Five 2023s who impressed scouts at MLS Next Flex
The MLS Next Flex event was held at the Maryland Soccerplex over the last few days. The event features some of the top boys club teams in the U15 through U19 age group including the MLS academy teams in those…
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Continue ReadingThe MLS Next Flex event was held at the Maryland Soccerplex over the last few days. The event features some of the top boys club teams in the U15 through U19 age group including the MLS academy teams in those age groups.
While some players are on the professional pathway at the event (including a handful already signed to professional deals), there are a number of players in the event with plans for college as the next step in their journeys, which is why MLS Next events attract college coaches from every level from all over the country.
In the 2023 class, these events are important for getting on the radar of scouts. PrepSoccer highlights a handful of players who impressed during the event from the 2023 class.
Kaio Reis Kaio Reis F Connections Academy (CA) | 2023 State #78 Nation PA , FC Delco 05 – Reis scored twice in the first half in the win over Vancouver Whitecaps. The center forward for FC Delco has good size and uses his body well. He handles the physical aspects of the game, which is a trait that translates well for the next level. He is one of the top players in the 2023 class in using his body to shield the defender and then using his strength to hold the defender off while he turns toward goal. Center forwards with his level of athleticism and skill are rare to find in the youth game. He is intelligent in his movement off the ball as he showed on his first goal when he drifted off the defender to create space and finish the cross from Nathan Brown. His second goal in the half showed impressive skill to finish the chance from such a tight angle off an assist from Liam May. This FC Delco side will be one to watch in the MLS Next playoffs. They are difficult to breakdown as Vancouver did not get many clean looks on goal. The center back pairing of Daman Sangha and Malachi Neal was excellent in the first half. The outside backs Joseph McDaid and Matthew Reed were strong in duels. The center midfielders were high work rate contributors on both ends of the field – Joshua Oladele scored a nice goal with his left foot to get the scoring started. The attacking trio can strike quickly as all three contributed either an assist or a goal in the win. And goalkeeper Connor Cresswell is there as the last resort with sure hands. FC Delco is a team to watch in the U17 playoffs.
Nicholas Keating, Cedar Stars Monmouth 05 – Keating looked like the best player on the field for most of the win over Houston Dynamo. The left center back reads the game well. He likes to play with the game in front of him so he tends to drop deep and play a support role from the center back spot. The approach puts a lot of pressure on his positioning, which is clearly one of his strengths. He knows where to be to cut off passes, and also when to step in for the tackle. He got crossed up on the Houston Dynamo goal by a nifty touch from Zeke Soto, but that was his only slip-up in a solid performance. On the ball, he make smart decisions with distribution. He has good size and looks to be an immediate contributor at a high division I level. Amir Khan Haleem, Daniel Gonzalez, Riley Tait, and Javon Daniels were also standouts for CSA in the win. Kevin Arias deserves a shoutout for his assist on Daniels’ second goal. It was a terrific chipped pass with the perfect backspin for Daniels to finish in the second half. Gonzalez was especially good in the second half. After working tirelessly in the first half, the expectation was for his level to drop in the second half. But the center midfielder was everywhere in the second half. He is clean on the ball and one of the players who impressed most scouts at the event.
Liam Mullins, Phoenix Rising 05 – With two goals in under five minutes in the second half of the win against Austin FC, Mullins certainly caught the attention of scouts. The center forward is difficult to contain. He is quick in his movement so center backs always need to be on edge around him. He is good in the aerial duels and a creative finisher when given a chance. Luke Burns, a 2024, was also very good for Phoenix Rising.
Yonis Velasquez, Tampa Bay United 03/04 – Velasquez was one of the standouts for the Tampa Bay United U19 team during the week. The midfielder was a key piece for the team that finished 3-0 during the event and finished top of the group. The play that really impressed came early in the win against Baltimore Armour. Velasquez pressed hard and won the ball in the attacking half – he showed good instincts to jump on a long touch from the opposition. He immediately switched into attack mode and made a charging into the right channel. Velasquez delivered an early cross that found Jonathan Nicacio for the opening goal. Robert White and Barrett Saunders Barrett Saunders D State FL were also impressive for TBU from the class of 2023.
Aidan Marley, Seacoast United 03/04 – Marley impressed scouts with his play in the midfield for Seacoast. He was always in the right place at the right time. Seacoast benefitted from his work in the center of the field as he covered a ton of ground. On the ball, he showed excellent qualities with both his first touch and his passing.