2026-27 IMG Academy Blue: Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='283661' first='IMG' last='Academy'] is one of the top residency programs for American youth players. A residency allows top prospects across the country to study, live and train in one single place. Today, we will preview this upcoming season's boys high school program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Focusing on the college recruitment programs: the "Academy" team, competing in MLS NEXT, and the "Blue" team, competing in NAL. With the variety of leagues featuring other top academies, and national tournaments featuring the best in each category, this level of soccer helps each individual continue to push themselves. Below are some top Ascenders to watch out for:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376121"],"_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-6a837078bac31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Striker who can finish with power from the outside of the box. When feet are set for the shot, a positive body stance sets up the clean technique, allowing shots to travel with velocity. Headers, spin runs, breakaways, you name it. The finish can come from any story and end in the back of the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["384631"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":384886,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a837078bac9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Right back / right midfielder who occupies assigned areas with total control in each situation. Reading the play in one-on-ones to make the right decision. Putting in great effort to pull off harder tackles or interceptions. Has the work rate to find passes out so supporters in the shape can get the ball rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":384882,"_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-6a837078bacd9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">MLS NEXT attacking midfielder that finds comfort in the high press. Playing in a spaced out side, the collapse or counterpress does not pose an issue with the technical capabilities on display. Being able to continue play when playing directly on the sprint shows how this hustle is continued playing up in the final phase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":384881,"_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-6a837078bad0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wide forward versatile in the role to play across the front three. When being that wide target, the run starts deeper before peeling inside. When in a more inside role, quick dribble interchanges are found centrally. This offensive awareness leads to short touch chance creation and opportunities to score out wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":384883,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":384888,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a837078bad48"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">U17 [program_tooltip program_id='283661' first='IMG' last='Academy'] wide midfielder with a great work rate. Picking off long passes, pushing up and down the field in single sequences, and shooting off longer dribbles are examples of this. Effective in the middle phase to win the ball back effectively and ship it off to central players in question to routinely start counters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":384884,"_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-6a837078bad79"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2010 MLS NEXT player who thrives in the half spaces. A fighter in the high press, in the low block and against wide counters. Versatile in location, though thrives in mastering outside space responsibilities in ball retention. Ambipedal (great with both feet, no "preferred foot"), finding runners against the run of play with great outside foot feeds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":384885,"_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-6a837078bada8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Class of 2028 [program_tooltip program_id='283661' first='IMG' last='Academy'] student athlete with a strong outside foot for power finishes and crosses out wide. Finding space across the final third, Mourino is often involved with give and go play. This mentality to keep searching for the real chance shows the composure in his game. Working play inside or being part of the end play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->