FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- When you're fighting with 60 other players to earn the favor of discerning coaches and player personnel directors, standing out from the crowd is a good thing.
After vaulting into a tie for the scoring lead by notching his second goal in as many games on Sunday, University of Michigan and Generation adidas striker Peri Marosevic certainly has improved his stock.
"Being able to score two goals in two games feels pretty good," Marosevic said. "Any time I step on the field, that's what I aim for. It's a good start with two goals in two games. Hopefully, I'll score another one in the next game."
Marosevic's compact frame has given defenders fits all weekend. His squat physique has elicited comparisons to Columbus Crew striker Alejandro Moreno -- comparisons that Marosevic calls "an honor" -- but the Michigan striker thinks he's best using his quickness to exploit spaces in behind the defense rather than operating in a traditional target role.
"I just like to get the ball to my feet and go at defenders," Marosevic said. "My movement is what gets me into the attack. Like today's goal, I just tried to get in behind the defenders and my movement opened up my teammates as well. With my body size and my low center of gravity, it helps me out in keeping the ball."
The goals might or might not impact how high Marosevic will go in Thursday's SuperDraft, but he said that he won't let the uncertainty quell the excitement of starting his professional career.
"We're all nervous about where we are heading," Marosevic said. "I'm excited about the draft. I'm excited about where I'll end up. There will always be that little nerve that you have, but I'll be excited to sit down on draft day. Hopefully, my name will be called higher than lower."
adiTunit, adidas Tiro split the honors: Two first-half goals ensured adiTunit and adidas Tiro shared the spoils after an even affair to open the second day of play at the adidas MLS Player Combine. Peri Marosevic scored his second goal in two days after 19 minutes, but Nick Perera's 31st-minute equalizer gave each team a point. Marosevic capped off a sweeping move in the 19th minute. Liberty midfielder Josh Boateng poked the ball away from Indiana's Kevin Alston at midfield and surged down the left wing. Marosevic's run caught the defense flat footed and he slotted home Boateng's feed past Loyola-Chicago goalkeeper Milos Kocic to give adiTunit the lead.
Adidas Tiro engineered a swift response. Redlands University striker Ross Schenck started the buildup with a clipped ball inside the penalty area to Ryan Maxwell. The Tampa winger used his pace to get in behind the defense, but Cal 'keeper Stefan Frei pushed away the attempt. The rebound fell to UC Santa Barbara striker Ross Perera, who calmly tucked away the loose ball to level the score line.
Late Amarikwa double earns PowerSwerve victory: Second-half substitute Quincy Amarikwa joined Marosevic on two goals after scoring in the 76th and 87th minutes to give PowerSwerve a 2-0 victory in the nightcap.
AdiPure had the play for most of the contest, but couldn't engineer the breakthrough. Florida International's Juan Guerra almost found it in the 73rd minute after a low rebound deflected into his path, but his deflected effort rang the underside of the crossbar before it was hacked off the line.
Amarikwa made adiPure pay for squandering possession by spectacularly opening the scoring three minutes later. A dynamic run down the left wing saw Amarikwa cut past three defenders and head towards goal. His first attempt at goal was charged down, but his second squirted past St. John's goalkeeper Neal Kitson.
The UC Davis striker tallied his second three minutes from time. Wake Forest midfielder Sam Cronin flighted in a corner kick that caused havoc in the adiPure penalty area. Amarikwa was right on the spot to bundle home his second goal of the day and seal all three points for PowerSwerve.
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