Week 2 RDU Metro Preseason Best Performers

The first complete article for a metro area teeming with talent, the RDU metro did not disappoint this week. With many more matches with more teams participating, more players got their turn to shine. A week as promising as week 2 gives hope not only for the rest of the preseason, but also for the rest of the season. The following players proved to be special talents, above the rest of their peers.    Landon is a multifaceted and very promising player who can play multiple positions. Left wing, striker, or attacking midfield, he'll make sure to shine in any of those. On the wing, he beats his marker with ease, getting rid of them with simple movements. His agility and resistance to pressure help him get defenders off his shoulders constantly. He loves to drive the ball forward and towards the center, which allows his team to have a higher volume of attack. When playing striker, he helps in link-up play fantastically. He opens up spaces for his teammates and himself, leaving either in great finishing positions. As an attacking midfielder, he has the vision to play the final ball in dangerously.     Adrian is another very promising and talented player who can play as both a left winger and a right winger. A dribbler with great agility, he shrugs off defenders constantly. His ability to take shots with both feet allows him to shine on either wing. The type of winger to cut in to shoot, he doesn't care what foot he has to shoot with. Hitting the target comes just as easily to him as leaving defenders for dead. If he is in a position in which he can't shoot, he'll find a player who can. His passing in the final third allows his team to be more dangerous once they're there. Also, his passing deeper in the pitch is great. These passes allow his team to circulate the ball better.     Brandt is another talented player who plays as a central midfielder. Whether he's deep in midfield or helping in attack, he is a crucial figure in making his team effective. His physicality allows him to not only win the ball but also keep possession of it. He also helps circulate the ball regardless of where he's positioned. Even though he has fantastic shots that cause danger for the opposing keeper, he always looks to pass first. He manages to pick out teammates with ease from wherever.     Yusuf is a striker/second striker who executes multiple functions greatly to benefit his team. With a tendency to drop deep, his presence offloads pressure from his midfield constantly. His passes are quick and short, opening up spaces quickly. These spaces open up to create danger in multiple ways. The most important one is when he opens up central spaces so that the ball can move out wide. When the ball goes into wide areas, he makes fantastic runs into the box. Given his height, he already has a physical advantage over the opposing defense. He accompanies this natural gift with great heading accuracy and finishing.     Rohan is a great midfield talent who tends to play closer to the attack. Quick, both mentally and physically, he helps his team move swiftly centrally. He has a knack for intercepting and recovering the ball high up the pitch. This creates spaces for him to work in wonderfully. Whether it's with through balls in behind the defense or dribbles to get better shooting angles, he revels in quick actions. He also likes to drop deep sometimes to regain possession. His ability to win the ball back is remarkable for a player who is also creative.

The first complete article for a metro area teeming with talent, the RDU metro did not disappoint this week. With many more matches with more teams participating, more players got their turn to shine. A week as promising as week 2 gives hope not only for the rest of the preseason, but also for the rest of the season. The following players proved to be special talents, above the rest of their peers.