Who were the top players for Revolution U-17s this year?

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">While this wasn't a super deep team, this was a very fun team to watch because they had two of the top players at the U17 level in all of MLS Next. [player_tooltip player_id='59873' first='Olger' last='Escobar'] and [player_tooltip player_id='124250' first='Peyton' last='Miller'] are two of my favorite prospects and they tend to put on a show whenever they hit the pitch. Miller is already on a homegrown deal and Escobar may not be far behind. The team also has some solid glue pieces, but lack enough depth to get consistent results at the big tournaments. At the end of the day, developing top talent for the first team is the main job of an academy and New England is doing a really good job of that right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.ussoccercollective.com/approach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">My tiered grading system and scouting framework can be found here &gt;&gt;&gt;</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">WING, [player_tooltip player_id='59873' first='Olger' last='Escobar'] (2006)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Escobar was one of, if not the most dangerous attacker in MLS Next at the U17 level and he was recently recognized as the <a href="https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/new-england-revolution-s-olger-escobar-named-2022-23-under-17-mls-next-mvp#:~:text=Escobar's%20stellar%202022%2D23%20season,of%20the%202022%2D23%20season." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U17 player of the year</a>. Escobar is a dynamic winger with elite ball control, manipulation and deception. He is so clever with his body movements, quick feet and ability to read his defender. He is comfortable maneuvering in tight spaces and can create numerical advantages off of the dribble. He is strong at both chance creation and shot creation. He has good vision and can put in very accurate crosses and he also has a quick trigger and great technique on his shot. Escobar is one of the top players in the 2006 class and one of the top prospects in the United States pool. I'd be surprised if Escobar does not get offered a first team deal before the 2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">DM/RB, [player_tooltip player_id='12043' first='Jamie' last='Kabuusu'] (2006)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kabuusu is a solid and versatile defensive minded player that has started to transition from the midfield to right-back. Kabuusu is a little undersized, but he has good quickness and burst. Kabuusu's on ball ability is solid, but not exceptional. He doesn't have huge impact on the game from an offensive standpoint. It's on the defensive side of things where he shines. He is a very discipline and disruptive on ball and off ball defender —&nbsp;a true ball winner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">LB/WING, [player_tooltip player_id='124250' first='Peyton' last='Miller'] (2007)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I believe [player_tooltip player_id='124250' first='Peyton' last='Miller'] is the top 2007 born player in the United States pool. He has taken massive steps forward this year and has been rewarded with a first team contract. He graduated from the U17 team to Next Pro a few months ago and has been playing incredibly well for a 15 year old in what is essentially a U23 league. Miller can play both left-back and winger, though I think his long-term potential plays best as a left-back or left-wingback similar to Caleb Wiley. Miller is strong, explosive and quick. He has really improved the rate at which he processes the game and his ability to see more of the field. He is very good on the ball, showing soft feet and the ambition to break players down. Off the ball he makes smart and well-timed vertical runs and he shows good decision making and precision in the final third for a player of his age. Defensively he is quite good as well. He is solid in one on one defending and he has become more responsible as an off ball defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">CF, Robert Nichols (2007)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nichols is a nice player that has been pretty productive in Next Pro this year. It will be interesting to see if he has another growth spurt in him before his last year as a U17 player. A little more size could go a long way in his potential as a prospect. Nichols is a good connecting center-forward with good feet and an ability to bring players in to the build up. He has decent vision, decision making and shows some quality finishing ability. Nichols can grow by becoming a bit more ambitious on the ball and having more consistency in how he impacts games. His off ball movement can be more intentional which would allow him to have more involvement. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->