Who are the top players for Chicago Fire U-15s?

The 2008 class looks like it will be a strong one for Chicago. They have three national team level players, one of which plays up with the U-17s and the other two have performed well for the U-15 team. There are a couple of players that didn't make this list, but have the potential to enter Tier 3 in the next year or so.   My grading system   I use a numerical scoring framework to grade players. I look at what I consider to be the most important traits and skills for each position and apply a numerical value to each of those categories. I take into account the age of the player when grading for each category. The categories include physical traits, technical ability, intellectual understanding of the game and their mentality in how they approach the game. I average those individual scores in order to generate a holistic grade of the player. The score helps me identify what tier of prospect a player is.   Tier 1: A high impact player with all the tools to be a first choice youth national team selection and an obvious homegrown contract candidate.   Tier 2: A very good youth prospect that should likely get youth national team consideration and a potential homegrown contract candidate.   Tier 3: A solid youth prospect that should get a look in MLS Next Pro or is likely getting recruited to play high level college soccer.   CM, [player_tooltip player_id='104164' first='Oscar' last='Pineda'] (2008)   What makes him special: Pineda is one of the most underrated players in the 2008 class and is one of the most refined players on the ball in this entire class. He has a classy first touch that allows him to receive the ball in tight spaces and often times eliminate defenders. He is also very tidy on the dribble and can retain possession at pace and in tight spaces. His passing is another big time strength. He is very accurate with good instincts and imagination.   How he can take it to the next level: Pineda has the talent to be more dominant consistently and I'd like to see him be more of a ball winner as a box to box midfielder.   Level: Tier 2   Pineda has not been invited to a U.S. U-15 team camp and I think he is one of the most talented players in this class that has not been given a look. I hope he gets an opportunity soon because I think he was one of the top three central midfielders in this class.   RB, [player_tooltip player_id='104165' first='Kruz' last='Held'] (2008)   What makes him special: Held is an explosive player that uses space very well to take advantage of his elite speed. Held plays with a great mentality to attack relentlessly, using good ball manipulation in one on one situations. He can beat defenders to create his own shot or to send in well struck crosses — he has a very lively right foot.   How he can take it to the next level: Held gets up the field quite often, but I have not seen him tested in one on one defensive situations too much. As a full-back, that will be a key aspect of his game and I need to see him perform against talented wingers. I'd also like to see Held become more comfortable cutting in on his left foot. Right now he is pretty predictable in trying to be beat his defender to the end line.   Level: Tier 2   Held is one of the top right-backs in the 2008 class and has been involved in a couple of U.S. U-15 camps. He is one of a few players that will by competing for a spot on the youth national team.   DM/CM, [player_tooltip player_id='104167' first='Liam' last='Healey'] (2008)   What makes him special: Healey is a decisive and instinctive midfielder that does a great job combining with teammates and spotting passing lanes quickly. Headley has good ball control and a strong frame which makes it difficult to take the ball off of him.   How he can take it to the next level: Healey's physical profile suggests he is more of a defensive-midfielder long-term, but his current game profiles more like a number eight. I'd like to see Headley play with a little more bite defensively and in duels.   Level: Tier 3   Word is that Healey is very well thought of within the Fire organization, so he may be a player they look to aggressively move through their development pathway.   WING/CF, [player_tooltip player_id='105777' first='Aaron' last='Ineh'] (2008)   What makes him special: Ineh is a strong and explosive attacker that can play on the wing and as a single striker. He provides good verticality by getting behind defensive lines and driving at defenders with pace.   How he can take it to the next level: Ineh lacks a little nuance and imagination in his game and relies on his physical traits too much. That will get him far at this level, but he will need to add more to his game to continue to produce as he rises up the ranks.   Level: Tier 3

The 2008 class looks like it will be a strong one for Chicago. They have three national team level players, one of which plays up with the U-17s and the other two have performed well for the U-15 team. There are a couple of players that didn't make this list, but have the potential to enter Tier 3 in the next year or so.