Senior forward Arthur Ivo dribbles the ball, evading Memphis defenders, during Friday evening’s match at Wescott Field. (Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)
This holiday season two SMU men’s soccer players made the list — never mind the naughty or nice list. It’s all about the Major League Soccer (MLS) Player Combine 2012.
Every soccer player dreams of the day where they can lay it out on the field and prove to MLS coaches and scouts they have the talent to perform at the next level.
SMU senior players Diogo de Almeida and Arthur Ivo will have that golden opportunity come January.
“It means that my work on the soccer field has been recognized, and it puts me one step closer to my dream of playing professional soccer,” de Almeida said.
Fifty-two college seniors from Division I schools will travel to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. for the annual MLS Player Combine from Jan. 6 to Jan. 10.
Although it’s only a four-day event, it’s a lifetime of sweat, blood and tears that goes into moments like these.
“Being invited to the combine is important to me because it is a great opportunity to achieve the dream I have been chasing my entire life,” Ivo said.
This career-making list was determined by a panel of Division I college coaches from all conferences. They nominated and voted for players in union with MLS coaches.
Generation Adidas players, NCAA Division II and III collegiate players, and NAIA schools and Division I alternates will also join them on the field.
A total of 66 players will be announced at a later date.
Both SMU players’ seemingly endless list of awards is what probably caught the MLS radar.
Diogo de Almeida de Almeida was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, was selected First Team All-C-USA and was named the Defensive MVP of the C-USA Tournament. He started 20 games and played from nearly whistle to whistle averaging over 92.5 minutes per game.
The defender also made himself comfortable on the offense and posted four goals for the Mustangs. Of course, the Brazilian posted these goals in a flashy manner. De Almeida had a three-game goal-scoring streak from Oct. 12 to Oct. 21, including back-to-back game-winning goals against FIU and Missouri State. The senior stepped off of Wescott Field with 70 SMU career games, nine goals and three assists under his belt.
“As an SMU soccer player, we always hold the highest standards in practices and games,“Diogo said. “SMU has always prepared me to think like a pro and play like a pro in order to someday have an opportunity to make my dreams come true.”
Ivo also posted an impressive list of achievements. He was a First Team All-Conference USA selection for the second consecutive season and was tabbed the Offensive MVP of the C-USA Tournament.
The midfielder appeared in 20 games for SMU, leading the team in ten goals, ten assists, a solid 30 points this season alone.
He also had a team-best four game-winning goals, including the memorable overtime game-clinchers at Duke and South Carolina.
In his career at SMU, Ivo posted 71 games, 24 goals, and 20 assists. Overall he’s had eight game-winning goals and sent all five penalty kicks to the back of the net.
Even with the high numbers and game-winning performances Ivo is working harder than ever to earn himself a spot with the big boys.
“I know that I need to do my best, play hard and be aggressive in order to have an opportunity to be picked up by someone,” Ivo said. “There will be a lot of teams at the combine, so I need to show them my qualities and hopefully earn chance with one of them next season.”
