Caribbean Football Union, Major League Soccer Partner To Showcase Local Talent

The Caribbean Football Union and Major League Soccer have signed a "partnership agreement in Antigua that will showcase young Caribbean football talent to the MLS and give the players the opportunity to progress towards professional football" in the U.S., according to Paul Nicholson of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. The first MLS Caribbean Player Combine will take place Jan. 2-5 at the Antigua Recreation Grounds, and will include "training sessions and games against local clubs." This is the "first initiative of its kind in the Caribbean." Elite players aged 18-22 will play in front of MLS scouts, with the "best players being invited to the annual adidas MLS Player Combine" in Florida later that month. CFU President Gordon Derrick said, "It is important that we involve all 31 of our Caribbean federations. Federations will be invited to nominate their top two players for the Combine" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 11/15).