MLS Next Cup Rewind: More of The U17 Best

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FRISCO, </strong>Texas- The sun has set on the drama of the 2022 MLS Next Cup. Hundreds of the best young players from around the country fought hard against stiff competition and sweltering temperatures to make this tournament one to be remembered. Champions have been crowned and players and coaches have turned their focus to the next phase of their season, but I want to turn attention back to some memorable players and performances from this tournament’s exciting U17 age group. I have already written about some of the standout players from the U17s, but there are several others who are deserving of credit for their efforts on the pitch. This article will shine a light on more of the best players from the U17 MLS Next Cup Playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62d7516cb8c8e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["15208"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Kaio is an athletic center forward who can be a great target player. He is good with his back to goal, which makes him a nice target forward. Kaio is very active with his movement off the ball and has a substantial amount of fitness to do so. Offensively he makes a lot of runs and creates space; defensively he is constantly moving to press the defenders on the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["33224"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Caden is a talented box-to-box midfielder who can also play like a #10. He affects play at both ends of the pitch, getting back to defend inside his team’s box as well as in the open field. His passing makes him a great distributor and good at creating chances in the offensive third. Caden has a good strike, is not afraid to tee it up from distance, and is a goal-scoring threat from set-pieces.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["37618"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Daman is a strong center-back with a lot of composure. He makes smart decisions with his passes and tends to not give possession away or force a ball that is not on. Daman is good in the air and can be a threat on attacking set-pieces.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["12547"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Micah is a technically skilled center midfielder with great vision. His touch and passing skills are an asset, and allow him to play quickly. He has an accurate strike and will look to go for goal from almost any angle. Micah’s knack for creating chances on his own makes him a threat anytime he is on the ball in the offensive third.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["16059"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Drake is a strong center-back with a lot of athleticism. He controls his back line well and stands out as a leader on the pitch. His athleticism contributes to his ability to make strong challenges and catch up to attackers. He is great in the air and is often targeted on attacking corners. Drake has the physicality, athleticism, and instincts to be a complete center-back.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["41210"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Anthony is an outside-back with loads of pace and skill. His capacity to carry the ball up the field and beat players with his dribbling are impressive. He could play as a winger with how good he is at going forward and creating chances. I have not seen many defenders who are as good on the ball as Anthony is, and even less that are as fast with the ball at their feet. His fitness and pace allow him to join in on the attack, but get back quickly to defend when he needs to.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["14709"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Taha is a skilled center-midfielder with an eye for goal and his creativity makes him dangerous in the offensive third. Taha is good with the ball at his feet, he can take defenders on and create chances for teammates or space for himself to get a shot off. Pressure doesn’t seem to faze him, which he proved by converting several crucial penalties during Columbus’s run including one in the cup final.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["17310"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Joshua is a fit midfielder who can be a threat offensively. His movement off the ball makes him a difficult midfielder to mark and allows him to sneak in behind defenders. He had several assists in the tournament that showed his vision and passing. Joshua is also a threat in front of goal and scored a header in the cup final.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["15160"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Gavin is a physically strong center-back who was a consistent presence at the back throughout the playoffs. He has an impressive ability to anticipate plays, cut off through balls, and win headers. Gavin is excellent when it comes to marking and 1-on-1 defending, which makes him tough for attackers to beat. He has a high soccer IQ, makes very few mistakes, and was a key piece in Philadelphia’s championship run.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["15063"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Andrew is a smart and vocal goalkeeper with good instincts. He makes good decisions when it comes to coming off his line and clearing the ball. His shot-blocking was showcased in the cup final when he was forced to save some great shots from up close and from distance. Andrew’s passing and ability with his feet are impressive.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["15234"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Luke is a well-rounded left-back who is fantastic at going forward. He can play as a wing-back, providing width and an attacking option from the wing. His delivery is great, he can whip crosses into tight spots or switch the field with accurate long balls. Luke is excellent with his movement- frequently making penetrating forward runs, but also has the fitness to recover quickly. There aren’t many defenders who cover as much ground as he does throughout a match. His tackling and marking abilities are solid as well.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->