MLS Next 2022 – 2023 U17 Best XI

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MLS Next Cup has completed and the MLS Next season has officially come to a close. LA Galaxy took home the U17 tournament trophy in a somewhat surprising conclusion to the season. After watching many MLS academy games throughout league play and tournament play throughout the year, here is my best eleven U17 players from the United States MLS Academies: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">GK, Julian Eyestone (FC Dallas)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eyestone had an excellent season as FC Dallas' U17 number one. He won the best goalkeeper award at the Generation Adidas Cup and was fantastic between the pipes all year long. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">LB, [player_tooltip player_id='8487' first='Peyton' last='Miller'] (New England Revolution)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller was one of the best players in all of MLS Next at the U17 and the Revs rewarded his play with a first team contract. Miller played both left-back and left-wing for the majority of the season — scoring six league goals — before being promoted to New England's second team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">RB, Owen Presthus (Columbus Crew)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Presthus moved from left-wing to right-back this year and it has worked out very well. Presthus has been a great chance creator from out wide for one of the highest performing U17 teams in MLS Next.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">CB, Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pierre was a force for one of the most dominant defenses and Generation Adidas Cup winners at the U17 level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">CB, [player_tooltip player_id='33276' first='Shakir' last='Nixon'] (LAFC)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nixon was a super utility defensive player for one of the best teams in all of MLS Next. He started the season at right-back and moved to center-back and did not skip a beat. He was one of the unsung heroes of the season in MLS Next.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">DM, [player_tooltip player_id='7520' first='Edwyn' last='Mendoza'] (San Jose Earthquakes)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mendoza was a rock in the midfield for San Jose all season contributing as both a ball winner and ball progressor from the number six position. Mendoza earned a first team contract through his great performances this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">CM, Jonny Shore (NYCFC)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shore was one of the most effective and attack minded midfielders in MLS Next at the U17 level. Shore had five goals in league play and added two goals at the Generation Adidas Cup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">AM, Christopher Aquino (Seattle Sounders)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aquino was one of the most important players for his team this year — the Sounders offense was heavily dependent on Aquino's performance all year long. Aquino ended the season with 10 league goals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">WING, Olger Escobar (New England Revolution)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Escobar was one of the most dynamic and effective attackers in MLS Next. He led the New England Revolution U17 team with 16 league goals and he also led the team in assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">WING, Jackson Delkus (St. Louis City)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Delkus was one of the top goal scoring wingers in MLS Next with 15 league goals and he was a consistent threat throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">CF, Adem Sipic (Nashville SC)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sipic led Nashville with 16 league goals and he scored them in bunches — he had three separate hat tricks this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->