The University of Akron Athletics
Zips' Abdul-Salaam selected to participate in MLS Player Combine
December 11 | Men's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio - Akron senior Saad Abdul-Salaam (Gahanna, Ohio) will represent the Zips' men's soccer team at the 2015 Major League Soccer Player Combine as he was one of 55 Division I college seniors invited to participate in the MLS Player Combine, which will be held in front of representatives from all 20 MLS clubs from Jan. 8-13 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
A first-team All-MAC performer, Abdul-Salaam started all 21 games for the Zips this season registering two goals and a team-high six assists. He recorded 17 shots, including five on goal, and finished third on the squad in scoring with 10 points. He is ranked 55th nationally in total assists (6) with three of those assists coming on game-winning goals.
A committee of NCAA Division I coaches from every conference, as well as MLS coaches, selected the invitees, all of whom completed their college eligibility this season. Generation adidas signings, non-collegiate players, and additional college seniors will be announced in the coming weeks.
The 2015 MLS SuperDraft will be held in Philadelphia, Pa., on Jan. 15.
Developing players for the next level has become commonplace for the Akron staff as 25 Zips have gone on to play professionally either in Major League Soccer, USL or overseas since 2006, including No. 1 overall pick Steve Zakuani in 2009, and No. 2 overall picks Darlington Nagbe in 2011 and Darren Mattocks in 2012 - just to name a few. Nagbe was part of a draft class that set MLS draft day records for most players drafted from a single school in the first round (5) and overall (8).
