USYS Boys U16 National League Pro Preview
The US Youth Soccer National League P.R.O. holds two showcase events during the club season. The second event will kick off on Saturday from the Legacy Sports Complex in Mesa, Arizona. The U15 through U19 age groups will be in…
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Continue ReadingThe US Youth Soccer National League P.R.O. holds two showcase events during the club season. The second event will kick off on Saturday from the Legacy Sports Complex in Mesa, Arizona. The U15 through U19 age groups will be in action at the event.
The U16/2006 age group will feature some of the top teams in that age group in the country. PrepSoccer will be on hand for the event over the weekend, check back for exclusive coverage on the site and social media.
Prior to the event, check out a preview of the teams and players to watch for the 06 age group at the National League P.R.O. event in Arizona. Check out our preview from the U17 age group as well.
West Pines United FC 2006B Ezzy (FL) sits in the top spot in Group D heading into the event. But SC Wave Juniors 06 (WI) and FC Europa 06 Boys Elite (PA-E) are close on their heels. West Pines’ success has come from controlling the play through the midfield. Tomas Varela has been a standout in that role. The defensive midfielder dictated how the game was played with his positioning and passing during the Sunshine Conference games in September. Jayden Board and Sebastian Fernandez are players to watch in the attack. Both are dynamic athletes who press hard and try to punish mistakes quickly.
SC Wave looks up to the task to challenge West Pines for the top spot in Group D. The squad from Wisconsin is tactically sound with a pair of center backs that play deep and eat up any through ball. Hudson Scheiber offers some quality in the center of the field. He is clean on the ball and connects the lines for SC Wave. Daniel Schneidler is one to watch on the wings. He can play on either wing, but likes to cut onto his right in the attack.
Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh Premier (PA-W) leads the way in Group E. Arsenal has rolled through the competition so far with a 4-0 record. They are scheduled to face SC del Sol (AZ), STA MOSC (NJ), and NJ Premier (NJ) during the event.
“The team has been making steady improvements over the last few years and proven it can compete at the national level,” Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh’s Executive Director Jonathan Velotta told PrepSoccer in an email interview. “This year’s success is a byproduct of the players’ buy-in to their individual and team development process. They play a modern, attractive style of soccer and have combined that with a more mature approach to their game management which has resulted in some key wins this season.”
Velotta credited National League for providing a path to the National Championship for keeping the squad focused.
“Having the opportunity to qualify for the National Championship through the National League has certainly motivated the group for our league games,” he said. “Playing more elite competition consistently on a national stage has improved our team’s preparation and training.”
Goalkeeper Cole Barton has been a standout for the Arsenal side. Barton was in goal during the weekend in Florida where Arsenal picked up three wins with one shutout and only two goals conceded.
The central core of Luke Fiscus, Michael Shin, and John Bence have been top performers this season for Arsenal. They’ve made the spine of the team one of the strongest assets against tough competition.
Drew McKim is the dangerous weapon in the attack. He’s been lethal in front of goal on the campaign and looking to add to that tally in Arizona.
Amir Awais, Koven Johnson, and Bence are the captains of the side. They’ve been the catalyst to the 4-0 mark in the National League play so far.
Strikers Miami FC Elite (FL) is top of the table in Group F. Strikers take on Sparta B06 JK (UT), FC Evolution (OH), and BG Elite FC (KY) during the event. Adrian Caceres is one of the players to watch on the Strikers side. The midfielder is the captain of the team. He leads with his actions as he controls the center of the field with his disruptive play. He is excellent at reading the game and stepping into passing lanes. Strikers thrive when he is on the ball and getting the attack rolling quickly. Strikers also offers some different looks in the attack as the center backs are active getting forward and can quickly overload one side of the field with numerical advantages.
Miami Breakers FC is another team to keep an eye out for in Group F. Breakers enjoyed a successful season last year that included a trip to Nationals. The Florida squad is undefeated in National League play during this campaign but only picked up one win during the December window. The Breakers need to find some wins during the March window to get back on top of the table. Breakers take on Olympiacos FC Academy (CA-S), BG Elite (KY), and FC Evolution (OH) during the event. Center back Eric Vallecillo and forward Cosme Salas were members of the USYS National Championship Best XI last season. Vallecillo is a towering left center back who is good on the ball and leads a punishing defensive unit. He could be one to watch for the future as Breakers eye a finish on the top of the group at the end of the weekend in Arizona.