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Looking at the Western Team for the MLS Next All-Star Game

Looking at the Western Team for the MLS Next All-Star Game
Alejandro Guillen-Cerrato
Alejandro Guillen-Cerrato July 26, 2026 @ 10:50 PM
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In this article:

Benjamin Flowers
Benjamin Flowers F | 2029
TX
Ezra VanCleave
Ezra VanCleave M | 2029
AZ
Matthew Arana
Matthew Arana M/F | 2028
TX
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a look now at the Western team for the MLS Next All-Star game, we find some more immense talent. This team is slightly younger but equally as talented. The whole roster has some of the best talent of the country, but I'd like to highlight the following four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":382762,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a666af340051"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cris is a talented winger with great potential who plays primarily on the right, but can also play centrally. The Honduran-born attacker dazzles when he gets on the ball out wide. He loves to cut in to get shots off on his left. The power he gets on his shots from outside the box is spectacular. He combines this power with placement and makes it incredibly difficult for the keeper to get to. This translates perfectly on his free kicks. Any free kick, especially on the right-hand side, is a clear goal-scoring opportunity for him. His dribbling is what clears space for him in open play. He weaves through defenders constantly, proving how agile he is in tight spaces. When he gets the chance to run in behind the defense, he takes it wonderfully too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["295568"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a666af3400c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">"Benji" is one of the most talented attackers in the country, proven by the fact that he will be joining Chelsea once he turns 18. The youngest player on the team, he is also one of the most effective. In the final third, he positions himself perfectly to get as many chances as possible. The runs he makes show how intelligent he is in reading the game. They also make his midfielders' jobs much easier, since they know what he'll do once he receives the ball. When he has a goal-scoring opportunity, he remains composed. His finishing is spectacular, especially considering that he's not a 9. On the ball, he gets rid of defenders thanks to his acceleration. With his projection, there will undoubtedly be a battle between the US and Mexico to get him on their team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["279992"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a666af340115"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ezra is a dazzling attack-minded midfielder who keeps defenders on their toes constantly. He's incredibly dynamic, injecting life into plays when it's least expected. The changes of direction he pulls off when he's on the ball are wonderful to watch. These are either when he's dribbling or as soon as he receives the ball. When he dribbles the ball into the box, he is a chance-creating machine. He tends to drive the ball wide and plays great balls straight into the danger zone. If he's creating from outside the box, he shows how great his game reading is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210655"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a666af34015c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Matthew is easily one of the most talented attacking midfielders I've seen so far. He's an extremely skillful and technical player who isn't fazed by pressure at all. He operates in the most crowded area of the pitch, and he makes it seem easy. The passes he plays are done with flair and incision. They find a teammate who, before the pass, didn't have an option to receive it. When he receives the ball, he clears space for himself with unbelievable agility and skill. He'll drop his shoulder and turn into space that didn't exist when he received it. His long shots are fantastic, constantly making the opposition goalkeeper spring into action. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

Taking a look now at the Western team for the MLS Next All-Star game, we find some more immense talent. This team is slightly younger but equally as talented. The whole roster has some of the best talent of the country, but I'd like to highlight the following four.

Christopher &#8220;cris&#8221; Batiz

Christopher “cris” Batiz

HEIGHT 5'8"
POS F
CLASS 2029
View Player
​
Christopher
“cris” Batiz F
Class
2029
Height
5'8"
WA

Christopher “cris” Batiz

State: Washington
Club: Seattle Sounders FC Academy MLS NEXT
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Benjamin Flowers

Benjamin Flowers

TX
F
POS F
CLASS 2029
View Player
​
Benjamin
Flowers F
Class
2029
TX
Looking at the Western Team for the MLS Next All-Star Game
“Benji” is one of the most talented attackers in the country, proven by the fact that he will...
Written by Alejandro Guillen-Cerrato
Read more at PrepSoccer​.com
Prep Soccer

Benjamin Flowers

Instagram
State: Texas
Club: FC Dallas Academy
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Ezra VanCleave

Ezra VanCleave

POS M
CLASS 2029
View Player
​
Ezra
VanCleave M
Class
2029
AZ
Looking at the Western Team for the MLS Next All-Star Game
Ezra is a dazzling attack-minded midfielder who keeps defenders on their toes constantly. He’s incredibly dynamic, injecting life...
Written by Alejandro Guillen-Cerrato
Read more at PrepSoccer​.com
Prep Soccer

Ezra VanCleave

State: Arizona
Club: Barca Academy
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Playing Professional
Matthew Arana

Matthew Arana

TX
M/F
POS M/F
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Matthew
Arana M/F
Class
2028
TX
Looking at the Western Team for the MLS Next All-Star Game
Matthew is easily one of the most talented attacking midfielders I’ve seen so far. He’s an extremely skillful...
Written by Alejandro Guillen-Cerrato
Playing Professional
Read more at PrepSoccer​.com
Prep Soccer

Matthew Arana

Instagram Twitter
State: Texas
Club: Houston Dynamo Academy
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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