MLS Next Cup U17 Semifinals Spotlight: Midfielders & Forwards

<strong>FRISCO</strong>, Texas -- The MLS Next Cup champions in the U17 age group will be crowned Sunday. The Columbus Crew will take on the Philadelphia Union at 7 p.m. local time at Toyota Park. Both clubs had a tough fight in the semifinal matches on Friday. Columbus edged Orlando City SC in penalties and Philadelphia took down Los Angeles FC with a late goal in the second half to earn their spots in the final. This article will focus on the midfielders and forwards from the semifinal matches who stood out. <span style="font-size: 14pt;">Midfielders</span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="8549" first="Robert" last="Willcot"], No. 27, Los Angeles FC</strong> Robert is a technically gifted center midfielder with a lot of pace. He is a skilled dribbler and is very fast with the ball at his feet. He can turn quickly and advance the ball up the field catching opponents off guard. Robert has a great touch and is a goal-scoring threat from the midfield; he scored LA’s only goal in the semi-final with a good strike from about 9 yards out. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="7015" first="Alixson" last="Soukup"], No. 44, Los Angeles FC</strong> Alixson is a fast midfielder who has explosive quickness both on and off the ball. He used his soft touch and great passing to assist LA’s only goal. Alixson’s most impressive quality to me was his movement off the ball when in possession and his superb sense of where to move to get himself space to get on the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="9874" first="Favian" last="Loyola"], No. 10, Orlando City SC</strong> Favian is a true number 10. He has a lot of skill on the ball, but the thing that is most notable about this center-midfielder is his passing abilities. Favian can play precise through balls and penetrating passes with the inside or outside of either foot, which allowed his side to immediately start a counterattack. He plays very quickly and moves the ball around effectively. <span style="font-size: 14pt;">Wingers &amp; Strikers</span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14670" first="Owen" last="Presthus"], No. 11, Columbus Crew</strong> Owen is a winger with a great left foot. He has a good delivery and can whip crosses or corners into the box. He is very good at cutting inside and will look to use his powerful left-footed strike from distance. Owen showed his confidence and poise by netting the game-winning penalty to send Columbus to the final. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="9601" first="Alejandro" last="Granados Torres"], No. 6, Orlando City SC</strong> Alejandro has a high soccer IQ and reads the game well. He can play in the midfield or on the wing. He can create chances and will look to set his teammates up. Alejandro makes good forward runs and can sneak in behind defenders. Something that might be overlooked in this player is his defending. He is active when his side loses possession and will cut off space and get into passing lanes. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="13069" first="Luciano" last="Sanchez"], No. 11, Philadelphia Union</strong> Luciano is an impressive athlete with loads of skill on the ball. He had a lot of success using his skill on the ball and trickery to beat players 1v1. His size, strength, and speed create problems for defenders. Luciano can be hard to lock down or get a clean tackle on. His physicality makes him effective in the air and when challenging for 50/50 balls. <strong>Marcus Zambrano-Delgado, No. 25, Philadelphia Union</strong> Marcus is a pure center forward. He is an excellent target player whose strength makes him incredibly hard to get off the ball. He is extremely good with his back to goal, his touch, and fantastic use of his strength to hold the ball up frustrated the opposing defenders into fouling him multiple times. Marcus also has a powerful and accurate strike and can shoot from distance. He is a clinical finisher with a lot of composure in front of goal. In the final minutes of the second half, he showcased his speed and strength by holding off defenders to get onto a through ball and beat the keeper with a perfect finish to send Philadelphia to the final.