Who are the top players for LA Galaxy U-17s?
The LA Galaxy U17 group is solid, but not exceptional. The 2006 class lacks depth, but they might have an Academy graduate in Paulo Rudisill Paulo Rudisill M State CA . He is playing pretty consistently for the second team…
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Continue ReadingThe LA Galaxy U17 group is solid, but not exceptional. The 2006 class lacks depth, but they might have an Academy graduate in Paulo Rudisill Paulo Rudisill M State CA . He is playing pretty consistently for the second team and looks to be on track for an eventual pro deal. He is a regular for the U.S. U17 team. The 2007 class has a little more depth and the organization clearly likes Ruban Ramos Jr who is also getting MLS Next Pro minutes at a young age. He is the only 2007 getting Next Pro opportunities. The 2007 also boasts two other players that could become Academy graduates.
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:
- High impact Youth National Team Player, often times playing up an age group
- High impact club player, often times plays up an age group and still heavily impacts games
- On the fast track to the first team
Tier 2:
- Depending on strength of the age group, likely Youth National Team pool or core player
- High impact player within his age group
- Potential future first team player
Tier 3:
- On the outside looking in to the Youth National Team
- Consistently one of the more impactful players on his club team
- On track for a look in MLS Next Pro, USL or NCAA soccer
- Possesses some high level skills or traits, but also holes in his game
AM, Paulo Rudisill Paulo Rudisill M State CA (2006)
What kind of player is he?
Rudisill is a clever and creative playmaker with a lot of versatility. Rudisill has a modest physical profile, so he relies on intelligence and instincts to win. Rudisill has a good first touch, quick feet and decent ball control. On the ball he plays with tempo and displays good vision and passing ability. Rudisill shows good technique with both feet and is adept at well placed crosses. I have seen Rudisill play as a full-back, box to box midfielder, attacking midfielder and winger which shows is intelligence and versatility. Rudisill isn’t the most dominant defender, but he does display good work ethic.
Tier: Low 2
CF/WING, Ruben Ramos (2007)
What kind of player is he?
Ramos is a player that does a lot of things well, but is kind of stuck between positions. He doesn’t have the explosiveness/quick profile that you want from a winger and he doesn’t have the prototypical size of a striker, but he plays both pretty well right now. He sets himself up well with consistently clean first touches. Oftentimes his first touch eliminates the first defender. On the ball he has good control, vision and passing ability and he also strikes the ball with good technique. His decision making comes and goes, but he does move into dangerous positions with pretty good timing.
Tier: Low 2
RB/WING, Harbor Miller Harbor Miller F State #34 Nation CA (2007)
What kind of player is he?
Miller plays both right-wing and right-back, but is playing more right-back this year and I think that is where he has more potential long-term. As right-back I think he is a top five player in his age group. Miller’s move impressive skill is his passing range and technique. At right-back, he has more space in front of him and it allows him to spray the ball around to different areas. He identifies passing lanes well and making more good decisions than bad ones. He also shows good discipline when defending one on one which is why I think he has a decent future at the position.
Tier: Low 2, High 3
RCB, Jose Magana (2007)
What kind of player is he?
Magana is not a super imposing or physically gifted center-back, but he is very good on the ball both with his ball control and his passing accuracy. He is a reliable distributor from the backline. Defensively, he is solid and reliable and makes very few noticeable errors.
Tier: Low 3