New Jersey 2024/2025s to know prior to MLS Next Flex 

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next Winter Showcase event, MLS Next Flex, kicks off this week from Indio, California. There are over 300 youth teams headed to California for the event, which features the top teams from the U13 through U19 age groups with games from Dec. 2 through Dec. 8.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The New Jersey teams enter the event with big aspirations. In the U16 and U17 age groups, there are teams with dreams of contending for the national title. The upcoming showcase will be a good test for the groups. It will also be a big spotlight for the players. Check out some of the names to know from the New Jersey sophomore and junior class who have been bright spots in MLS Next this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":67263,"width":512,"height":341,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/11/IMG_B10BAB1CA321-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-67263" width="512" height="341" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='58156' first='Jack' last='Cappuccio'] [Photo: Matt Ralph]</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["65556"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Kunderan can create goals out of nothing. He is riding a hot streak right now, which makes him a dangerous attacker in MLS Next. Kunderan has done well in punishing mistakes from defenders and being efficient with chances. He has goals in three of the last four games. The center forward is a player that the opposition has to mark. He is a willing runner and a good target for his side. He has the strength to play with this back to the goal and the ball control to link up with teammates. Kunderan has a lot of qualities to like for a center forward prospect for the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["58156"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Cappuccio is another player in good form coming into the event. He plays as a winger, but he tends to drift and finds pockets of space along the attacking line. He has been successful recently with goals in the last two games heading into the event. Cappuccio's movement off the ball makes him a difficult mark for any defender. He is already in the PrepSoccer state rankings, but he is a player who is going to be quickly climbing the rankings.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["12927"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Carlson is a center midfielder with quick feet and good vision. He wears the captain's armband for his team. He is a leader in his actions on the field. He is always playing a role in supporting his team. From his positioning when his team is in the attacking third to his tactical intelligence on playing a support role when his team is defending, he is often in the right spot to make an impact. He is also eager to get touches. He showed good ball control against DC United and did well under pressure. He is a midfielder who should be on the radar for scouts at the event.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["65611"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003ca href=u0022https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/mateusz_marciniak2u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eHighlight Clipu003c/au003ernrnMarciniak has been outstanding in MLS Next this season, and is a major reason why Cedar Stars Academy U17 is sitting at the top of the table in their division. Marciniak is a striker, one of the best finishers in MLS Next. He is an imposing figure on the field and battles with center backs. Marciniak has excellent ball striking qualities and can hit the leather off of the ball. He is right footed but can score with either foot if given the space. He is excellent in aerial duels too. He has scored a goal in the last five MLS Next games for Cedar Stars Academy.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["59858"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Jarvis is an exciting prospect from the 2025 class. He is a top prospect from the national level. He started for Red Bulls against Philadelphia Union as the attacking midfielder. He has all of the tools for the next level - size, intelligence, and mentality. Jarvis has been a bright spot for the NYRB this season. He provides the key pass, as well as the element to create in space. NYRB U17 is at their best when he is on the ball.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63852e5b66e41"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kNOlayher4","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kNOlayher4 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->