Cory Brown Soccer contract

New Zealand defender Cory Brown to audition for Major League Soccer contract

Those were Cory Brown’s intentions when he agreed to join Xavier University in Cincinnati in 2014.

Now, after four years in the United States, he is closer than ever to achieving both of his goals.

The 21-year-old from Nelson has been invited to the Major League Soccer player combine, where he will effectively audition for a contract in front of scouts from all 23 clubs.

The combine begins in Orlando on Saturday and sees the 60 participants split into four teams. As well as playing competitive matches throughout the week, the players will also be interviewed by clubs representatives and go through various physical tests, including speed, agility and vertical leap.

“It’s pretty much a job interview,” he said.

“For me it’s pretty important because we didn’t make the end of season tournament, the NCAA tournament, and that’s when they’re mainly watching as you’re playing better teams.

“So for me it’s pretty important to show well there and there are some guys who are already signed with MLS and know they’re going to be drafted, it’s just a matter of where.”

The left-footed centre-back, who spent the past two seasons as Xavier’s captain, said it was a relief to receive the invite to the combine, as his future in MLS depended on it.

“It’s been a long time coming. The end goal of the four years that I was here was to make sure I was invited to the combine. Now that it’s come round it’s pretty exciting but I almost just want to get it over with because it’s been so long now since I found out and I’ve just been trying to stay in shape and keep sharp on the ball.”

MLS is becoming an increasingly popular destination for New Zealand players with All Whites Michael Boxall, Stefan Marinovic, Myer Bevan, Jake Gleeson, James Musa, Deklan Wynne and Kip Colvey on the books of various clubs, while Bill Tuiloma, who played alongside Brown in the New Zealand under-20 team, could yet extend his stay with Portland Timbers.

Brown saw the large Kiwi presence as a positive, believing their success could spark some interest in him and other New Zealand prospects.

“It definitely helps. They’re doing well there and that helps all of us. I think even in college a few Kiwi boys have done well there and I think that’s helping us all out too.”

There is a possibility that Brown could find a home at Colorado Rapids, where Wynne and Colvey will play this year. The Rapids have hired former All Whites coach Anthony Hudson and he was quick to surround himself with familiar faces from New Zealand, including Brown’s former under-20 coach Darren Bazeley.

Brown said there has been “some” communication between his agent and MLS club representatives but he felt that a strong showing at the combine will be the difference between getting drafted or not.

“Then they can see me and talk to me there,” he said.