THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) named Alpha United’s Delon Lanferman and Jumane Somerset of Pele FC as Guyana’s selectees for the 2015 Major League Soccer (MLS) Combine in Curacao. Set for December 17-20, the MLS Combine will feature players from within the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) competing in front of professional scouts for an opportunity to earn an invitation to the annual Addidas MLS Player Combine in Florida, January 8-13, 2016.
Guyana’s senior national team head coach, Jamaal Shabazz, selected the players following his assessment of the STAG Elite League (Genesis) and in keeping with the 18-22 years MLS Combine rule.
Lanferman finished the League (Genesis) as the highest goalscorer (10), one more than Pele’s Gregory Richardson. He played a pivotal role in his club’s success this year, despite the team’s second place position in the League (Genesis) behind Slingerz Football Club.
The 20-year-old Lanferman is yet to make his Senior National team debut, though representing Guyana at the U-20 and U-23 levels.
Standing at 6’ 2”, Somerset 22, is described as one of Guyana’s top defenders, but the player is also yet to make his Golden Jaguars debut.
Pele FC finished third in the STAG Elite League (Genesis) and conceded a total of 14 goals in their 16 matches played. Only league champions Slingerz FC (9) and Alpha United (11) conceded fewer goals.
The MLS Caribbean Combine is an annual showcase of Caribbean football talent, organised jointly by MLS and the CFU in 2013, with the inaugural combine being held in January 2014. `
The combine provides opportunities for Caribbean players to be observed by MLS scouts with the hopes of being invited to the MLS Combine, an invite-only showcase event held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida prior to the annual MLS SuperDraft.
The combine is part of an agreement between the two entities as they try to promote football development throughout the Caribbean region
Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson is the first and only Guyanese player to be signed by an MLS club following his 2009 deal with the Colorado Rapids.
