, Midfielder, San Diego
Delgado came into to people's conscious when he achieved three assists against much favored UCLA in the National Championship, and although teammate Wallen might be the better pro, Delgado has shown he can provide a pass as well score from set-plays. Delgado scored 15 goals and 20 assists in 72 career games at San Diego including two direct free kicks in 2012.
Draft Projections: Supplemental Pick
 
Paolo Del Piccolo, Midfielder, Louisville
Del Piccolo earned his place on a strong Louisville club for providing midfield depth and the ability to cross the ball especially on a set play situation. Del Piccolo only scored six times in 88 games with Louisville and it’s hard to tell if his skill sets in college will translate at the professional level. Still only 21 he may have time to further develop.
Draft Projection: 2nd Round
 
Uwem Etuk, Midfielder, West Virginia
Uwem has been on the American Soccer radar for many years, including playing for DC United U-18 academy. Known as a hard working box-to-box midfielder, Uwem played consistently at West Virginia but failed to dominate and his school struggled in the Big East while he was there. Etuk scored eight goals and 14 assists in 75 games during his college career.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick
 
Andrew Farrell, Defender, Louisville



Regarded now as one of the top prospects going into the draft and given a GA contract after scoring four goals in 21 games as a senior. The 20 year old has good athletic ability but lacks a bit of size at only 5'11. Probably will be expected to play full back for a MLS club and its difficult to tell how long it will take him to become a starter in the league.
Draft Projection: TOP 5 PICK
 
Ryan Finley, Forward, Notre Dame



Taking advantage of a strange college rule, Ryan Finley started all his 39 games with Notre Dame off the bench, although in those games he managed to score 28 goals including 21 in 2012. Prior to that, he played for Duke scoring 28 goals in 39 games. Finley has shown he can score and as a result was given a guaranteed MLS contract but its unsure yet if he'll be given the opportunity to prove he can get it done at an MLS level.
Draft Projection: TOP 10 PICK
 
Ben Fisk, Midfielder, Washington
Not to be confused with the Vancouver Whitecaps reserve player of the same name. Fisk was a mostly a bench player with low profile club Cal Poly, but transferred to Washington and in the last two season played 37 games and scored three goals in 2012. Fisk played mostly defensive midfield in college but might be a better defender at the pro level due to his 6'1 frame.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick
 
Shaun Foster, Defender, Hofstra
The English born defender only played three seasons at Hofstra but also played 27 games in the PDL over those seasons. Foster is a central defender with good size 6'1/180 and a scoring touch with nine goals at Hofstra, six by header. A couple concerns in the schedule Hofstra plays as well as he'll be listed as a foreign player if drafted.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick  
 
Joe Franco, Defender, Cal-Northridge
A defender who lacks size 5'9/150, Franco played mostly right back in college, although showed little ability of being a threat offensively. Franco played 79 games with Cal State Northridge scoring two goals and only having nine shots on target. Franco was awarded Big West Defender of the year which probably got him the invitation to the combine.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick
 
Jordan Gafa, Defender, North Carolina
Gafa a midfielder/defeneder who played a key role in North Carolina championship run in 2011. Prior to 2011 Gafa played mostly from the bench but over the past two seasons he showed he can be useful in a side that included bigger names then him. Gafa finished with six goals and four assists in 74 games at UNC and may provide defensive depth at the MLS level. 
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick
 
Jose Gomez, Midfielder, Creighton
Gomez is a creative midfielder who led Creighton to the National Semi-Final in 2012. Gomez started his college career at CSU Fullerton before transferring to Creighton where he scored 15 goals and 20 assists in 63 games and 16 goals/24 assists in 78 games, if you include his time at Fullerton. The 22 year old looks to be one of the more offensively gifted players in the draft.
Draft Projection: TOP 15 PICK
 
Scott Goodwin, Goalkeeper, North Carolina
Always in the ACC shadow of Belshaw, statistically Goodwin has proven to be the top goalkeeper in the draft. Goodwin had 54 wins and 41 shutouts and Goals Against Average of only 0.29 in 2012. Goodwin's size is a question standing only 6 foot and he wasn’t challenged much in college playing for a very successful UNC, but because he's American he should be a good choice for clubs looking for a Goalie.
Draft Projection: 2nd Round
 
Coleton Henning, Midfielder, Furman
Henning played Midfield, Wing and Forward in College for a Furman side that had higher expectations then it achieved. Henning sat out most of 2010 injured playing only one game so he was a redshirt senior in 2012. He played a total of 77 games only 2 as a sub scoring 24 goals and nine assists for Furman scoring 8 goals in 17 games in 2012.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick
 
Ryan Hollingshead, Midfielder, UCLA
Ryan played a total of 81 games for UCLA but was in the shadows of other MLS draftees before 2012. In 2012 he played a more pivotal role scoring seven goals and adding five assists in 19 starts. Hollingshead is listed as a midfielder, although is more known for being a forward and potentially play winger at the MLS level. His 6'1/180 frame gives the 21 year old more options than others in this draft.
Draft Projection: Late 1st Round
 
Erik Hurtado, Forward, Santa Clara
As of 2011, Hurtado showed good offensive numbers scoring 18 goals, 74 shots on target in 57 games but in 2012 he also showed he could finish, scoring 15 times in 19 games. Hurtado also played with the Portland Timbers U-23 in the PDL where he scored a further 14 goals in 18 games. There is question about his size 5'9 but will be drafted based on his statistical output.
Draft Projection: 2nd Round
 
Jason Johnson, Forward, Virginia Commonwealth



Johson was granted GA status purely due to his athletic ability. Statistically he has achieved decent numbers scoring 28 goals in 60 career games, although at VCU a school not known for its Soccer pedigree. One stat I do like was his ability to get 40 shots on target in 21 games this past season. He will be a high draft pick, although I do have concerns about his impact at the pro level.
Draft Projection: TOP 10 PICK
 
Taylor Kemp, Defender, Maryland
Kemp was injured part of the 2012 season, otherwise I think he would be rated higher than the credit he's been given. The 22 year old Left Back provided a left footed option on set plays during his college career, which meant five of his 11 assists came from free kicks. Kemp also played as a forward on season in the PDL and scored four goals in five games for Real Colorado.
Draft Projection: Late 1st Round  
 
Korey Kindle, Midfielder, CSU-Bakersfield
In Gyasi Zardes' shadow most of his career at Bakersfield, The 21 year old started his college career as a defender but ended up being a useful midfielder. Kindle scored 13 career goals in 72 games including six in 16 games during his senior season. Kindle is regarded as an athletic box-to-box midfielder who may have difficulties becoming a MLS starter but could provide depth.
Draft Projection: Late 2nd Round
 
Mikey Lopez, Midfielder, North Carolina



Lopez played a pivotal role for UNC in their championship run in 2011 but gained a greater presence for goal he scored against Clemson that was shown on ESPN. The 19 year old Lopez was given GA status and looks to be an early pick as scouts love his energy and his ability to play box-to-box for an entire game. He should also be a starter despite his age.
Draft Projection: TOP 3 PICK
 
Kekuta Manneh, Forward
Against players his own age, Manneh has always dominated, but it wasn't until his PDL season in Austin last summer against college age players that Manneh came into the view of many scouts. The 18 year old forward doesn't have great size 5'9/160 but has good speed and likes to get involved, sometimes to much as he's been red carded a few times at youth level.
Draft Projection: TOP 15 PICK
 
Jonathan Mendoza, Midfielder, Stetson
Mendoza seems to be another player selected to the combine for his success in 2011. Mendoza had a very disappointing season in 2012 scoring only one goal in 14 games and even had issues in being the main player on a very weak Stetson team. At only 5'6/140 Mendoza is a case of statistical hype for his 11 goals he scored in 2011 and I would be surprised if he's drafted.
Draft Projection: Undrafted
 
David Meves, Goalkeeper, Akron
Meves had a fantastic college and PDL career. In college with Akron, Meves won 77 games and 53 shutouts, as well with Chicago in the PDL the 22 year old won a further 14 games to go with 10 shutouts. The biggest worry about Meves as a MLS keeper is his size standing only 5'10, that being said I believe a club will take a shot on Meves because of his successful past.
Draft Projection: Late 2nd Round

Fernando Monge, Midfielder, UCLA
Monge never overly impressed during his college career at UCLA and actually achieved greater success in the PDL. The 5th year senior who was redshirted in 2010 is still only 22 years of age. He played 114 games throughout his college and PDL career and this usefulness may encourage a MLS club to take a risk on Monge later on during the Supplemental rounds.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Round
 
Tommy Muller, Defender, Georgetown
Despite only 5'11, Muller was your classic hard nosed centre back during his career at Georgetown. He started 56 games for Georgetown in his last three seasons, which included reaching the National Championship final in 2012. Muller has been given credit for his soccer skills in terms of timing his headers and defensive clearances, although not sure that is enough do deal with his size disadvantage.
Draft Projection: 2nd Round
 
Jimmy Nealis, Defender, Georgetown
Nealis was the standout player during the 2012 National Championship, despite his school Georgetown losing out in the final. Nealis is your classic full/wing back showing good speed and the ability to send in the early cross. Nealis played 82 games with the Hoyas scoring only two goals both in 2009 but he also provide 10 assists (nine from open play)
Draft Projection: TOP 15 PICK
 
T.J. Nelson, Midfielder, SMU
Prior to this season many were looking at SMU junior Juan Castillo and his potential of being a GA, and although he was injured it gave an opportunity for TJ Nelson to be on the college radar. The hard working defensive midfielder played 71 games at SMU scoring twice and four assists - a poorman's Mikey Lopez might be a worth Supplemental draft selection to see if he can adapt to the pro level.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick

Kofi Opare, Defender, Michigan
Opare has great size at 6'3/190 and athletic ability. For these reasons I have him as the top Canadian in the draft. He's been criticized for being an athlete over a soccer player but Opare did play 76 games at Michigan, scoring six goals and showing a want to participate offensively on set play situations. He is raw and will be a development project but at 22 still has time to grow.
Draft Projection: 1st Round
 
Dillon Powers, Midfielder, Notre Dame



After Caldwell signed a homegrown contract, Powers may be the only decent Attacking Midfielder in the draft. The 22 year old controlled a Notre Dame club that ranked first overall much of the season. Powers finished the 2012 season with five goals and nine assists and although he probably will not get the same dead ball opportunities in the pro game, his skills should make him a useful player.
Draft Projection: TOP 10 PICK
 
Andrew Ribeiro, Midfielder, Creighton
With Gomez being the leader of the Creighton offence, Ribeiro was the leader of the team's defense that lost in the semis at the National Championship. The 22 year old defensive midfielder has good size, although still needs to improve his decision-making if he wants to play that role at the pro level. He also showed offensive potential with Portland U-23 club in the PDL last summer.
Draft Projection: Late 2nd Round  
 
Devon Sandoval, Forward, New Mexico
On paper the 21 year old Sandoval shows great potential standing 6'1 and scoring 28 goals in 79 games at New Mexico including 15 goals in 22 games during his senior year. He also showed an ability to hold the ball with 15 assists in that time. Although compared to other forwards in the draft Sandoval doesn't have the speed or athleticism and might be one the forgotten guys in the draft.
Draft Projection: 2nd Round
 
Eric Schoenle, Defender, West Virginia
The standout statistics for the 22 year centre back is the number of goals he scored with his head the last three seasons with 10. Schoenle stands at 6'2 and knows when to jump but is quite small for his height and needs to put on some weight to be competitive at the pro level. That being said, his 14 goals in 75 college game as defender will make him a 1st Round pick.
Draft Projection: TOP 15 PICK
 
Blake Smith, Midfielder, New Mexico
Originally Blake played the role of second striker and scored 10 goals in 2011, but has been adapted into an attacking midfielder and became one of the top assist men in college with 12 assists in 2012. Blake does have the ability to play a deeper role scoring goals from outside the box and providing a cross both from open play and free-kicks although the question is his ability to adapt at the MLS level.
Draft Projection: Early 2nd Round
 
Yannik Smith, Forward, Old Dominion
Yannik is another example of the college hype machine, scoring 16 goals in 2011 and many thought he'd be a player to look out for in 2012, although the 5'9 striker only scored three goals. Yannik's issue is he can show potential but has no consistency. It will be interesting to see where he is drafted as he's the type of player a team can take a chance on or totally ignore.
Draft Projection: Supplemental pick
 
Luis Soffner, Goalkeeper, Indiana
Soffner came into the minds of many college soccer observers when he lead his club Indiana to the 2012 National Championship playing a very strong game in controlling his 18 yard box. Soffner has good size at 6'4/210, unfortunately this year the goalkeeping draft class is very deep and because he was virtually an unknown before this season he might fall down the draft ladder.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick  
 
Luke Spencer, Forward, Xavier
At 6'2/198 Spencer has great size being drafted into a league where similar type players have found a role. Although the forward was relatively an unknown playing at Xavier, he probably will not get the same amount of hype going into the draft as other forwards will have. That said scoring 14 goals in 22 games last season should mean he'll be drafted.
Draft Projection: 2nd Round
 
John Stertzer, Midfielder, Maryland
John was overshadowed by his younger teammate Mullins in 2012, but still did enough to earn guarantee MLS contract before the draft. In 2011 Stertzer scored 14 goals including seven from header, although going into the draft he's listed as a midfielder. Known for not being overly talented it will be interesting to see if his size and reputation will be enough for a MLS career.
Draft Projection: TOP 15 PICK
 
Chris Thomas, Forward, Elon
Each season there is a forward with great college goal scoring numbers going into the draft. In 2012 that player is Chris Thomas, who at Elon, scored 52 goals in 81 games. The 22 year old striker also has good size 6'0/191 but been overlooked by many in this draft because of the GA's. I feel Thomas can fall to the second round and will be great pick up in that spot.
Draft Projection: Early 2nd Round
 
Dylan Tucker-Gangnes, Defender, Washington
Tuker-Gangnes started his college career as a forward but after redshirting his sophomore season, he switched over to centre back and became a leader of his Washington side, including taking all the clubs penalties. He has good size 6'3/190, although isn't athletic as the other top centre backs in draft. That said because he's from the Northwest wouldn't be surprised if Seattle take him in the first round.
Draft Projection: 1st Round
 
Emery Welshman, Forward, Oregon State
Welshman has good speed and scored 32 goals with 14 assists in 70 games during his college career. Welshman moved to Oregon State after scoring 13 goals for Siena as a sophomore. The issue with Welshman's results is most of his goals have been scored against weaker opponents so there still many questions on how effective he will be at the MLS level.
Draft Projection: Late 2nd Round
 
Danny Wenzel, Defender, Wake Forest
Wenzel has a reputation although it has been on a decline since his freshman season. The 22 year old played in 21 games as a freshman starting 20 of them well as Senior he played 17 games with eight of them him coming off the bench. Wenzel experimented in a variety positions in college and if drafted might end up providing depth in midfield rather than a defender.
Draft Projection: Supplemental Pick
 
Eriq Zavaleta, Forward, Indiana



Zaveleta scored 28 goals had an eight assists in 46 games and winning the National Championship with Indiana in 2012, which led to him being given a GA contract by the league. Despite this great output the biggest concern regarding Zavaleta is his speed, so much so many scouts have him as a defender instead of a forward at the pro game.
Draft Projection: TOP 10 PICK  
 
Walker Zimmerman Defender, Furman



Walker has a lot of potential the 6'3 central defender scored 11 goals, seven via headers in 39 games. However, even with these strong statistics, Walker never dominated the college game as one might expect and his school Furman did not even reach the national championship tournament in 2012. He should become a decent MLS player but the question is how long will it take.
Draft Projection: TOP 3 PICK

Aaron Nielsen has worked within the soccer/sports industry for over 15 years. His statistical analysis brings the beautiful game in a whole new light. The detailed player data and prospect lists he produces are used by many scouts, agents, and football insiders around the world.