Timbers invite-only combine sets the stage for prospects

Over the years, the Timbers have discovered several players through their annual tryouts. The club’s invite-only combine will once again consist of a talented player pool, and the Timbers aim to continue the trend of finding prospects.
Heading into last season, the Timbers invite-only combine uncovered forward
George Josten
and midfielder
Josh Cameron
– both contributors in the club’s 2009 Commissioner’s Cup run. Previous combines have also led to the signing of nearly a dozen players, including former Timbers
Bryan Jordan
and
Troy Ready
. Who will standout at the 2010 edition of the combine?
Here is another look at a group of players attending the Timbers invite-only combine this weekend:
Robert Simioli
(goalkeeper) – Traveling from Australia … Played in Australia’s Victorian Premier League with the Whittlesea Stallions (2002-04), Richmond Eagles (2005-07) and Whittlesea Zebras (2008-current) … A former member of the Australian U-17 National Team … Played for various select teams that represented Australia in tournaments around the world.
Joel Smith
(defender) – One of the top defensive players in the country at the NAIA level … Was a four-time All-America selection at Concordia University, Irvine … Earned four All-Golden State Athletic Conference selections … Notched 12 goals and four assists in college career … Helped UCI reach the NAIA national title game in 2007 … Served as team captain his final two seasons … Previously a member of the U.S. U-17 National Team Residency.
Alandus Brooks
(defender) – Attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham … Was one of the top defensive performers for the Blazers his final two seasons … Entering his collegiate career was named one of the “Top 100 Freshman to Watch” by Soccer America … played both in the midfield and on the backline during his collegiate career … Part of a UAB squad that reached the C-USA finals in 2009 … Was a teammate of Timbers defender Quavas Kirk at the U.S. U-17 National Team Residency.
Westly Allen
(defender) – A Texas native … Attended Oakland University, where he was named to the Freshman All-America third team … After college, played for the start-up Austin Aztex U-23s in the Premier Development League, which won the 2008 Southwest Division title … Joined the professional ranks in 2009 with Austin’s USL First Division squad … Logged 396 minutes in 11 games (two starts) during his rookie campaign.
Brett Gardner
(midfield) – A Portland, Ore., native … played prep at Sunset High School … Was a three-time All-Pac-10 selection at Oregon State University … A four-year starter for the Beavers … Ranks among OSU’s career leaders in games played … During his collegiate career, was a three-time All-Pac-10 Academic first team and CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honoree.
Eric Carpenter
(midfield) – Played his rookie season in 2009 with the Cleveland City Stars of the USL First Division … Made six appearances and played 257 minutes for the City Stars …Successfully made it through a tryout and preseason before signing with the club … Played his collegiate career at Bethel College, where he was an All-MCC selection in 2007 and 2008 … Named Bethel’s Offensive Player of the Year following his senior season in 2008.
Bamba Benafou
(mid./for.) – Was a member of the youth academy for French side Paris St. Germain … Played professionally for French third division club Paris FC in 2008-09 … Prior to that, played in England’s League Two with AFC Bournmouth during the 2007-08 season.
Saidi Isaac
(forward) – Scored 39 goals as a freshman in 2004 at Park University and earned NAIA All-American honors … Finished college career at Winthrop University, scoring 46 goals and 16 assists … Was named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List entering his senior season in 2007 … Selected as the 2006 Big South Conference Player of the Year … Prior to his senior season was named to the Preseason All-America third team … Was a three-time All-Big South honoree … Picked by the New England Revolution in the 2008 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft.
Rory Agu
(forward) – A member of the Premier Development League’s Tacoma Tide since 2006 … Is the Tide’s all-time leading goals scorer … Tallied a PDL-career high 11 goals last season and earned All-PDL Western Conference honors … Led Tacoma to the Northwest Division title in 2008 … Played at Fresno City College for two seasons, scoring a combined 15 goals and 13 assists from 2008-09.