MLS NEXT Cup: The U13 Players Who Made the Biggest Impact

The MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs was an event that I'll remember for a long time. Over the next few days and weeks, I'll be publishing a series of articles highlighting the players I felt were most conducive to their team's success throughout the competition.   We'll start with the U13 age group.   As a content creator and scout, I'll admit this was probably the age group I watched the least. Most of my attention was focused on the older age groups, and the layout of the event made it difficult to get around to every field and every match. Because of that, my sample size within the U13 division was smaller than some of the other age groups.   With that being said, I think it's only fair to acknowledge that every player featured on this list comes from either [program_tooltip program_id='279915' first='Atlanta' last='United'] or [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy']. Those were the two teams that reached the championship match, and they were also the two teams I had the opportunity to watch the most throughout the event. While there were undoubtedly deserving players from other clubs, I simply don't feel comfortable making definitive statements about players I didn't watch enough.   What I can confidently say is that these five players consistently stood out on the biggest stage against elite competition. They elevated the teams around them and displayed traits that helped drive their clubs all the way to the final. Based on what I observed throughout MLS NEXT Cup, these were the players who left the strongest impression on me within the U13 age group.    Frankie Okine was probably the most impressive athlete I saw in the U13 age group all weekend.   When [program_tooltip program_id='279915' first='Atlanta' last='United'] appeared to be out of contention against [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'], trailing 1-0 in a match that was largely controlled by Galaxy, Okine stepped onto the biggest stage and delivered. He scored two goals, both of which were largely individual efforts.   The actions that led to both goals were remarkably similar. He simply walked through the defense in a way that very few players managed to do against [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] throughout the entire tournament. At a competition where Galaxy consistently shut down opposing attacks, Okine found a way to create offense almost entirely on his own.   When the lights were brightest, he stole the show.   For that reason, Frankie Okine is my top U13 prospect from MLS NEXT Cup    <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/DZBZiUsv7J6/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>   <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/DZBZENSvmtc/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>    In this age group, I don't believe there's another player I've watched who can switch the field as effectively as he can. His decision making is simple, clean, and highly effective. Despite not being the biggest player on the field, he consistently compensates with athleticism, intelligence, and elite passing ability.   I fully believe that within the next two years, Xavi Arroyo will emerge as one of the nation's top holding midfielders.   The clip below perfectly captures his value. He wins the ball physically against a larger opponent, distributes it, receives it back, and immediately splits the defense with a pass that allows his team to switch the field.   Those little details often determine whether an attack succeeds or fails. They don't always appear on the scoresheet, but they directly impact winning.   His value cannot be overstated    <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/DZIzSfnSYYQ/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>    On the offensive side of the ball, Dagmawi was consistently one of the biggest threats throughout the championship match.   His combination of physical attributes, technical ability, and soccer IQ is unique for this age group. Standing at roughly 5'11", he naturally presents matchup problems, but what separates him is how effectively he uses his frame.   You can tell how important he is to the team simply by listening to the communication on the field. His name is constantly being mentioned by teammates, and he's frequently praised by coaches from the technical area.   On a roster loaded with attacking talent, Dagmawi has established himself as one of the primary focal points of the attack.   The clip below highlights his intelligence. Despite the play ending with a save from the goalkeeper, it demonstrates how he uses his size, speed, and dribbling ability to create opportunities against quality defenders.   Even though [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] came up short in the championship match, Dagmawi remained one of the few offensive players consistently capable of creating dangerous moments       Aedan possesses tremendous upside.   His shot stopping ability immediately catches your attention, but what impressed me just as much was his distribution. Whether throwing or punting the ball, he consistently helped [program_tooltip program_id='279915' first='Atlanta' last='United'] transition from defense to attack.   One particular play stood out. Aedan launched a punt that directly led to a Frankie Okine goal. Unfortunately, the recording begins after the ball had already bounced near midfield, but from the sequence itself it's easy to recognize the quality and distance of the distribution.   Goalkeepers who can impact games both with saves and distribution are becoming increasingly valuable, and Aedan demonstrated both throughout the tournament.   In the second clip below, you'll also see the save that helped position [program_tooltip program_id='279915' first='Atlanta' last='United'] to eventually win the shootout.    <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/DZBZENSvmtc/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>   <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/DZBRVNNBuvF/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>    Isaiah Sisay is another tremendous attacking prospect from the [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] system.   While he currently stands at approximately 5'2”, he already possesses a very physical frame for his age. More importantly, you can tell there's still plenty of growth ahead of him. He has the kind of build that suggests he's going to get considerably taller over the coming years, but even now he has a strong, sturdy frame and isn't easily pushed off the ball.   What stands out most is the way he embraces physical play. He consistently puts defenders under pressure, welcomes contact, and forces opponents to make quick decisions. For a player in the U13 age group, he already understands how to use his body effectively to create advantages for himself and his teammates.   He delivered one of the biggest moments of [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy']'s playoff run when he scored in the semifinal against FC Cincinnati.   While Dagmawi often relies on speed and length to stretch defenses, Sisay operates more as a bruising center forward. He consistently pressures defenders, forces mistakes, and punishes teams that hesitate in possession.   The clip below highlights his composure. In a high-pressure moment, the ball falls to his feet inside the box, and he calmly finishes to tie the match. The game would eventually go to penalty kicks, where [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] advanced to the final.   What stood out most wasn't just the goal itself. After scoring, he immediately sprinted back to midfield rather than celebrating in the corner. He understood the job wasn't finished.   He's one of the most technically sound attacking players in the age group and someone who consistently delivers in clutch moments.   His goal kept [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy']'s MLS NEXT Cup run alive.    <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/DY-R2CYPFmP/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h2>   One thing I learned as a scout at MLS NEXT Cup was the importance of details when creating a winning environment. Academy directors and coaches spend countless hours teaching habits, roles, and responsibilities that don't always show up on the stat sheet, but they often determine who wins and who loses.   Although Frankie Okine is the player on this list who generates the most obvious value through his goal-scoring ability, I'd argue that Xavi Arroyo is a player people seriously need to keep an eye on. His value reminds me of the old saying that defense wins championships. It's rare to find a player with that level of technical ability who is equally committed to using his IQ, positioning, and decision making to help his team defend and distribute from the defensive third.   At this age group, a lot of soccer can be freelanced. Many players are focused on showcasing what they can do offensively, whether that's scoring goals, dribbling past defenders, or creating highlight moments. There's nothing wrong with that, but what stood out to me about [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] was how early they teach players to understand their roles within the system. The result is a group that consistently plays with structure, discipline, and purpose.   If there's one thing to take away from this article beyond the names of a few early prospects to watch, it's that the methodology of both [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] and [program_tooltip program_id='279915' first='Atlanta' last='United'] is worthy of studying. These are two academies that have established a strong precedent for player development and winning culture at one of the most difficult age groups to consistently succeed in.   The players deserve recognition, but so do the environments that helped shape them. Based on what I observed at MLS NEXT Cup, both [program_tooltip program_id='279915' first='Atlanta' last='United'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] have created pathways that many clubs around the country can learn from.   This is only the beginning of the series. More age groups and more standout performers are still to come.

The MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs was an event that I'll remember for a long time. Over the next few days and weeks, I'll be publishing a series of articles highlighting the players I felt were most conducive to their team's success throughout the competition.