FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The final game of the 2011 MLS Combine ended in a stalemate, as AdiPure and AdiZero battled to a 0-0 tie.
Both sides had their share of chances in the abbreviated final game, but both AdiPure (1-0-2) and AdiZero (1-1-1) failed to capitalize and lacked that clinical edge in the penalty area.
Generation adidas signing and AdiZero forward Will Bruin spurned two first-half chances from dangerous positions.
Midfielder John Rooney, one of the stronger performers during the first two games of the combine, continued to do well for himself in his first half performance. However, he could do nothing to help AdiPure, who went scoreless for the second time in the Combine.
Rooney, always looking to get a shot off when he can, found space in the 18th minute and firing a shot low and across goal that Josh Ford parried wide for a corner.
Bruin missed the best chance of the first half for AdiZero in the 36th minute. Michael Farfan collected the ball near the top of the box, and sent in a high, looping ball that Bruin couldn’t fully connect on to beat AdiPure goalie Jimmy Maurer.
Bruin would get another chance a minute later. AdiPure central defender Curtis Ushedo failed to clear a cross, and it fell again to Bruin. The striker, however, had the ball snatched off his foot by Maurer.
Scoreless after the break, the match resumed with similar proceedings. Tired and clearly affected by the heat, players pressed to impress and find a little spark that could prove the difference.
Matheus Braga inspired the best moment of the second half for his AdiZero side, drawing a foul in a dangerous position a few feet outside of the box. He looped in a nice ball from the set piece that forward Amani Walker could only head over.
The best chance of the game, however, went to AdiPure's Brayan Martinez. The Seton Hall midfielder received a pinpoint cross from teammate Jason Herrick from the left flank. With a wide-open net, Martinez switched the ball over to his left foot to finish, but that gave AdiZero defender Indy Smith enough time to occupy the goalmouth and block the shot.
AdiPure would have one last chance to pull ahead with a few minutes left before the final whistle. Hector Jimenez combined with his Cal teammate, Davis Paul, and let loose a shot that beat Ford but not the post. Jimenez then blasted his follow up high of the net.
Starting Lineups
AdiPure: Jimmy Maurer; Demitius Omphroy, Eddie Ababio, Jalil Anibaba, Jeb Brovsky; Hector Jimenez, Dustin McCarty, John Rooney, Josue Soto; Jason Herrick, Matt Eliason.
AdiZero: Josh Ford; Charlie Campbell, Juan Cruz, Tyler Lassiter, J.T. Murray; Michael Farfan, Cole Grossman, Stephen McCarthy, Joao Plata, Ernesto Carranza; Will Bruin
