Christensen Invited to the 2018 MLS Player Combine
Date Posted: 1/11/2018
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland Pilots senior Paul Christensen, who is the reigning two-time West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year, has been invited to participate at the 2018 Major League Soccer adidas Player Combine, which is slated to take place Jan. 11-17 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Fla. It's the second straight year a Portland player has been invited to the combine as Eddie Sanchez took part last January.
"I am very excited for the opportunity to attend the MLS Combine," Christensen said. "The last four years at UP have prepared me well. I am thankful for all my teammates, coaches, our athletic trainer Amber Eubanks and strength coach Bryant Ferate, who have been a huge part of my time at UP. I couldn't do this without them."
"I'm very proud of Paul for being named to the MLS combine, which is a direct result of his dedication to his craft and drive to become the best version of himself," said Portland men's soccer head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. "Portland is a program where players can realize their professional ambitions. This is the second year in a row we have had a senior graduate early and be named to the MLS combine. Paul has been a great ambassador for our program both on and off the field and it's wonderful that other people outside our program recognize the success he's had these past two years. Paul has impeccable character and has committed himself to the highest levels of academic and athletic success. We are very proud of everything he's accomplished in our program but importantly what he stands for as a person. We wish Paul the best as he pursues a professional career as he's left the program better than he found it."
Christensen was named to the 2017 United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region Team after leading the conference in shutouts for the second consecutive year, producing six clean sheets overall. His three shutouts against league opponents were also tops in the league, as was his 1.11 goals against average. A four-year starter, Christensen ends his career No. 5 all-time in program history in both shutouts (20) and saves (283).
60 NCAA Division I college players are on the initial invite list to participate at the 2018 combine. Representatives from all 23 MLS clubs will be present to scout the top college prospects ahead of the Jan. 19 MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia.
A committee of MLS coaches and NCAA D1 coaches from every conference selected the invitees, all of whom completed their college eligibility this season. Further invitees, including Generation adidas signings and non-college players, will be announced in coming weeks.