MLS Next Cup Playoffs Day 1: U16 – Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next Cup Playoffs began this weekend in Frisco, Texas, reuniting the best MLS academies and boys club teams in the country for a nine-day, single-elimination tournament that will determine the season champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer was in attendance on Saturday, when the U16 and U15 teams played their Round 1 matches and took a good look at some of the most interesting prospects in American soccer in action at a critical moment of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/06/mls-next-cup-playoffs-day-1-u16-photo-gallery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Check out our U16 Photo Gallery</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These players had standout performances in the U16 matches we attended:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FC Dallas 6 - 1 Tampa Bay United</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["86671"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Witis-Hughes had a massive role in his team's comfortable victory, beginning the match on fire and helping FC Dallas get off to a strong start that set the tone for the rest of the game. Playing as an inverted winger on the right, the left-footed Witis-Hughes was very aggressive with the ball, always creating problems for Tampa Bay United's defenders. He would frequently beat his markers off the dribble, but also combined well with his teammates to create chances. His move bringing the ball inside to finish or pass with his left foot was nearly unstoppable and generated several opportunities for the Texans. He also displayed great quality in set pieces, with his team getting its second goal in the rebound of a free kick he took.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648e581859c4d"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1670067552658108419?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/grtorres/status/1670067552658108419?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Joshua Torquato","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"FC Dallas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Torquato was another one to have an excellent performance against Tampa Bay United. Playing as a left-back, he was outstanding defensively, winning the ball back with some impressive interceptions and tackles. He was matched with one of Tampa Bay United's main attacking players, winger Malike Campbell, and had no problems dealing with his pace and dribbling. Torquato was also very good in possession as he connected good passes and helped his team get away from pressure on some occasions. He was very intelligent when he decided to push forward, picking the right moments to do it and getting in the final third very quickly. Torquato also displayed good vision and accuracy with his passes and crosses son offense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648e581859cfc"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Atlanta United 1 - 0 Florida Rush</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["10783"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Much of Atlanta United's tight victory over Florida Rush was built in the midfield and Bretous had a lot to do with it. He was dominant in his defensive midfielder role, shutting down several offensive attempts from his opponents and covering a lot of ground. Bretous used his physicality to be a force in the middle and was also very important when his team was in possession. He was very intelligent with his movement off the ball, always offering a passing outlet to his center backs and was frequently able to push the ball forward when he had it. The defensive midfielder also proved to be very resourceful, turning to creative solutions and improvising when we was under pressure.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648e581859d63"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":140386,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/IMG_7924.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-140386" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Atlanta United vs. Florida Rush</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jackson Bent","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Melbourne","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Florida Rush","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Playing at left-back, Bent was one of the most effective players in his Florida Rush team. He didn't go forward that much, but was very reliable and efficient with his defensive duties, not allowing Atlanta United's winger Benjamin Barjolo to create many chances from his side. Brent used his physical tools very well in his defensive actions and also time his tackles extremely well, getting stops without making fouls. We also displayed very good tactical intelligence, tucking inside his own penalty box to help in the air when his team was being attacked from the opposite side.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648e581859df2"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":140388,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/IMG_7933.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-140388" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Atlanta United vs. Florida Rush</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strikers FC 2 - 1 Oakwood Soccer Club</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Aiden Hezarkhani","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Strikers FC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Playing on the right side of Strikers FC's offense, Hezarkhani was the main offensive force of the team as it fought back from a 1-0 deficit to turn the game against Oakwood Soccer Club around. A lefty, he played inverted and displayed great quality on the ball and a very complete game, combining with his teammates to make plays or looking for 1v1 situations against opposing defenders. Unlike most inverted wingers, Hezarkhani has no problems taking the ball to the end line, but was also very dangerous cutting it inside. He also showed excellent finishing skills and scored the game-winning goal in a beautiful free kick shot.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648e581859e82"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1670094439631532034?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/grtorres/status/1670094439631532034?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Evan Tubbs","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Tolland","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Oakwood Soccer Club","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Tubbs was the main reason why Oakwood Soccer Club was able to push a talented Strikers FC team to its limit, holding them for a huge portion of the match. The goalkeeper was under heavy pressure after his team scored first and responded very well. He was challenged in every possible way, seeing long and short distance shots, headers and crosses all go his way, and made several excellent saves that preserved his team's lead for a while. He also did a good job of wasting time and running the clock down when his team was ahead. There was absolutely nothing he could have done to avoid any of the two goals his team allowed.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648e581859f12"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1670093678914813954?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/grtorres/status/1670093678914813954?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chula Vista 1 (3) - (2) 1 PDA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["79458"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Yanez scored a critical equalizer with less than two minutes to be played and gave Chula Vista FC the opportunity of fighting for a spot in the next round in the PKs. In the play, he displayed great calm in front of the goal and superior finishing skills to beat PDA's talented goalkeeper Justin Appel. Before that, though, Yanez had already been very important for Chula Vista, playing a big role for them in midfield. As the team's most advanced playmaker, he connected well with the forwards and got the team out of pressure on several occasions with his great vision and passing.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648e581859f6a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["57942"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Playing as a central midfielder, Jerome was very active for PDA and dictated the team's intensity level during the match. Very strong physically, he won several 50-50 plays in the middle and covered a lot of ground to shield the team's backline. He was also very involved when the team had possession, connecting good passes in the middle and making some good switches to help PDA force Chula Vista to move around and find space to create chances. Jerome also made some good runs forward, including the one in which he scored the team's goal with a shot that deflected off of a defender.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648e581859fba"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":140406,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/IMG_8029.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-140406" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">PDA vs. Chula Vista FC</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->