MLS Next Cup Playoffs: U-17 – Standout Center Backs

<!-- 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 the U-17s. These center backs were very difficult to get by:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["17162"],"_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":"Papez stood out as the leader of D.C. United's backline and the fact that his team conceded only twice in three matches speaks a lot about his game. Although not very tall or physical, the center back plays with good imposition, winning most of the duels he's involved with, be it in the air or with his feet. Papez is also very talented and calm on the ball and most of the team's buildup starts at his feet. He's very efficient with his short passes, but often attempts long ones too, connecting them at a very good rate. Papez also plays a big leadership role with the team, pushing teammates up when they're trailing or under pressure.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64adc42c8ec1e"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl7R64Ou7yv/","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/Cl7R64Ou7yv/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["15264"],"_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":"Pierre formed a stellar center back duo with Philadelphia Union teammate Gavin Wetzel and the two helped the team secure clean sheets in their two matches - the team was knocked out in the penalty kick shootout. His size is the first thing that stands out as Pierre is capable of overpowering virtually anyone that comes his way, but he's more mobile and skilled on the ball than many would imagine. Pierre is very good with his positioning and his long legs allow him to quickly cover ground and make defensive stops. He's also an offensive weapon in set pieces with his size and aerial ability.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64adc42c8ec85"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq3D_S5uHfD/","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/Cq3D_S5uHfD/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["7017"],"_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":"Legaspi captained the LA Galaxy to the division title with a strong and reliable play on the back. His excellent positioning and impressive quickness helped him keep things under control on defense and gave his team the confidence to push forward. Although not very tall, Legaspi can handle his own against physical forwards, battling them for the ball and winning most of the duels. He also displayed great quality and calm on the ball, turning into a ball-playing center back when his team was in possession. He also plays an important leadership role with the team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64adc42c8ecdb"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs__OwDv-Cc/?hl=pt","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/Cs__OwDv-Cc/?hl=pt </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["59851"],"_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":"Nyandjo led Charlotte FC's defensive efforts, playing a prominent role in the center of the team's backline. He used his physical tools very well to make stops and was hard to beat in the air, because of his size, and in space, thanks to this pace. Nyandjo is very quick with his movement in the defensive penalty box and often comes out of nowhere to block shots and dispossess opponents while they prepare to finish. He's one of the team's vocal leaders and does an excellent job of keeping everyone engaged and focused with his words.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64adc42c8ed47"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":142988,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/IMG_8611.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-142988" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Noah De Blassis","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_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":"101","_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":"Toronto 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":"Even if his team Toronto FC conceded three goals when I watched him play against Charlotte FC, De Blassis still made a positive impression with his play. He was very good in the 1v1 duels he was involved, using his athleticism and good reading of the game to win the ball. He was in a tough spot as the opponents had a lot of space to attack with Toronto trailing, but did a good job with his defensive actions. A good passer and a player with the ability to push the ball forward, De Blassis spent some time in the midfield too, from where his good passing could be more useful.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64adc42c8ede9"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":142987,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/IMG_8593.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-142987" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->