MLS Next Cup Playoffs: U-15 – Standout Outside Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best MLS academies and boys club teams in the country were in Frisco, Texas, during nine days in June wrapping up their seasons with the MLS Next Cup Playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Champions were crowned in each division and several players stood out with excellent performances throughout the week while Prep Soccer watched the action very closely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was in attendance during the first weekend of play and watched as many Round of 32 matches as I could, picking several players to highlight. With the tournament now over, it's time we run that list down, starting with the U-15s. In today's article, I'll present some outside backs who excelled in their roles:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["83086"],"_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":"Vanney was excellent playing as a right back for the LA Galaxy. His positional awareness and excellent defensive instincts made of him a very difficult player to beat off the dribble and his tackles were always very precise and efficient. Vanney also gave a lot to his team when in possession, contributing in different ways. At times, he would come inside and join the defensive midfielders, helping the team maintain possession and circulate the ball. On other occasions, he would push forward down the flank and help LA Galaxy stretch the field. Vanney also made some very good late runs into the penalty box to finish chances.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649a17c9136ec"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq5-BNJvl5-/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq5-BNJvl5-/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["130926"],"_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":"Benjamin played as a right wingback in the Crew's system and took full advantage of the freedom he had to push forward and join the attack. A talented offensive player, he was one of the team's main offensive weapons, hurting opponents with his complete game. Very strong and fast, Benjamin is very difficult to stop in 1v1 situations because of his quick moves and his ability to either take the ball to the end line or bring it inside to finish. He also makes some very intelligent runs off the ball and is often fed with through balls inside the penalty box.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649a17c913757"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/Codw4OxOG4V/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/Codw4OxOG4V/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["11982"],"_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":"Ackerman played as a left back for the New England Revolution. A strong player on both sides of the ball, he was part of the team's backbone with his ability to contribute in multiple areas of the game. He was very solid defensively, using his good positioning to protect the penalty box and to push opponents away from it by putting pressure on them. Offensively, he proved to have great value by staying back and helping the team initiate its build up with accurate passes. A right-footed player, Ackerman was dangerous when he pushed forward because of his ability to bring the ball inside and finish or pass.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649a17c9137a1"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":141266,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/IMG_8260.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-141266" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["124227"],"_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":"Vargas had a right wingback role with the Seattle Sounders that maximized his offensive game. He was very aggressive in possession, getting on the ball and taking it upfield so he could challenge opposing defenders with his dribbling ability and his pace. Vargas displayed great endurance, running up and down the field during the entire time. He was also very solid defensively, covering his area of the field well and winning most of the disputes he was involved with.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649a17c9137e5"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":141265,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/IMG_8157.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-141265" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["83126"],"_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":"Outside back was a position of strength for the LA Galaxy as Hartley also emerged as one of the best I got to see in action during the day. Playing on the left, he was more defensive-minded than Vanney but was very good at it, using his big body and his excellent positioning to stop plays and win the ball back. Playing behind the talented Mathis Albert, he didn't push all the way to the end line so much, more often tucking inside and helping with his passing. Hartley was also very good in set pieces, sending some excellent crosses into the penalty box in dead-ball situations.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649a17c913828"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":140506,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/IMG_8204.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-140506" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">LA Galaxy vs. FC Delco</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->