Who are the top players for the Columbus Crew U-17s?

Columbus is starting to tout one of the best Academy programs in MLS Next and this 2006 born group is the best class they have had to date. This U17 team is one of the best in the country as evidence by their semi-final run at the Generation Adidas Cup. I have seven players with a tier 3 grade or higher, which is pretty incredible. They are carried by a strong 2006 group, but also have a couple of 2007 players to keep an eye on. The depth of the group is impressive, but it does look a true blue-chip prospect. Only one player has been a consistent Youth National Team selection, though there are a couple of others that could be knocking on the door.   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.   AM, Cole Mrowka (2006)   What kind of player is he? Mrowka is my favorite player to watch on this team because of his skill and creativity with the ball at his feet. Mrowka isn't the most physically gifted player, he is a little undersized and he isn't the most explosive athlete, but he still finds ways to beat defenders because of his ability to read defensive posture and the imagination he has with the ball. His touch and ball control rival any player in this class. He also has good vision and can execute a wide array of passes. He can also be a threat to score with good technique and power as a striker. Mrowka can go quiet in games which I attribute to his work rate off the ball. That is a distinct area I would like to see improved. Overall, I worry that his physical limitations may stunt him at the professional level, but I love his technical ability.   Level: Tier 2   AM/CM, [player_tooltip player_id='14709' first='Taha' last='Habroune'] (2006)   What kind of player is he? Habroune is an emerging playing for Columbus that has taken some big steps forward this year. He is the only U17 eligible player for the Crew that has regularly been called up to their U19 level for a lot of the season. Habroune is a tall player that is still growing into his body. If he can become a little bit more fluid and comfortable in his frame, Habroune has a pretty good ceiling. He grades really well in all categories concerning skill on the ball. His first touch and half turn is clean, he controls the ball well and he is a very good passer. His decision making on the ball is an area that I would like to see him improve. He turns the ball over more than a player with his skill should, part of that is the need to add more body mass and strength. One of my favorite aspects of his game is his ability to find the ball, his movement and his instincts to crash the box at the right time.   Level: Tier 2   Habroune has become a United States U17 regular over the last 6 months or so, playing primarily as a box to box midfielder. He was one of the better performers at the Concacaf tournament and is on track to make the U17 World Cup team.   RB, [player_tooltip player_id='14670' first='Owen' last='Presthus'] (2006)   What kind of player is he? Presthus is a player I have been high on for a long time that is recently starting to get more buzz. Presthus moved from left-wing to right-back this year and by all accounts this has been a positive transition for him. The primary advantage to this switch is that it has amplified his elite passing ability by giving him more of the field to survey and deliver. Presthus has an average physical profile for a right-back and his athleticism and size don't seem to impact his ability to defend one on one or beat players one on one, but I am monitoring that space to see how effective he is in one on one situations against more mature players. Presthus' big area of improvement for the last couple of years has been decision making and focus on the ball. I've seen improvement here, but he still has too many head scratching plays that are frustrating to see.   Level: Tier 2   Presthus is a player that is deserving of a Youth National Team look. The right-back depth chart for the U17 team is lean and I think he could be a player that raises the floor of that group.   GK, [player_tooltip player_id='47350' first='Stanislav' last='Lapkes'] (2006)   What kind of player is he? Lapkes is an emerging goalkeeping prospect that is already getting time with Columbus Crew 2 in MLS Next Pro. Lapkes has been one of the best keepers in MLS Next for the last two years. He is a fantastic shot-stopper and with great reactions and quickness out of his stance. Lapkes also controls the box with confidence and decisiveness. Lapkes can improve as a distributor and be a more reliable outlet to his backline.   Level: Tier 3, Tier 2 Upside   WING, [player_tooltip player_id='17106' first='Brent' last='Adu-Gyamfi'] (2006)   What kind of player is he? Adu-Gyamfi is a speedy is winger that makes smart vertical runs and takes positive first touches. He is an aggressive player that is very attack minded, taking players on, one on one. Adu-Gyamfi is a little inconsistent with his decision making on the ball and his control could tighten up at times.   Level: Tier 3   LB, [player_tooltip player_id='95899' first='Tristan' last='Brown'] (2007)   What kind of player is he? Brown is Columbus' top 2007 player and the 2007 born player that plays the most for the U17s. Brown has a very well rounded and mature game, but lacks elite characteristics. He makes intelligent runs and makes himself available as a connection point and outlet for center-backs midfielders and attackers. I also really like Brown's on ball defensive ability. I would like to see Brown become a little bit more aggressive on the ball and look to be more impactful in the build up and in the final third.   Level: Tier 3   WING, [player_tooltip player_id='14496' first='Aaron' last='Hurge'] (2007)   What kind of player is he? Hurge is not a locked-in starter, but he has been effective. I like Hurge's technical ability. He has good dribbling technique, touch and is a good passer. He also moves well off the ball. Hurge is a little too passive as an attacker. As he gains more confidence at the U17 level, I'd like to see him be more brave and aggressive.   Level: Tier 3

Columbus is starting to tout one of the best Academy programs in MLS Next and this 2006 born group is the best class they have had to date. This U17 team is one of the best in the country as evidence by their semi-final run at the Generation Adidas Cup. I have seven players with a tier 3 grade or higher, which is pretty incredible. They are carried by a strong 2006 group, but also have a couple of 2007 players to keep an eye on. The depth of the group is impressive, but it does look a true blue-chip prospect. Only one player has been a consistent Youth National Team selection, though there are a couple of others that could be knocking on the door.