MLS Next Winter Showcase/GA Best XI 

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next event wrapped up last week. PrepSoccer was on hand for some of the games from the Winter Showcase/GA Qualifying event. Throughout the past week, PrepSoccer has highlighted standouts from each grad class (2026 through 2023). Below is the Best XI from the event from in-person scouting and some video review.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepSoccer MLS Next Winter Showcase Best XI </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GK Liam Collins, FC Boston Bolts - Collins featured in the MLS Next Best of Game on Monday. He was in goal for the winning side. The only goal he let in came on a penalty kick as he did an excellent job in convincing the squad in front of him to defend during an All-Star game, which is no easy feat. He made the saves when called up and did well coming off his line to collect crosses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D Camron Estala, Michigan Jaguars - Estala is another standout from the Best of Game - and one of the aforementioned players who actually put in some defense during the game. Estala is a center back who was excellent in the tackle. Estala anchored his club's defense in a shutout against LA Surf during the last day of the event. Friedel Felipe Rada de Oliveira was a standout at outside back in the Best of Game. Leonard Miranda and Daniel Twumasi were also standouts in the midfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D Maximo Nystrom, Portland Timbers - Nystrom's first half performance against CF Montreal was close to perfect. He made the key plays defensively - blocks, tackles, interceptions - that limited Montreal to basically no threat in the final third. Then, he made great distribution decisions that helped open up the game for his side. He capped the half with a terrific goal on a header off of a free kick. Ian Shaul, Grayson Carter, and Keenan Van Pelt were also standouts for Timbers at this event.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D Kevin Duran, LA Surf - Duran started every game at center back for LA Surf during the event. LA Surf U17 went 2-0-1 from the three goals with only one goal conceded, which was off a penalty kick; all three games were close fixtures. Duran did well in his positioning with key interceptions. He was calm on the ball and helped his team see out the result. Heiko Schultz was also a standout for LA Surf.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D [player_tooltip player_id='48940' first='Michael' last='Roman'], Silicon Valley Soccer Academy - The center back from SVSA had a spectacular showing at the MLS Next Showcase. He led his team to a 3-0 record with two shutouts. Defending is a full team commitment and Roman gets this spot because he was the vocal leader for his side. He also led with his actions. He was smart in the tackle - and physical in challenges. Diego Nieves was also outstanding for SVSA.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M Jude Terry, Los Angeles FC - Terry is a rare talent. He is a player who is wise beyond his years on the field. He makes everything look simple because he plays with that sophistication. He showed his quality for LAFC during the event, as he controlled every game. His partnership with Liam Lambert was basically unbeatable.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M Tate McDonnell, Strikers FC - McDonnell was one of my favorites from the event - and it feels like only a matter of time before we hear about him playing at a higher level. He is a top, top prospect. He has the tools to be a great midfielder: technical on the ball, good decisions, and driven. McDonnell led the Strikers U15 team to a perfect 3-0 record from the Showcase event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M Anthony Sorto, Rise SC - Sorto had a solid outing in a defeat in the All-Star game. He pulled off a clean meg early in the contest, which set the tone for his flair throughout the opening half. He also converted the shot from the spot for the lone goal for his side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F David Garcia, Houston Dynamo - Garcia was incredibly productive during the GA qualifying event in Indio. The center forward scored a goal in each of Houston Dynamo U15's games. He drew a penalty kick and converted the chance against DC United in the final game. He showed off a good first touch and ball control against Seattle Sounders with his goal in that fixture. Garcia led a talented Dynamo side to the top of their group at the event.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F Kaelan Dougan, San Jose Earthquakes - The San Jose Earthquakes team website profiled Dougan four years ago - he was a 10-year-old, at the time, playing up with the club's U12 team. He scored eight goals in the first seven games of the season. Dougan is playing against his age group now. He is still a winger and he is still scoring a ton of goals. There is plenty of reason to believe he has endless potential. His dynamic pace and close control of the ball make him a difficult mark on the wing. He showed that during the GA qualifying event. He scored a couple of terrific goals at the event, and should be a top player to watch from the 08 age group in 2023.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F Diego Colon, BW Gottschee - Colon had a hat trick on the final day of the event for his age group. The hat trick sealed a perfect record at the event for his BW Gottschee Academy U16 team. He is a constant threat in the game. He is always looking to go forward, which forces defenders to back off of him for fear of getting into a footrace with him that they will lose. Colon is best as a support striker so he can face goal and play combinations off a teammate. He could be a winger in the right system as well. He's one of the best finishers in his age group in MLS Next. Sebastian Valdes and Brandon Loyola are two midfielders to watch from this team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F Wyatt Ponting/Daniel Gonzalez/Kennth Solares, LAUFA - The attacking trio for LAUFA combined to score 12 of the team's 14 goals during the three games in Indio. Wyatt Ponting is the center forward. He was excellent at playing off the shoulder of the final defender. He is a good finisher with either foot. Daniel Gonzalez is the right winger. He showed his quality against KSA with a hat trick. Kenneth Solares is the left winger who likes to cut in onto his right foot. He was the playmaker for a lot of chances - and scored a few on his own as well. Max Kreuzriegler had an outstanding showing as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->