FRISCO, Texas – Day two of the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in Frisco, Texas, the games kept up their competition with the actual heat, as it was another hot day with great games again. Today’s focus is on the older…
FRISCO, Texas – Day two of the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in Frisco, Texas, the games kept up their competition with the actual heat, as it was another hot day with great games again.
Today’s focus is on the older groups of U17 and U19 and as you can imagine the level of play was again of top quality.
The following is a small sample of the talent I saw today and those who stood out, there will be plenty more notes on this age group added during the rest of the week.
Brody Duff, Phoenix Rising Pro Academy U17
Position: Defender Central #12
Brody stood out today in a really good game. He has good height and body size. He is a very good talker, organized his defensive team mates quite well throughout the game. He has very good reading of game also. He is quick in mind and has athleticism to match too. Brody is also very comfortable on ball also and not afraid to step up and play further up the park. It will be worth keeping an eye on this defender going forward. He is a class of 2023 prospect.
Kaden Standish, De Anza Force U17
Position: Midfield Right Side #10
Kaden is what I call an old-school wide player. He played very well and was very attacking every time he got the ball.
Kaden is very assured on the ball, strong on his right but not afraid to use left. Kaden has great positioning and was an outlet every time wide. He is quick in mind as well as body and a very strong dribbler. Has great physical size to add to his speed also.Kaden was very dangerous every time he got ball and started attacking opposition. He also does not shirk his defensive responsibilities, a real team player. Another to keep an eye on going forward from the class of 2023.
Kellan Grace, Beachside of Connecticut U17
Position: Center Mid #10
Kellan played way above his years against a very good team today. He is very confident on the ball and able to play with both feet. He has very clever movement and good talking to his teammates. He is well-sized and strong on-ball, not knocked off the ball easily. He possesses a great pass and good eye for passes too. Very nice link player also and not afraid to tackle or defend either. Very likable player from the class of 2023.
Position: Midfield/FWD Wide #37
Bryce quite an accomplished player and is tidy on the ball and off the ball also. Very disciplined in his positioning defensively as well as on offense too. Bryce is very comfortable on the ball. He is always looking for the ball and holds his position quite well too. He links play very well from defense to offense. Has great size and is quick of mind and speed as well as having a great eye for goal and took his goal well too as well as been very good with his passing. Seems he could play as a center forward player also. He is a prospect for the class of 2024.
Bennett Yeboah, Oakwood SC U17
Position: Forward #9
Bennett Yeboah is another kid I saw today that reminded me of old school players. He is big, strong and quick. From the moment game started to end, he kept running and closing down the opposition defenders and did not give them an inch. He possesses a very good shot. He has very good hold-up abilities and is quick with the ball and also without the ball too. He has clever movement also and had defense on the move at all times. He is quite adept at using both feet as well as having very good dribbling abilities too. You can tell he is also a great team player and good listener also, as his coach seemed quite happy with his efforts at all times. He is a prospect for the class of 2023.
Aaron had a very memorable game. His overall game is very good. Has a very calm presence throughout game, very confident. He is a good talker and went about organizing his defense very well. He is good with distribution also. You can see him as good leader of his team. He has good agility, good positioning and good at coming for crosses too. His starting position also was good also at all times. He also covers his goal quite well too with his size. Great penalty kick save to send his team into next round too. He is a recent Furman verbal commit for the class of 2023.