MLS Fest Standouts Part 2

One thing is very clear and apparent to me after my time here at MLS Fest. There are some really good players that are not committed to schools late on in their recruiting process. Being around the Women's game for most of my time scouting this year where you see some rosters with their entire team committed to play at a division 1 program. Being at Fest has been a real eye opener for myself and others in the business, players whom collegiate coaches would be throwing offers at aren't getting them anymore. My advice to anyone reading is this. Keep at it! Consider looking at other opportunities with an open mind/heart. Here are some ballers that have impressed at Fest.    Couldn't believe this guy wasn't committed somewhere as a 2026 graduate. Mini Jeremy Doku, incredible turn of speed and has exquisite control of the ball while moving so fast. The Left Winger is a Power 4 talent.     Probably the best player I have evaluated thus far at Fest. Has it all size, speed, athleticism, incredible technique. The Michigan Hawks talent is living proof that MLS Clubs haven't hoarded all the talent. The Michigan State commit scored a special goal from about 25 yards out with his left foot in the top corner. He was already establishing his dominance early on in the game before that as well.     Middlebrooks put on a dominating display against [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] Academy. Not only was he stifling opportunities but he scored both goals for his side to earn them the victory. His teammates kept saying it was a redemption game for him. Not sure if that means he's coming back from an injury but what a way to do it if he did.     Has an intriguing profile tall and very long. Above average speed and a good decision maker on the ball. Does have some technical breakdowns at times. But I think there is a really good player in there if he keeps working and develops optimally.     I think he may of had a positional change recently as he was playing outside back today. But he looked right at home. Very clean on the ball and loved his competitive fight throughout the game. Combined really well with his teammates with some excellent 1 touch combinations as he drifted into midfield at times.     The midfielder had a great game on field 1 which is the coolest one in the whole complex with the stadium. He is a through ball merchant. Excellent at playing the penetrating pass. High energy and scrappy on defense as well.     He's so tall but yet still looks like he has some more growing to do. He wins a ton of aerial duels and had more clearances than any other player I watched all day against a very good Shattuck St Mary's side. The Ballistic captain has a lot of potential and I could hear some chatter from coaches on the sidelines about him.     The Attacking Midfielder certainly understands how to play the 10. His off ball movement is very clever and when he does get the ball he always looked dangerous against Capital City. Really good dribbler almost always beating at least 1 player successfully.     The Ballistic goalkeeper is extremely reliable. Makes every save he's supposed to make and can pull off the spectacular sometimes. Good distribution from a dead ball as well as when ball is played back to him.     If you need some speed this kid certainly has it. Excellent at cutting inside on to his right foot from the left wing position for a shot. Scored an excellent goal doing just that to put his Ballistic team in the lead.     Very confused not to see this guy committed to a division 1 program. Really silky and calm on the ball. Glides with the ball when he is able to dribble and excellent at slipping his forwards through.     The [program_tooltip program_id='283622' first='Blau' last='Weiss Gottschee'] talent is excellent on the ball. Most of the time it's 1 or 2 touch but shows excellent ability to beat a player on the dribble as well.     Big Baker Mayfield guy judging by his email given in his player profile bakerisgoated@gmail.com. Baker is awesome at passing the football and Najdi is awesome at dribbling a soccer ball. Super direct player that plays with absolutely no fear. A very similar trait to the Quarterback he idolizes as well.     The Akron commit put on an impressive display for the [program_tooltip program_id='283732' first='Sacramento' last='Republic'] today. His first touch is incredibly consistent and his passing is top notch. He will fit right in with the tiki taka style that Akron play with.     He's got that dawg in him. Certainly not shy of contact. Gets up and down the flank in a flash. The Cal Poly commit is going to be a huge success at the next level.     With [program_tooltip program_id='283732' first='Sacramento' last='Republic'] now Doolittle is a future Power 4 Goalkeeper. He is 6'4 and still looks like he is still growing. He is amazing with his feet which you wouldn't expect from such a tall young goalkeeper. He can play the long ball out of the air and on the ground. Has the highest potential of any goalkeeper I have evaluated at Fest thus far.

One thing is very clear and apparent to me after my time here at MLS Fest. There are some really good players that are not committed to schools late on in their recruiting process. Being around the Women's game for most of my time scouting this year where you see some rosters with their entire team committed to play at a division 1 program. Being at Fest has been a real eye opener for myself and others in the business, players whom collegiate coaches would be throwing offers at aren't getting them anymore. My advice to anyone reading is this. Keep at it! Consider looking at other opportunities with an open mind/heart. Here are some ballers that have impressed at Fest.