Top Goalkeepers and Defenders at MLS Next Cup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next Cup has wrapped up this past weekend with Champions crowned in all 4 divisions. Players battled blazing heat and humidity but still managed to showcase their skill. Prep Soccer was watching the entire week and here are the players who stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Goalkeepers:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["7905"],"_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":"The Quakes Academy goalkeeper showed off his shot-stopping ability for the Quakes as they advanced to the semi-finals. His standout moment came in a penalty shoot-out against Barca Academy where he made multiple impressive saves flashing athleticism between the sticks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["100088"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Stokes who already has signed a professional contract showed why the Red Bulls believe in him throughout the week. Stokes didn't face a ton of shots, though his penalty save against Seattle impressed, but he shined on multiple fronts. He showed an ability to play the sweeper keeper role Red Bull likes from their goalkeepers. He showed poise coming off his line and using his feet and his head to control and clear goals that got in behind. Stokes also was a strong communicator. He understood where his players should be and was clear and loud in his instruction an impressive element for a young goalkeeper to possess. He also was able to use that to command his box where when he called for the ball he always got it with little interference from his teammates. Finally, his distribution is at an advanced level. He accurately hits his man on long balls and is calm and cool when the ball is played back to him.rnrn[embed]https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtuYpAspZSt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==[/embed]","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649a487e1d470"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defenders:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["45594"],"_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":"A day 2 standout he continued to perform as PDA made a run into the quarterfinals losing to eventual champions New England Revolution in controversial fashion. Excluding the 90th minute PK on a foul that looked outside the box to many Collins led a PDA U-19 defense that only gave up 1 goal a game against top teams like the Revs and De Anza Force. Headed to Rutgers next season he should fit well into their possession style and has the size and athleticism to compete against Big Ten forwards.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["9058"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Real Colorado U-17 got to the final and was powered by a strong defense. [player_tooltip player_id='9058' first='Grant' last='Lund'], a CB committed to the University of Denver, was one of the standouts. Lund was strong in the air and put out fires on the backline. He captained the side and was a vocal leader commanding the line and keeping the entire team organized.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["70495"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"A first-year U-17 the class of 25 defender was the other half with [player_tooltip player_id='9058' first='Grant' last='Lund'] of a strong CB pair for Real Colorado U-17's. Harzbecker was an all-around solid defender. What impressed the most was how even-keeled he was he never let the moment get to him. This showed up in the Penalty shoot out win over St Louis FC. Harzbecker stepped up and nailed his penalty early in the shootout.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='145436' first='Alex' last='Gomez']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"New York Red Bulls","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Playing every minute of the tournament the 14-year-old playing an age group up was a massive part of the Red Bulls championship run. Consistently Gomez was in the right spots to cut out attacks and win the ball back. Put into positions to defend going towards his own goal and in space due to the nature of the Red Bulls pressing system he never looked pressured. Consistently he won the ball and found his teammate turning pressing attackers or finding the feet of his keeper. Gomez used his athleticism to win balls in the air and was not afraid to throw his body around. As he continues to develop physically he should become stronger in the air as his instincts are correct. Gomez is a top 2009 CB prospect and should be in the Youth National team conversation.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649a487e1d5df"} /-->