WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Former Monmouth University men's soccer standouts Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn. /Naugatuck) and Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J. /Scotch Plains-Fanwood) concluded their stints at the 2011 Major League Soccer Player Combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Tuesday. The combine, which ran from January 7-11, precedes the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, which will be held on Thursday at 12:00 pm on ESPN2.
GoMUHawks.com recently caught up with both Bryan and Ryan as they prepare to enter the next phase of their individual careers in professional soccer.
GOMUHawks.com: How was your experience at the combine?
Bryan Meredith: It's been a good experience, as well as a new one for me. We did a lot of things ar the combine that expected, but some things I didn't. The level of play was very high, and my teammates and I connected pretty well off the bat. I thought guys were going to play more individually and be out for themselves, but my team played well together.
Ryan Kinne: It was an awesome experience overall. I got to play with a lot of good players, the best college players in the nation, and it was a great experience.
GOMUHawks.com: How was it playing with other potential draft picks?
BM: it's been good to play with guys that I haven't had the chance to play with before. It was interesting to see how fast we gelled as a side. It was also interesting to see how players played and reacted to certain circumstances on the field
RK: It was great to get a chance to play with some of these guys. It was an honor to be out there and it was something special.
GOMUHawks.com: How did your experience at Monmouth and with Coach McCourt prepare you for this time?
BM: The way coach prepared us both mentally and physically helped me out tremendously. I wouldn't be where I am today without coach and my teammates.
RK: Coach treats every training session as professional. He puts forth an atmosphere of professionalism every day, so it wasn't a big change from college to pro life, potentially.
GOMUHawks.com: What's been your favorite part of this entire process?
BM: I'd say the best part was getting to meet all the guys that will be involved with the draft.
RK: The best part was just being at the combine. It was great to get out of the cold and play and only think about soccer.
GOMUHawks.com: What do you think you bring to a potential pro team? What's your greatest strength?
BM: I am going to work hard for any team that would take a chance on bringing me in. I am going to try and get better every single day.
RK: I am never satisfied so I am always going to continue to work to be a better player. I will go to any limit; I want to play until I am an old guy.
