Who are the top players for Minnesota United U-17s?

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Minnesota United U17s are one of the weaker MLS teams in MLS Next, but they do have some players that standout and may have a professional career. The 2006 class does not look to have any first team or second team candidates — none have been given an opportunity with their MLS Next Pro side to date. The 2007 has a diamond in the rough in [player_tooltip player_id='59863' first='Alisa' last='Randall'] and he could develop into an academy graduate for Minnesota, the first in some time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">My grading system</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier 1</strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>High impact Youth National Team Player, often times playing up an age group</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>High impact club player, often times plays up an age group and still heavily impacts games</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On the fast track to the first team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier 2:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Depending on strength of the age group, likely Youth National Team pool or core player</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>High impact player within his age group</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Potential future first team player</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier 3:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On the outside looking in to the Youth National Team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Consistently one of the more impactful players on his club team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On track for a look in MLS Next Pro, USL or NCAA soccer</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Possesses some high level skills or traits, but also holes in his game</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">DM, [player_tooltip player_id='51966' first='Justin' last='Arias'] (2006)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arias caught my eye at the 2022 Generation Adidas Cup when Minnesota played Manchester United. Minnesota was completely overwhelmed, but Arias was the one player that looked up for the challenge. He was winning balls and progressing the ball forward with good ball control and vision. Arias may not have the physical profile that projects to the MLS, but his soccer brain and technical ability should lead him to a professional career at some level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> Low 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">CF, Noah Banks (2006)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Banks is a lengthy and vertical striker that does the most damage in transition. Banks' movement is advanced and he uses his long stride to get behind the backline. Banks is the leading scorer for the U17 team and consistently gets in dangerous positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> Low 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">CM, [player_tooltip player_id='59863' first='Alisa' last='Randall'] (2007)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Randall is one of the most under appreciated players in the 2007 class and if he takes a decent jump next season, who could be a player that U.S. Soccer takes a look at. I love his versatility. I have seen him play as a RB, 6, 8 and wing for Minnesota. I see him as an 8 long-term. I love his athletic ability, flashes of high level ball control and passing range. He also displays great movement. If he can become more consistent I think he could have first team potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> High 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">WING, [player_tooltip player_id='59864' first='Bryan' last='Espadero'] (2007)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Espadero is a quick and creative attacker that can play out wide and as a 10. Espadero has good dribbling ability, passing technique and creativity in tight areas. His physical profile might limit his ceiling, but he has been a very effective player for Minnesota U17s and will likely be one of the better attackers in MLS Next, next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> Low 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->