Just four months ago, James Moberg wasn't sure whether he would have to put his dream of playing professional soccer on hold.

The University of Washington midfielder had entered the 2015 season as one of the top college prospects in the nation. But just six games into his senior season, the 21-year-old sustained the first major injury of his career, spraining the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his knee during a collision with the Harvard University goalkeeper. The injury kept Moberg out for the last half of his senior season.

But the midfielder never stopped working to get back on the pitch, and on Sunday morning, Moberg happily sprinted up and down the field at the MLS Player Combine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, intent on showing MLS coaches that he was back to full health and ready to make the jump to the pro level.

"I know I'm lucky to be playing in these games and getting this shot," Moberg said. "A lot of people never get this opportunity... Every single day I'm working as hard as I can because you never know when it's going to be your last game or practice."

Moberg was one of three former Portland Timbers U23 players invited to compete in the MLS Player Combine from Jan. 7-12. The annual showcase featured 72 college and international prospects and gave MLS teams one last chance to scout potential draft picks ahead of Thursday's MLS SuperDraft.

Former Timbers U23 players Dennis Castillo, who was named the 2015 PDL Defender of the Year during his time with the Timbers U23s, and Todd Wharton, who was named to the 2015 PDL All-League team during his time in Portland, also competed in the combine.

All three former Timbers U23 players are expected to be drafted in the first two rounds of Thursday's MLS SuperDraft and some analysts have all three going in the first round.

The Timbers will pick No. 20 in the first round of the draft and Portland could use that pick to take a gamble on one of their former U23 players.

"Getting an opportunity is all I can ask for," Wharton said. "I've just been trying to work as hard as I can and show well for the coaches. This is something I've dreamed about my whole life. I'm ready for the next step and hopefully I get an opportunity."

In the past few weeks, Wharton said that he has leaned on the advice of his friends and former teammates that have already made the jump to the pro level, including T2 forward Kharlton Belmar, who the Timbers took with the No. 34 overall pick in 2015.

The three former Timbers U23 players have also drawn on their experience in Portland for confidence as they've tried to prove that they are ready for MLS.

Castillo said competing in Portland gave him a sense of what an MLS environment would be like. He even had a few chances to train with the first team and get a glimpse of the competition level in MLS.

"I couldn't ask for a better environment to be in during the summer as a college athlete," Castillo said. "Being with a successful MLS team, like the Timbers, gave me a sense of what the professional experience is like."

Castillo came to the United States from Costa Rica in 2011 after being recruited by the Virginia Commonwealth University soccer program. He was excited to earn his degree in the United States, but the midfielder also never lost sight of his goal of one day playing professional soccer.

"I'm taking everything day-by-day," Castillo said. "I just want to make the transition to the next level."

Even as they are on the cusp of earning their shot in MLS, all three former Timbers U23 players recognize that getting drafted would be just the first step in trying to earn a roster spot with an MLS team.

Moberg is especially ready for the work that lies ahead.

After four months dedicated to his rehabilitation, the 21-year-old is just happy to be back on the field and ready to seize his opportunity.

"From when I was little, I wanted to be a professional athlete," Moberg said "It's crazy to now be at the combine and thinking my dream is coming true. But it's just another step in the process. I still have to get drafted and make the team."

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg