MLS Next Cup Playoffs: U-16 – Standout Forwards

<!-- 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, we're running that list down, and this week we'll look at U-16s. Here are some of the top offensive players in the division:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Aiden Hezarkhani","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Strikers FC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Hezarkhani's stock was among the ones that rose the most in Frisco as the Strikers FC right winger made a really strong impression with his play. Playing on the right side of his team's attack, he was a constant threat to opponents, creating problems with his pace dribbling ability and excellent finishing. Hezarkhani used both feet well and was very difficult to defend because he could be dangerous taking the ball to the end line or bringing it inside to finish with his preferred left foot. He proved to be a very complete offensive player, who dribbles, passes and finishes at a high level and who also delivers consistently and under pressure.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a44bf27ece9"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1670094439631532034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1670094439631532034%7Ctwgr%5E87c8d05a9b585040199e9753aa1d3c11cf90f678%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10u0026amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fprepsoccer.com%2F2023%2F06%2Fmls-next-cup-playoffs-day-1-u16-top-performers%2F","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/grtorres/status/1670094439631532034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1670094439631532034%7Ctwgr%5E87c8d05a9b585040199e9753aa1d3c11cf90f678%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fprepsoccer.com%2F2023%2F06%2Fmls-next-cup-playoffs-day-1-u16-top-performers%2F </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["10979"],"_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 Most Valuable Player in a well-organized Atlanta United side, Ritarita was indeed instrumental to his team's victory, providing the offensive spark it needed to beat opponents. Playing as a left winger, he destroyed opponents with his pace and dribbling ability and played with the same level of intensity from start to finish. Ritarita is a very quick offensive player, but what makes him difficult to stop are his diverse skillset and his impressive confidence, which allows him to try unexpected moves when many others wouldn't. He was excellent all week and really stood out from competition.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a44bf27ed60"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct74oBQMiBQ/","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/Ct74oBQMiBQ/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["86671"],"_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 talented Witis-Hughes played a big role in FC Dallas' offense, supporting the team's attacking system in a variety of ways. A left-footed winger playing on the right, he had good moments exploring the flanks, but also brought the ball inside and even operated on the pockets around the penalty box with great efficiency. A player who can dribble, pass and finish at a high-level, Witis-Hughes causes constant problems to opponents because of his aggressive and relentless playing style. He's very strong technically, but also strong and fast and can match up with any defender.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a44bf27eddb"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miIJDbOJ4VQ","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miIJDbOJ4VQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["10158"],"_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":"Campbell was the main offensive piece in his Tampa Bay United team. An attacking player with good pace and dribbling skills, he can play wider or more centrally as he uses both feet really well to dribble and finish plays. He's very strong in 1v1 situations, beating opponents off the dribble, but can also combine with teammates in give-and-go plays. Campbell repeatedly tries to find ways to break opposing defenses down and he does a very good of adjusting his positioning to what the match requires from him.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/malike_campbellu0022u003eHighlightsu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a44bf27ee54"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["54729"],"_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":"Scordo was the focal point of Strikers FC offense and responded well, scoring goals and actively participating in his team's chance creation. Despite not being very tall or strong, he held his own against physical defenders and got on the end of long passes and crosses. Scordo circulated well in the attacking third, often dropping deep to make combination plays or moving wider to attack defenders in possession, but was at his best operating inside the penalty box, where his finishing instincts proved to be excellent. The striker is excellent at reading the game and placing himself in good spots to finish and doesn't need much to space to find a way to send the ball into the back of the net.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a44bf27eeaf"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mArWTWt_5A","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mArWTWt_5A </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->