Top 5 U.S. Performers at International Dream Cup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The United States U16 team played in a tournament in Japan last week against Japan, Netherlands and Nigeria and came away with two wins and a loss. The U.S. team beat both Japan and Nigeria by a score of 2-1 and lost to Netherlands 3-0. The team featured 21 players, 20 of which are from domestic academies within MLS Next. The roster included: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Goalkeepers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='43871' first='Zackory' last='Campagnolo'] (Orlando City), [player_tooltip player_id='11240' first='Patrick' last='Los'] (Chicago Fire)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Full-Backs</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB Christian McFarlane (NYCFC), RB Drew Baiera (NYCFC), RB Jeremiah White (Philadelphia Union), RB&nbsp;Josh Santiago (LAFC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Center-Backs</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union), Davi Alexandre (RBNY), Nicholas Almeida (IMCF)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive / Center-Mids</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ervin Torres Jr (Austin FC), Stiven Jimenez (FC&nbsp;Cincinnati), Adyn Torres (Atlanta United), Jonny&nbsp;Shore (NYCFC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Attacking-Mids / Wingers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maximo Carrizo (NYCFC), Axel Perez (Lyon), Santiago Morales (IMCF), Bryce Outman (FC&nbsp;Dallas), Nimfasha Berchimas (Charlotte FC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Center-Forwards</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sean Petrie (Barca AZ), Noah Santos (Portland Timbers)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 5 Performers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">CM, Adyn Torres, Atlanta United (2007)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Torres was the primary ball winner in midfield and most progressive midfielder when it came to breaking pressure and breaking lines with his passes. Defensively he was fantastic in duels and showed great energy in toughness. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">WING, Nimfasha Berchimas, Charlotte FC (2008)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berchimas was the most dangerous player for the United States when it came to beating defenders off of the dribble, creating numerical advantages and finding players in good positions to score. He also found himself in good scoring situations, but failed to put the ball into the back of the net. Berchimas, one of two 2008 players on the squad, continues to look like the most dangerous winger for this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">CB, Nicholas Almeida, Inter Miami (2007)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Almeida was the most effective distributor and defender in position during the tournament. His defense was not always perfect, but he was by far the most composed on the ball. He was the most comfortable breaking pressure with the ball at his feet and the most progressive when it came to passing through pressure and finding players in dangerous, open space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">AM, Santiago Morales, Inter Miami (2007)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morales was leading goal scorer for the United States in the tournament with two goals. Morales continuously found himself in dangerous spots in the final third and showed great composure and focus when taking his chances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">AM, Axel Perez, Lyon (2007)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perez was one of the most dangerous and creative attackers for the United States and almost had a golazo against Netherlands. He showed good vision, passing technique and an ability to get dangerous shots off in crowded areas. Perez plays is a former Inter Miami academy player that now plays in France for Lyon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->