The Playbook | Saskatoon Summer All-Combine Team
FTF brought elite talent together at the Saskatoon Regional Combine, hosted at Cherry Insurance Field from Friday, June 27th to Sunday, June 28th – and the weekend delivered nonstop energy from start to finish! Day one put players through their paces with a full testing circuit: the 40-yard dash, 5-10-5 agility drill and vertical jump, setting the benchmark for what each athlete brings to the pitch. Day two shifted into live competition, with players taking the field under the watch of college coaches from across North America. Every touch, run, and tackle became a chance to stand out – both for coaches on-site and those tuning in via livestream. It was a weekend packed with standout performances, and here are the top performers we’re excited to spotlight:
Overall MVP – Jasper Benson | Saskatoon Alliance | 2027 Grad
Benson is a smooth and technical defender who can play anywhere across the backline. He reads the game exceptionally well, as he rarely gets beat in 1v1 duels, and finds the right moments to step up to intercept a pass or delay the attacker to let his team recover behind the ball. In possession, Benson is comfortable driving forward to generate a numerical advantage, or find outlets beyond the lines of pressure from the opponents. He is also athletic and strong, so he can slide across the backline as a fullback or centre back effortlessly.
Goalkeeper MVP – Bodhi Gray | Comox Valley UNited SC | 2027 Grad
Gray’s physical presence matched with his shot stopping ability creates doubt in every opponent looking when they attack. He constantly demonstrated command of his box, as he came to collect crosses from open play as well as set pieces. Additionally, Gray was quick to come off his line to clear the danger with his feet, or close down the angle for an oncoming attacker. Gray also showed quick reflexes in 1v1 moments.
Defender MVP – Praise Otasanya | Saskatchewan Excel | 2028 Grad
Otasanya has an excellent blend of size, speed, and strength that make him an excellent defender. He is able to stop the attack through his physical presence and tackling, as well as his ability to read the game to step up and intercept a pass. Otasanya is also very comfortable with the ball at his feet and can pass or dribble his way through an opponents press, as he can see beyond the first line of pressure and makes the right decisions to drive his team forward.
Midfielder MVP – Jayden Ott | Queen City United SC / Saskatchewan Excel | 2028 Grad
Ott is a technically gifted midfielder who can break lines with his passing or dribbling to push his team into the attacking third. He constantly finds soft pockets in between the lines to receive facing forward. Ott scans constantly, in and out of possession, so he reads the game very well and can make the decision that situation requires.
Attacker MVP – George Pappas | Queen City United SC | 2027 Grad
Pappas is an “old school” type of striker who just wants to score goals. He is able to find space in all situations in and around the box, as he moves proactively while always searching to sniff out any chance to score. Pappas is relentless in pursuit of the ball, and runs down every possible chance to create a turnover or a chance for this team. In the box, Pappas barely needs a sight of goal to shoot and is lethal in front of goal.
Young Player MVP – Owen Nimbuona | Saskatoon Alliance | 2029 Grad
Nimbuona is a dynamic and bullish striker who can physically dominate defenders, or can shift past them with his skill. His hold up play is effective, as he can hold off central defenders while connecting the attack with his onrushing midfielders. Nimbuona can also threaten in behind as his pace and skill make him difficult to contain for any defender. In an around the box, Nimbuona only needs a half yard to try and find the back of the net.
First Team All-Combine:
GK – Bodhi Gray | Comox Valley UNited SC | 2027 Grad
DEF – Tega Onuora-Oguno | Saskatoon Alliance | 2028 Grad
DEF – Praise Otasanya | Saskatchewan Excel | 2028 Grad
DEF – Liryck Bagonluri | Saskatchewan Excel | 2027 Grad
DEF – Jasper Benson | Saskatoon Alliance | 2027 Grad
MID – Jayden Ott | Queen City United SC / Saskatchewan Excel | 2028 Grad
MID – Jomi Olaleye | Forge FC | 2029 Grad
MID – Logan Williams-Armstrong | Saskatoon Alliance | 2027 Grad
FWD – Van Molberg | Saskatoon Alliance | 2029 Grad
FWD – George Pappas | Queen City United SC | 2027 Grad
FWD – Owen Nimbuona | Saskatoon Alliance | 2029 Grad
Second Team All-Combine:
GK – Faizan Raji | Forza Soccer Academy | 2029 Grad
DEF – Flourish Osekene | Regina FC | 2029 Grad
DEF – Subomi Adenuga | Saskatoon Alliance | 2028 Grad
DEF – Carter Berry | New Frontier SC | 2026 GRad
DEF – Andrew Anzures | Saskatchewan Excel | 2028 Grad
MID – Landon Murza | Saskatoon Alliance | 2028 Grad
MID – Jace Lawson | Queen City United SC | 2027 Grad
FWD – Wrigley Riggs | Saskatoon Alliance | 2029 Grad
FWD – Ronnie Gibson | Forza Soccer Academy | 2026 Grad
FWD – Ethan Omitayo | Saskatoon Alliance | 2028 Grad
FWD – Felix Langford | Saskatoon Alliance | 2027 Grad
All Combine – Honorable Mentions:
Benjamin Stanzel | Saskatoon Alliance | 2027 Grad
Valentino Silva | Saskatchewan Excel | 2027 Grad
Dalton Traverse | Saskatoon Alliance | 2027 Grad
Zavier Thorde | Saskatchewan Excel | 2026 Grad
Bayo Balogun | Saskatchewan Excel | 2027 Grad
Duc Pham | Saskatchewan Excel | 2028 Grad
Fionntan Lake | Saskatoon Alliance | 2028 Grad
