MLS Next Cup and Showcase: U17 Cup Semifinal Standouts

High charged rivalries and spirited play highlighted the last of the MLS Next Cup semifinals, this time played under the bright lights of Siegel Stadium. Friday night's premier matches looked more like something from a Tennessee high school gridiron, but assuredly the temps and action was straight off the pitch. Here are the players that stood out best trying to get their team into the final:    Pratt did everything you need for a goalkeeper in his position, keeping his side in the game for long stretches with acrobatic saves and solid goalkeeping prowess. His ability to get down and get a hand to shots proved crucial towards the end of the match, deflecting two shots from range that would have snuck inside his posts. He also made the difference in the penalty shootout, saving the 2nd Union attempt to give Galaxy an advantage that ultimately saw them through to the final.     Playing like the true professional he is, Berchimas stood out as the best player on the pitch Friday night. Throughout the first half, he repeatedly made inroads into the LAFC attacking third, using a mix of skills and combinations with teammates to befuddle the LAFC backline and create opportunities for Charlotte. Eventually his efforts would pay off as a last minute counter would end with his passing shot into an empty net, sending Charlotte one more match this tournament.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/20240621_221033-rotated-crop-2593x1703-1719171515.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-183471" /></figure>    Pierre was class from the start of the match, and very nearly pushed Union to the final. His towering header in the second half made him look like a man amongst boys, effortlessly getting up with a defender draped on him and slamming it home to put Union ahead. Throughout the match he displayed the best of his abilities, winning 50/50's and aerial duels, as well as turning with the ball to send attackers the wrong way and afford himself the time and space to find outlets and push the Union attack forward.     Arteaga shown out once again for LAFC, providing a wonder strike ten minutes in that stunned the Charlotte goalkeeper and backline. Cutting in from the wing, Arteaga took two touches before uncorking a knuckling blast that skimmed the near post and bulged the back of the net. He was routinely an effective part of LA's attack and provided many crucial combinations and 1v1 chances to have a large effect on the match as a whole.     When union needed to get on the front foot and go at the Galaxy defense, Johnson was regularly the player called on to do just that. His speed and effective dribbles routinely provided problems for the Galaxy backline, and he showed the ability to go around the outside as well as cut in from the wing and provide incisive passes and pressure from both positions. Johnson was also a regular winner of 50/50 battles on the wing and made the most of his opportunities in the air as well. He was unlucky twice to not get on the scoresheet, producing quality saves from the Galaxy goalkeeper, and could've been the game MVP had it not    .[player_tooltip player_id='15264' first='Neil' last='Pierre']   [player_tooltip player_id='119664' first='Jamir' last='Johnson']

High charged rivalries and spirited play highlighted the last of the MLS Next Cup semifinals, this time played under the bright lights of Siegel Stadium. Friday night's premier matches looked more like something from a Tennessee high school gridiron, but assuredly the temps and action was straight off the pitch. Here are the players that stood out best trying to get their team into the final: