MLS Next Cup Playoffs: U-16 – Standout Midfielders

<!-- 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. These midfielders made their teams better with their strong and efficient play:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["10783"],"_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":"An U17 Haiti international, Bretous was one of the key players in Atlanta United's championship-winning campaign in Frisco. His range and efficiency in the midfield were invaluable to the team as he was able to make a major impact in the game from his defensive midfielder role. Bretous is very active and engaged defensively, using his physical tools and his ability to win balls to dismantle offensive plays from opponents. He's also a big part of the team's buildup, often dropping into pockets of space around the center backs to get on the ball and initiate plays. Bretous is very skilled on the ball, using both feet very well to pass and dribble, and is very hard to dispossess.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a44181d13f3"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":140386,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/IMG_7924.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-140386" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Atlanta United vs. Florida Rush</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["15928"],"_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":"Swann provided FC Dallas with a creative and consistent chance-creating presence in midfield. He fluctuates well in the attacking half to get on the ball and is the kind of player who can be dangerous from anywhere on the field with with his vision and passing ability. Swann can beat opponents off the dribble in tight spaces and move the ball upfield with some short, but intense runs, but is at his best when he has the space to connect passes. The midfielder has excellent vision and often plays one-touch passes, always finding teammates in good spots. He also makes runs off the ball into the penalty box to finish chances.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a44181d1460"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHW_F_RvFXA","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=wHW_F_RvFXA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["57942"],"_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":"Jerome brought an interesting mix of physical power and quality on the ball for PDA's midfield. Playing a box-to-box role with the team, he was very active on both sides of the ball and operated as a two-way hub for the team's game. His physicality and good defensive instincts help him make a strong defensive impact as he has great success in 50-50 balls and registers multiple tackles every match. Jerome is also skilled on the ball, supporting the team's buildup from the back and making good switches from a more advanced position. He also has an interesting presence inside the penalty box, pushing forward with or without the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a44181d14bf"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":140406,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/IMG_8029.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-140406" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">PDA vs. Chula Vista FC</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["54762"],"_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":"Cantafio stood out in a talented Strikers FC team for his electric and efficient play in the middle. Very smooth on the ball, he circulates everywhere in the attacking third and can also play on the wings. He's very complete and creative, being capable of creating plays with his dribbling or passing, and also of finishing chances inside the penalty box. Cantafio is also a very strong player from a mental standpoint as he not only makes good decisions with the ball, but also knows when to play aggressively or to recycle possession and try to hurt the opponent in a different way.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a44181d1513"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ9vNmEO_sk","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=QJ9vNmEO_sk </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["79458"],"_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":"Yanez was the most creative player in his Chula Vista FC team, displaying excellent skills on the ball and efficiency on the final third. A talented playmaker, he does a very good of finding good spots to get on the ball and is dangerous with his dribbling and passing, always finding good options to beat opponents and create chances. Yanez's finishing skills make of him an even more dangerous offensive player as, besides creating chances for his teammates, he can also create for himself and finish them.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a44181d157d"} /-->