Who are the top players for LAFC U-15s?

The LAFC 2008/U15 class is another really good class and one of the most dominant in the country from a pure results standpoint. Academies are more about player development than results, and well, they are doing a pretty good job at that too. Their best 2008 player, Decarlo Guerra, plays exclusively with the U17 team and their second best 2008 player, Jude Terry Jude Terry M #4 Nation CA , throttles between both teams. Both Terry and Guerra are top 10 players in this class and consistent Youth National Team call-ups. This team also boasts my top left-back prospect in the 2008 class and another Youth National Team mainstay in Liam Lambert Liam Lambert M State #17 Nation CA . There is talent up and down the lineup, which is why it is one of the best in the country.

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

DM/CM, Jude Terry Jude Terry M #4 Nation CA (2008)

What kind of player is he?

Terry is one of the top midfielders and top overall players in the 2008 class. He has split his time between LAFC U15 and U17 this year and I know the organization is very high on him. Terry can play both defensive-mid and center-mid. He had an excellent physical profile with good length, core strength and athleticism. Technically, he has quick and soft feet, showing good control, technique, touch and an ability to maneuver in tight spaces.. As a creator, he shows good technique as a passer, but can be a little too safe given his skillset. When he is playing as more of a center-mid, he can tend to play that role too much like a defensive-mid. I’d like to see him arrive more in the final third and his finishing could use a little work. Defensively, Terry is very good. He is excellent in duels and he has great pitch control. He shows good anticipation off the ball as well.

Tier: Low 1

LB, Pedro Guimaraes Pedro Guimaraes D State #29 Nation CA (2008)

What kind of player is he?

Guimaraes is my top rated left-back in the 2008 class. He is a very smart and instinctual player with a frame that project to a very good physical profile in the future. Right now he is tall and a little uncoordinated, but I think that will change as he grows into his body. Guimaraes is above average technically. His best on ball skill is his passing — he has good technique and range. Guimaraes thrives in give and go situations because he is accurate with his one touch passing and moves really well after passing it — he plays with great tempo. His biggest growth opportunity is in his one on one defense. He struggles a little bit to stay in front of quick and technical dribblers and I think a big part of that is him still getting comfortable in his body.

Tier: Low 2

RCB, Adrian Sanders Adrian Sanders D CA (2008)

What kind of player is he?

Sanders is another good center-back in what is looking like a very deep 2008 class. Sander’s ceiling is likely going to be determined by how he develops physically. He has a somewhat average physical profile right now, with pretty good mobility. He has good qualities on the ball as well, with good ball control, a willingness to take space and good passing technique with both feet. Defensively he is highly reliable and consistent. He stays in front of dribblers well and is very good in both ground and aerial duels. His positioning and anticipation are also strengths.

Tier: Low 2

CM, Liam Lambert Liam Lambert M State #17 Nation CA (2008)

What kind of player is he?

Lambert has been a consistent selection to the U.S. U15 Youth National Team and is one of the most clever midfielders in the 2008 class. Lambert has short-area quickness and to go along with really quick feet which makes him difficult to get the ball off of in tight spaces — a very important skill for a midfielder. He sets himself up for success before he receives the ball through good body positioning and often times eliminates the immediate defender with a great first touch. Lambert is also good at finding players in pockets of space. He needs to become more of a factor defensively. He doesn’t do a lot of ball winning at the moment.

Tier: High 3

RCB, David Soto David Soto D CA (2008)

What kind of player is he?

Soto starts alongside Sanders and may have the higher ceiling of the two. He is a little bit bigger and a little more fluid athletically and he also has pretty good ball playing skills, though he isn’t as refined defensively as Sanders, but that should come with time. Soto makes clever and confidence decisions on the ball and does a great job tracking dangerous runs.

Tier: 3

RB, Ramiro Velazquez Ramiro Velazquez D CA (2008)

What kind of player is he?

Valazquez is an interesting player because his most impressive skill is his creativity in tight spaces. He shows unique ideas in how to pass or dribble out of congestion. He often does not impact the game as much I’d like, but there are these little flashes that indicate that there might be something special here. Physically, he is pretty average and he shows an ability to get a good cross in.

Tier: Low 3

GK, Ethan Scally Ethan Scally GK State #87 Nation CA (2008)

What kind of player is he?

Scally is a big and strong keeper for his age and also possesses strong hands. He shows quick and smooth feet which results in good lateral movement from goal post to goal post. The LAFC U15 team is pretty dominant, so it is hard to get a lot of data on how Scally is under pressure or how good of shot blocker he is.

Tier: Low 3