MLS Next Cup Playoffs: U-17 – 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 id="block-1a5249e0-c85c-4b77-b717-dea69c3fdf7b">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 id="block-fdaa4e12-e89e-4897-9674-198569227e93">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 midfielders were very active with their teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["60220"],"_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":"Even if his team NYCFC had a hard time in the tournament, falling to the LA Galaxy 6-2 in the Round of 32, there were enough positives in Duque's game to earn him a shoutout. Even in the most difficult moments of the match, he never shied away from the game, always looking for the ball to make plays. He found good pockets of space in the final third to get it and, when that wasn't the case, would drop back to initiate plays with good efficiency. His talented left foot connected some interesting passes and delivered set pieces with impressive accuracy.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64adcf05849fd"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QApl1pg23_w","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=QApl1pg23_w </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":"Tyler Zapata","_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":"102","_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":"Toronto FC's captain Zapata was the team's engine in midfield. He's very active in the middle, especially on the defensive side of the game, and keeps the team in rhythm. Zapata often gets himself in good positions and works very hard to win possession, be it by directly dispossessing an opponent or picking up a second ball. He's also very clean with his passing, finding interesting ways to move the ball upfield and making intelligent switches that often catch opponents out of balance.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64adcf0584b30"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":140693,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/IMG_8585.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-140693" /><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_player":["8394"],"_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 son of former Columbus Crew star and LA Galaxy coach Guillermo Schelotto, Nicholas was a rock in the midfield for the Californian champions. He plays with great intensity in his defensive midfield role, but it's his very high soccer IQ that makes of him the productive player he is. Schelotto is excellent at covering teammates and his positioning allows him to make some 'easy' tackles just because of how well he reads the game. He coordinates the entire defensive system, communicating the entire time with his teammates and determining when to press higher or drop deeper. The midfielder is also a very clean passer.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64adcf0584c10"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":140687,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/IMG_8544.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-140687" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">LA Galaxy vs. NYCFC</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["59854"],"_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":"Renteria had an important two-way role with Charlotte FC, having active roles on both sides of the ball. He does a lot of defensive work, helping shield the team's backline and winning balls in the center of the field, but also gets involved when in possession, moving up the field and little bit and becoming one of the main chance-creators for his team. Renteria can dribble in tight spaces and has excellent vision to connect passes in the final third. He can also finish from mid-range and can be a threat offensively.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64adcf0584cac"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":140689,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/IMG_8555.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-140689" /><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_player":["33269"],"_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":"Vazquez has gotten some recognition at the MLS Next Pro level and was one of the best players in his Philadelphia Union team. He played in the central area of the field, at times operating as a typical No. 10 and on other occasions joining the team's striker up top. A lefty, Vazquez circulated really well in the final third, moving to open spots to get on the ball and make plays. He's very calm when he gets on the ball in tight spaces and has the ability to create chances by beating his opponents off the dribble or by finding timely through passes.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64adcf0584d29"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/CfnJO6uj8MT/","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/CfnJO6uj8MT/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->