MLS Next Cup Playoffs: U-17 – Standout Goalkeepers

<!-- 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 goalkeepers had solid displays in the event:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["17361"],"_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":"Peacock was a big part of a strong D.C. United defense that only allowed two goals in three matches in Frisco. He's very tall and long and those qualities help him tremendously, both when it comes to making saves between the posts and dominating the penalty area in corner kicks and crosses in general. Peacock is always well-positioned and had good reflexes and the length to get to any balls around him. He's excellent at taking up space from attackers in 1v1 situations and is calm and efficient with his distribution.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64aa0dcadc95c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/DCUyouth/status/1543680820313194496?s=20","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/DCUyouth/status/1543680820313194496?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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":"Lucca Adams","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_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":"LA Galaxy","_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":"Adams was the starting goalkeeper of division winners LA Galaxy and made huge contributions to the team's victory in Frisco. Awarded as the best player in the position, the tall and athletic goalkeeper had clean sheets in two matches, conceding five goals in as many matches, and helped the team win a penalty shootout against the Philadelphia Union. Adams combines size and athleticism with an excellent reading of the game, which allows him to anticipate plays and be one step ahead of everyone else. He's extremely reliable with his actions and transmits great confidence to the entire team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64aa0dcadca11"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/CuA4hN3vkAZ/","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/CuA4hN3vkAZ/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["15063"],"_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":"Rick's team Philadelphia Union was knocked out by eventual champions LA Galaxy in the Round of 16, but it wasn't his fault as the goalkeeper had clean sheets on both matches before they fell in the PKs. Rick was strongly protected by the team's center back duo of Neil Pierre and Gavin Wetzel and much of their efficiency came from how well they communicated. Rick is very focused on the field and was never caught off guard, always reacting well to whatever challenge he was to face. His technical skills are also very solid and give him the tools to make big plays.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64aa0dcadca71"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["14442"],"_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":"When I got to watch Faticoni in action, his team Charlotte FC was under heavy pressure, trying to sustain their lead against a talented Toronto FC. The goalkeeper was one of the reasons why his team managed to secure a 3-1 win, making some big saves that kept the team in the game. Faticoni isn't the tallest or the most athletic goalkeeper, but has good positioning and excellent reflexes. He plays with a lot of energy, communicates very well with the defenders in front of him and uses his feet with great efficiency when he's given the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64aa0dcadcabd"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":140696,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/IMG_8597.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-140696" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Charlotte FC vs. Toronto FC</figcaption></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":"Dominik Tyka","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_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":"Sockers 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":"Tyka had only one match to display his talent, but did a very good job, getting a clean sheet against D.C. United before his team Sockers FC lost in the PKs. He had to work under pressure on more than one occasion and responded well, displaying good resources between the posts and helping his team contain the opposing offense. Tyka is long and gets off his position very quickly to make plays. He's also very calm in his actions and prefers simple, reliable saves to flashy, riskier ones.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64aa0dcadcb41"} /-->