GORDON WILLIAMS, Star Writer

Two Jamaicans with senior international experience have been invited to next month's Major League Soccer (MLS) Combine in the United States, a showcase primarily for American college players seeking to impress clubs in North America's top professional football competition.

Sergio Campbell and Oniel Fisher were among 55 seniors selected by college coaches and MLS representatives for the January 8-13 tryout in Florida. Both appear eager to prove they can make the transition from school to pros and improve their stock ahead of the January 15 MLS SuperDraft.

"It's the start of a new beginning," 22-year-old Campbell, a defender at University of Connecticut who represented Jamaica at the 2010 Caribbean championship, said yesterday. "What happened in college is done. I'm really excited to move on to the next level."

"The feeling is overwhelming and a big step forward," added Fisher, 23, a University of New Mexico (UNM) midfielder/defender who played his only senior international against Trinidad and Tobago in 2010. "It seems as if I'm finally getting somewhere with football."

Campbell and Fisher have come through Jamaica's national youth programmes.

Clarendon native Campbell, a former teammate of Reggae Boyz goalkeeper Andre Blake at Clarendon College and "UConn", first attended the University of Central Arkansas, but later transferred.

"I wanted to challenge myself," Campbell said. "UConn was a better place to play soccer."

The 6' 4", 192-pounder started every game for the Huskies over three seasons. In 2014 he was named conference defensive player of the year and made the NSCAA All-East Region's second team.

"It was a pretty good year for me," said Campbell, nephew of national captain Rodolph Austin.

Fisher also excelled at UNM, playing mostly in midfield. Both players acknowledged MLS is a good way to begin a professional career.

"Going to England and Europe is not so easy," said Fisher, a St Catherine native who prefers to play right fullback. "MLS is getting better over the years. It's a good league to be in. It's a good look for me."

The two Jamaicans believe they're mentally prepared to make the jump from college.

"My mind is clear," said Campbell, who played with Fisher in Jamaica's U-20 team.

"I'm ready to embrace it," added Fisher, a former St George's College standout who transferred to UNM from Tyler Junior College.

Jamaicans have used the MLS Combine as a stepping stone to pro careers. Last year, Blake, Andre Lewis and Damion Lowe were selected among the SuperDraft's top 10 players.

While the college season for Campbell and Fisher ended last month, they've continued training several times a week, mostly on their own. They're taking nothing for granted at the combine.

"I'm trying to put myself in the best position," said Campbell. "I don't want to come up short. I still have to go there and prove myself. I still need to go there and do work."

"There will be a lot of great players at the combine," added Fisher. "I have to bring my 'A' game."