2024s on the rise after the MLS Next Winter Showcase
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INDIO, California – The MLS Next Winter Showcase/Generation Adidas Qualifying event wraps up this week from the Empire Polo Fields in Southern California. The event is the first showcase of the season for the MLS Next teams. With hundreds of…
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Continue ReadingINDIO, California – The MLS Next Winter Showcase/Generation Adidas Qualifying event wraps up this week from the Empire Polo Fields in Southern California. The event is the first showcase of the season for the MLS Next teams.
With hundreds of teams in attendance, there were college coaches from every level as well as scouts from clubs all over the world in attendance. For the majority of players, this was the perfrect opportunity to get the attention of a coach for the next level.
For the current junior class, this is a significant time in the recruiting calendar as many top programs look to finalize scholarships and roster projections for the coming years.
PrepSoccer was on hand over the weekend for some of the games. Check out the players that impressed from the games.
Chris Rogers, Columbus Crew U17 – Rogers started all three games for Crew, which went 3-0 at the event. Rogers, the recent Kentucky commit, is a defender who I believe previously featured as an outside back but has switched to left center back. He is an excellent 1v1 defender – physical, strong, and smart in the tackle. Rogers was a breakout star of the MLS Next event.
Cole Mrowka Cole Mrowka M Stevenson | 2024 IL , Columbus Crew U17 – Mrowka is in the PrepSoccer National Rankings, but probably too low. The attacking midfielder has really shined with the Crew this season. His performance at MLS Next, specifically against Inter Miami, showed what a special player he is. Mrowka creates scoring chances with his sublime passing. He looks to be on the professional pathway at this point, and Crew seems to rate his qualities very highly within their system.
Phoenix Wooten, Columbus Crew U17 – Wooten is a relatively new addition to Crew. He is a box-to-box midfielder, who also had a strong showing against Inter Miami. Wooten, from the Outer Banks of North Carolina, impressed with his play on the opening goal for Crew against Inter Miami. He won the ball, showed great vision to pick out Mrowka at the top of the box to set up the chance. Wooten looks like a promising midfielder who should have plenty of college scouts asking about him after the MLS Next GA Qualifying event.
Abokye Bikyeombe, Real Salt Lake U17 – Bikyeombe is a prototypical defensive center midfielder. He had a standout performance against FC Cincinnati. He was in the right spots to protect the defensive line. He showed quick feet to work out of pressure. He has already appeared for Real Monarchs, which might suggest a future beside the college pathway.
Gershon Henry Gershon Henry D #26 Nation UT , Real Salt Lake U17 – Henry had a number of standout moments from the GA Qualifying event. The left-footed center back was key in the win over Nashville SC as he had the “assist” on the winning goal. Henry is a player with pedigree as he was a part of the US Youth National Team program for the past few years. The center defender would have his choice of schools if he decided to go that route.
Julian Banks, Minnesota United U17 – Banks kept up his hot streak in MLS Next with a few goals during the GA Qualifying event. Minnesota finished undefeated in the group. Banks is a center forward. There is a lot to like about his game. His movement around the box really impressed me. He has a natural feel for creating space before the cross so he can get a clean touch in tight spaces. His second goal against Rapids showed his quality on the ball as he dribbled past three before a finish from a close angle. Banks has big time qualities that should translate to the next level.
Kamden Held Kamden Held M Naperville Central | 2024 #98 Nation IL , Chicago Fire U17 – Chicago Fire’s U17 team was one of the youngest teams in that age group in the event, as the club featured a number of 07s. Held, one of the 06s, was counted on for his experience and smarts. The center midfielder delivered for his club. He was a key reason why the team went 2-0-1 at the event. He was in the right spots to influence the game. Held’s ability to breakup the rhythm of the opposition really stood out. He did the little things to stop the attack – either in bumping a player in possession or jumping into a passing lane. Held was excellent on the ball as well. He rarely lost possession and made it look easy – his performance against Vancouver Whitecaps is a perfect example of why he should be considered among the best midfielders in this class. Held was so good that Vancouver’s midfielder stopped trying against him because they couldn’t win the ball off his feet.
Marcus Lightbourne Marcus Lightbourne D CA , LA Galaxy U17 – Lightbourne is a familiar player on PrepSoccer after his breakout performance in the postseason with San Diego Surf. He has joined LA Galaxy for this season. The right back is one of the best outside backs in the country in the 2024 class. He is quick, technically sound, and fiercely determined. He’s a bright prospect for the position – and should be a top target for the next level.
Julian Placias Julian Placias F State CA , LA Galaxy U17 – Places is another forward in excellent form who looks ready to take a step up in level after the GA Qualifying event. He is a center target forward who is too much for academy defenders. He was unlucky not to score in every game as FC Dallas managed to keep him off the scoresheet from the three games. He is technically good, but his best attribute is his hunger to score. He is always looking to get into spots to score and LA Galaxy is playing off of that with the service. Placias is one to watch in 2023 as he looks to make the leap to the next level.
Elijah Brooks, Tormenta FC U17 – Brooks was one of my favorite players from the event. He is a two-way player who was fully committed to his team and ran his legs off against South Florida Football Academy. He was excellent on the ball and had a number of standout moments. He was also very good defensively. He has qualities to be a key contributor at the next level from the center midfield role.
Heiko Schultz, LA Surf U17 – Schultz scored the game-winner against Louisiana TDP as dozens of college coaches looked on at the featured game on Sunday morning. The midfielder had a fantastic event. He was a key part of an LA Surf team that went undefeated at the event. Leonardo Ibarra’s assist on Schultz’s goal was exquisite as well. He started the play with a cross-field pass, worked hard to get another touch on the ball, and then played a great ball into Schultz for the goal. Left back Bryson Solares and forward Alex Bethencourt were also standouts for LA Surf during the event.
Jackson Liley, Midwest United U17 – Liley really impressed with his work rate from the forward line for Midwest United. He was rewarded with a couple of goals during the event. Even when Liley wasn’t scoring, he was working for touches and was among the leaders in touches and passes from the forward line. He is skillful on the ball and has good vision. Liley should be on the radar among top forwards from Michigan in the 2024 class.
Adrian Yepez, Sacramento Republic U17 – Yepez scored two goals in the win over Real Jersey. The attacker was excellent in timing his runs and getting into the box to finish off chances. He scored one goal off a cross from left back Ermias Yohannes who was excellent as well.
Ethan Kelly, Sacramento Republic U17 – Kelly offered everything a team wants from a center forward. He held up the ball when needed, he turned to face goal when given space, and he created chances. Kelly had an excellent showing at the event.
Roberto Fernandez, Real Jersey FC U17 – Fernandez has been on the radar for a while, and he continues to impress on a big stage. He is skillful on the ball and can go against the top talent in the country and still make an impact. John McGough was a standout for Real Jersey too.