Twelve 2025s who impressed at MLS Next Winterfest

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>INDIO, California - The MLS Next Winter Showcase event concluded this week from the Empire Polo Field in Southern California. The event featured some of the top talent in the U13 through U19 age groups. PrepSoccer was on hand over the weekend for the games. Below are the players from the 2025 class that stood out from the action. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='58812' first='Chase' last='Miller'], Midwest United - Miller had an outstanding event for Midwest United. The Michigan midfielder really announced himself as a player to watch from this class. He was very productive in front of the goal with a tally in every game he played, I believe. Miller is a two-way player who did well in getting to the right spots at the right time. He also provided some key passes from the midfield as a playmaker for Midwest United. He is right-footed, good on the ball, and strong in the tackle.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jayden Quezada, Chicago Fire - The outside back for Chicago Fire's U17 team was one of the standouts of the week. Quezada was excellent on both sides of the ball and a major reason why Fire finished top of their group during the GA Qualifying event.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Logan Hall, South Florida Football Academy - The winger for South Florida FA was always a threat down the right side. With pace and power, Hall was a focal point of the SFFA attack. He was unlucky not to score against Tormenta on Sunday, but he should the quality that will make him a top prospect from the 2025 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benjamin Cook, Michigan Wolves - Cook is another talented winger who had a good showing at the event. He is excellent on the counter. He ran into the right lanes and kept the spacing so the opposition had a difficult time stopping Wolves. Cook was a bright spot for the team against Atletico Santa Rosa and Springfield. Midfielder Tyson McCoy also impressed from the Wolves U16 team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conley Onyeador, Springfield SYC Soccer - Onyeador scored some impressive goals during the event in Indio. He is a target forward who has good instincts around the goal. He used his intelligence to get into spots for the final touch. His goal against Michigan Wolves was a perfect example of his quality. He beat the defender to the near post cross and powered the ball into the upper corner of the net for an unstoppable shot.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":68621,"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/8/2022/12/RhysCotton-IG-3.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-68621" width="512" height="341" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rhys Cotton, Southern Soccer Academy</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rhys Cotton, Southern Soccer Academy - Cotton is a dual-sport athlete who stood out from the event in Indio. He is a forward who scored in two of the three games. He is a dynamic athlete who took over the game with ease. He was a hungry finisher and always had eyes on scoring another goal. He did well in capitalizing on mistakes. His quick burst made defenders nervous and then his pace made him impossible to catch. Cotton should be on the radar for most scouts as he has a ton of untapped potential on the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Angel Luevano, SC Wave - Luevano was a standout in the attacking midfield role for SC Wave. He is slippery on the ball and the opposition had a hard time keeping him contained. He made some excellent passes and created chances for his team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='56087' first='Blake' last='Bayless'], Solar - Bayless was a standout during the MLS Next Showcase. The tall center back from Solar was an asset on both sides of the field. He was a target on set pieces in the attack, as he won aerial duels and scored goals. He helped the Solar defense to two wins and a shutout. [player_tooltip player_id='61863' first='Hudson' last='Sullivan'], his center back partner, was also a standout for Solar.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='54762' first='Dylan' last='Cantafio'], Strikers - There were plenty of worthy candidates from the talented Strikers team. Cantafio had the biggest impact in the game against Solar. He was influential in the midfield. His pressing generated chances for his side. He was also excellent in creating chances with his passing. [player_tooltip player_id='54729' first='Maxim' last='Scordo'] and Cole Harris were also standouts for Strikers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='270896' first='Ryan' last='Dugan'], St. Louis City SC - Dugan led the St. Louis City U16 attack the event. The forward was very good in the final third against Solar. He had a goal and an assist in the opening half. He is clever with his movement and has good footwork in tight spaces. He is a player to put on the radar for 2025.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colton Garofalo, St. Louis City SC - Garofalo and [player_tooltip player_id='59881' first='John' last='DiMaria'] were standouts in the midfield for St. Louis City. Garofalo was the defensive midfielder who made two key interceptions in the first half against Solar. [player_tooltip player_id='59881' first='John' last='DiMaria'] was excellent on the pass and also grabbed a goal for himself. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='7144' first='Blake' last='Willey'], Sacramento Republic - Willey was outstanding for Sacramento Republic. The player has already announced himself on the international stage as the lone representative from a non-MLS academy in the U17 MNT picture. He continues to prove his quality in a big way. He is smooth on the ball and quick in thought. He has a big time future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->