GA Cup: Key Players in the FC Dallas U18 team

<p>One of the most anticipated tournaments in the boys club soccer season is coming up shortly, as the MLS Next Generation Adidas Cup is set to take place at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, from April 12-20.</p>   <p>The tournament will feature 80 teams from 14 countries across the U16 and U18 age groups, including the MLS academies and some international heavyweights, such as Italy's Inter Milan, Germany's FC Bayern, the Netherlands' PSV, Brazil's Palmeiras and Mexico's Club America.</p>   <p>The three MLS clubs from Texas will send their teams down to Florida and we'll preview each of them in the days leading up to the event.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U18</h2>   <p>[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] were put into Group G in the GA Cup and will start their campaign facing three MLS opponents - New York Red Bulls, Vancouver Whitecaps and Nashville SC. The team from Texas has 15 wins, two losses and five ties in the 2024-2025 MLS Next season.</p>   <p>[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' roster has been through changes recently as some of their players joined the club's North Texas SC side in the MLS Next Pro League. [player_tooltip player_id='56094' first='Blake' last='Wheeler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='226590' first='Aiden' last='Jordan'] are their main options in goal, with Mikey Murphy, [player_tooltip player_id='16537' first='Michael' last='Cortellessa Jr.'], Jonathon Dozier, [player_tooltip player_id='88470' first='Zachary' last='Molomo'], Judah McCloud and Saul Guzman forming the core of the backline in front of him. The midfield is dynamic and talented, having Gabriel Mendonca, [player_tooltip player_id='56091' first='Bryce' last='Outman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='33382' first='Isaac' last='Romero'] as some of its key pieces. Dallas also have tons of quality up top, with [player_tooltip player_id='86671' first='Ian' last='Witis-Hughes'], Josmar Guandique and Samuel Sedeh appearing on the wings, while [player_tooltip player_id='15975' first='Christopher' last='Angelo Salazar'] and Ren Sylvester lead their goalscoring efforts.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cortellessa, who recently made his pro debut with North Texas, plays right back for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] and is one of the pillars of the team with his solid all-around game. He's a truly complete player, who masters every aspect of the game and is capable of making an impact on both sides of the ball. Cortellessa is a very solid defender, who reads opponents well and consistently comes up with the correct moves to stop them, getting into the right spots and making strong defensive actions. He also offers a lot in the final third, making smart runs off the ball, driving it efficiently and appearing inside the penalty box to finish chances. He also likes to come inside and operate as a playmaker, playing this role with tremendous efficiency thanks to his vision and passing accuracy.</p>    <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=Q1-5Nrtmbj4 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Murphy can play anywhere across the backline and even in midfield, but mostly appears in central defense for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']. He's a very athletic player, who uses his physicality and excellent mobility to make strong defensive plays. Murphy does a very good job of defending the penalty box, but also holds his own when dragged away from it, keeping opposing attackers under pressure and forcing them back. The defender is also very calm and confident on the ball and helps his team move it around with reliable passing.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/IMG_8225.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-263726" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Outman is one of the team's most skilled and dangerous offensive players. He's very quick and direct on the ball and does a very good job of progressing in on the field by using his pace and his ability to change directions when driving it. Outman can play more centrally, where he's also a threat with his ability to combine with teammates and move off the ball, or on the wings, where he's really difficult to stop in 1v1 situations. The midfielder has excellent vision in the final third and is very calm and composed in front of the goal, converting most of the chances he gets.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/IMG_8205.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-263721" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">A dynamic and skilled winger, Witis-Hughes is a constant threat to opponents playing for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']. A lefty, he typically plays inverted on the right, which opens up all sorts of possibilities for him. Witis-Hughes is excellent at beating defenders in 1v1 plays out wide and can cross the ball very well with his right foot, but is probably even more dangerous when he brings it inside so he can pass or shoot with his left. He moves very well in the final third and is very creative and resourceful, finding solutions for every play. Witis-Hughes finishes well from distance and is very calm in front of the goal, a combination that makes of him one of the team's leading scorers every season.</p>    <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/reel/DHZAo-evWmO/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Salazar is a prototypical striker, who knows every corner of the penalty box and consistently puts himself in great positions to score. His movement in the final third is excellent, as he only needs a few steps in the right direction to get separation from opposing center backs while also opening up the perfect angle for his teammate who's on the ball to find him. Salazar is very accurate with his first-time shots, and he also always finds a way to get on the end of crosses, especially by attacking the far post. He also works well with his back to the goal and can help his team by getting on the end of long passes and holding the ball up top.</p>    <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/DFloEBuouKB/ </div></figure>

One of the most anticipated tournaments in the boys club soccer season is coming up shortly, as the MLS Next Generation Adidas Cup is set to take place at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, from April 12-20.