MLS NEXT 2008: Scouting CA’s hottest team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Albion SC Los Angeles has been on fire during the 2024 calendar year. The Southern California squad is ripping through the competition in MLS Next with a 15-1-3 record through the end of April.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The dynamic attack and dominant play from the midfield has been key to the success of the group. Check out a scouting report on a few of the standouts from this team below. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["7574"],"_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":"Phung made the move from right back to right wing this season, and it has been the key to unlocking the offense for Albion SC Los Angeles. Phung's play has been on another level.He has been unstoppable at the MLS Next level - with nearly a goal and/or assist in every game during this hot streak. He is playing with such confidence right now that he excepts to score to most situations. He has good size and pace and uses that well in duels on the wing. Both when beating players on the dribble and using his body to create space when getting a step in front of the last defender. Slowing down Phung has been the key to slowing down Albion, yet not many have figured out how to do it, which makes him one of the top recruits from this class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66354b0b2b8f2"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8faTNCNJnpw","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=8faTNCNJnpw </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":"Ocelotl Espinoza ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"Albion SC Los Angeles","_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":"Ocelotl is a midfielder on the Albion SC Los Angeles 08 squad. He stood out from game film in how much distance he covered. He seemed to be doing the job of three players at once. I thought his influence in the transition was invaluable to his side. He is quick to react and gets his feet stuck in. There is a natural pull to his game that draws him into the action and puts pressure on him to make the right play. He typically comes out of duels with the ball thanks to his quick feet and sharp soccer mind. Espinoza's combination play with the other Albion midfielders was a strong point of his game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Angel Diaz","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"Albion SC Los Angeles 08 MLS Next","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"I believe Diaz goes by the name Chuy. He is a box-to-box midfielder who immediately stood out from game film. He has a pretty complete skillset and makes an impact in all facets of the game. His first touch, close control, and vision are among his strongest attributes. Diaz's decision-making is really impressive as he always seems to make the right call with the next pass. He could be more aggressive in the attacking third in looking for his own shot in certain situations as his unselfish nature can get in the way of golden opportunities. And he does narrow his focus in one direction as times - usually only playing in the direction that he is facing. That said, he has been a key catalyst for his side this season and done well pulling the strings for his group.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Chris Perez","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Albion SC Los Angeles 08 MLS Next","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Perez is another talented midfielder on the Albion SC Los Angeles squad. The defensive midfielder is good on the ball with a first touch that sets himself up for success. He is in the right positions to make the play. He could be more physical and aggressive in the tackle as he does show some hesitancy to get stuck in at times. Perez's ability to combine with his teammates and pass out of pressure has been the focal point for Albion's success in overwhelming the opposition. There are some areas of his game that could still improve -including checking his shoulders before receiving the ball and scanning off the ball more. But the potential is there for a skillful midfielder who can influence the possession dominant style of play.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["80806"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Ibarra plays with a ton of swagger. Low socks, small shinguards, and a ton of confidence, Ibarra walks onto the field with an aura about him. He is a forward on the Albion SC Los Angeles MLS Next side and a player who you will probably be reading about for a long time. Ibarra is excellent at using his body to throw off the defender. He leans into defenders and puts them off balance so he can exploit the advantage. He has this knack for creating the small advantages over time to help his side win. He combines that physical approach with a impressive technical foundation. He is good with either foot and can deliver a cross or shot with pace and accuracy from either foot. Ibarra could improve on his free kick technique as he has shown some inconsistency in that regard.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66354b0b2bbe3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->