Opening Week — LAG and LAFC Prospects Take Center Stage

The first day of the MLS NEXT season certainly didn't disappoint, as one of Southern California's biggest rivalries took center stage. [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] and LAFC went head-to-head in an entertaining U13 and U14 El Tráfico doubleheader, giving us an early look at some of the top young talent within both academies.   The U14 matchup saw the [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] make a major statement with a 5-1 victory, with several of their attacking prospects putting together impressive performances. The U13 game was much tighter, producing one of the most exciting matches of the day as Galaxy and LAFC battled to a 4-4 draw.   Between eight goals in the U13 matchup, a dominant Galaxy U14 performance, individual brilliance, big saves, and some clutch late-game moments, there was no shortage of players who stood out. Here are the prospects who caught our attention during the opening El Tráfico doubleheader.       [player_tooltip player_id='409595' first='Isaiah' last='Sissay']   Isaiah continues to look like a serious powerhouse prospect for the [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] Academy. His low center of gravity, strength and explosiveness make him extremely difficult to handle on the offensive side of the pitch.   What makes his situation with the Galaxy particularly interesting is the incredible depth of this roster. There are games where Isaiah may not be in the starting lineup, but bringing a player with his physicality and attacking ability into a match against a tiring defense can completely change the game.   He seems to find the back of the net nearly every time we watch him, and he did it again today against LAFC Academy.       [player_tooltip player_id='409613' first='Luigi' last='Lopez']   Luigi is one of those players on this completely stacked Galaxy roster who you almost expect to contribute to a goal every time he steps onto the field.   Today, he did exactly that.   Lopez picked up an assist with a beautiful through ball to Alan, helping give the Galaxy a 2-0 advantage. His vision and ability to create opportunities for the players around him continue to stand out.   On a roster filled with attacking talent, Luigi remains one of the players you have to keep your eyes on.   <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/Dc6btuRRJjU/?stkn=MW92dm83eDZkOW9nYw== </div></figure>       [player_tooltip player_id='409597' first='Alan' last='Mondragon']   Alan is another tremendous attacking prospect for this [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] U14 roster.   He has a very smooth and creative style on the ball and showed it again today, scoring off a great through ball from [player_tooltip player_id='409613' first='Luigi' last='Lopez']. His consistency in creating offensive production continues to impress.   Whether it's taking defenders on with the dribble, finishing chances or creating for teammates, Alan has multiple ways to impact a match.   <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/Dc6btuRRJjU/?stkn=MW92dm83eDZkOW9nYw== </div></figure>       Xavi Arroyo — If you've kept up with some of my work before, you already know how highly I rate Xavi Arroyo. I believe he's one of the best center defensive mids in the country at his age group. There aren't too many players anymore who play that traditional holding-midfielder role, but Xavi does it extremely well.   He does a great job of leading the team, controlling the middle of the field, and connecting the back line to the attacking third. He's the type of player who helps everything flow and gives the players around him the freedom to get forward.   Today, Xavi also found a way to make an impact on the scoresheet. After his teammate had a penalty kick saved, Xavi was in the right place at the right time and followed up the rebound for the finish. Another strong performance from a player who continues to show why I rate him so highly.   <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/Dc6e7erh8m7/?stkn=MWU5dnd3bjljeHc2Mg== </div></figure>       [player_tooltip player_id='409600' first='Porter' last='Hamburger']   Porter was our player of the game for the U14 Age Group.   He scored twice today, with both goals coming in very similar fashion. Porter made excellent runs in behind the defense, put himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and showed tremendous composure.   On both finishes, he was able to sell the shot, get around the keeper and finish into the open net.   His speed immediately jumps out, but his composure in those situations might be even more impressive.   As the season progresses and the Galaxy begin playing in bigger tournaments and higher-pressure matches, Porter is a name I expect people around the academy soccer scene to become much more familiar with.   <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/Dc6bWYdB0b4/?stkn=eHFtNDlnN2Q5cXpj </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/Dc6fWkQpieO/?stkn=MW54OGNhbnZianBkMw== </div></figure>   U14 — LAFC       [player_tooltip player_id='409602' first='Miles' last='White']   LAFC has a very intriguing prospect at goalkeeper in Miles.   The final score may have been 5-1 in favor of the Galaxy, but that doesn't tell the entire story of Miles' performance, particularly in the first half.   The Galaxy attack eventually became overwhelming for LAFC as a whole, but Miles produced several impressive moments and saves early in the match.   None was better than an incredible one-handed save that immediately caught our attention and will be the opening clip of his video.   Sometimes evaluating a goalkeeper requires looking beyond the final score, and Miles showed plenty of individual quality despite the difficult result.   <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/Dc7IqbZvj4l/?stkn=cXQzMGNya205M2Ey </div></figure>       [player_tooltip player_id='409604' first='Jackson' last='Blaze']   [player_tooltip player_id='409604' first='Jackson' last='Blaze'] is a player who consistently gives everything he has on the field.   There is still some physical development ahead of him, which is completely normal at this age, but his technical ability already stands out. He's also extremely quick and capable of producing moments that immediately grab your attention.   One of those moments came today when Jackson produced an unbelievable finish that was unfortunately called back for offside.   The goal won't appear on the scoresheet, but the technique required to finish the opportunity still tells you something about the type of player he can become.   <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/Dc7JX9RzAyP/?stkn=NGRnamhjeGk3Y2d5 </div></figure>   U13 — LAFC       [player_tooltip player_id='409606' first='Emmanuel' last='Rocha']   [player_tooltip player_id='409606' first='Emmanuel' last='Rocha'] delivered arguably the most clutch moment of the day.   With his team trailing 4-3 and roughly six minutes remaining, Rocha produced a fantastic finish, chipping the ball over the goalkeeper to bring his team level.   The celebration afterward told you everything about how much the moment meant to him.   It wasn't just a beautiful goal. It came when his team desperately needed someone to step up, and Rocha delivered.   <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/Dc6vyECh3Fe/?stkn=MTdtNThwbHdpMjA3ZA== </div></figure>       Ethan Gutierrez   Ethan Gutierrez was one of my biggest discoveries of opening weekend.   This was my first opportunity to evaluate him, and he was easily one of the most impressive players on the LAFC U13 roster.   Gutierrez finished the match with a hat trick, consistently putting away the opportunities that came his way.   That might sound simple, but it's one of the most important qualities a young forward can have. Great strikers don't need five chances to score once. When opportunities arrive, they punish teams.   Gutierrez did that repeatedly today.   After this performance, he is definitely a name we'll be following as the season progresses.   <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/Dc6s41CB9PI/?stkn=MWk3YWE5aXo3eTY1dw== </div></figure>   U13 — [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy']       [player_tooltip player_id='409609' first='Nate' last='Amaya'] — Prospect of the Day   Four goals. Prospect of the Day.   This was our second time watching [player_tooltip player_id='409609' first='Nate' last='Amaya'], and he continues to make an extremely strong impression.   The first time we evaluated him was at National Premier Cup at SilverLakes, where he established himself as one of the Galaxy's go-to players when they needed a goal.   Today only reinforced that evaluation.   Amaya scored four times, demonstrating once again that he has a natural ability to find goals and deliver in important moments.   There are plenty of talented young attackers who can create highlights, but there is something especially valuable about a player who consistently produces goals. Nate is beginning to show that type of reliability.   He's a prospect I expect the Galaxy to continue investing heavily in and developing over the coming years. The pathway is obviously long at this age, but he has the type of attacking production that makes you excited to follow his progression through the Academy, with the hope that one day he can work his way toward [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] II and ultimately the first team.   For opening weekend, nobody made a bigger impression on us.   <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/Dc6opGgt9hk/?stkn=NTdidWtvcXRpNnhj </div></figure>       [player_tooltip player_id='409611' first='Sebastian' last='Shahbazian']   [player_tooltip player_id='409611' first='Sebastian' last='Shahbazian'] continues to be one of my favorite under-the-radar prospects in this age group.   He may currently be on the smaller side physically, but he plays considerably bigger than his frame.   Sebastian was consistently dangerous from the flank today and was directly responsible for creating two penalty situations. On one, his attacking pressure forced a defender into a challenge that resulted in a penalty. On the other, Sebastian delivered a dangerous cross that resulted in a handball.   Those plays are a good representation of his game.   He plays aggressively, competes with confidence and constantly tries to make something happen. Most importantly, he doesn't take plays off.   Physical development will come with time. The competitiveness, technical ability and willingness to attack defenders are already there.   <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/Dc7L_aOv89A/?stkn=MWtyMXl1dWUzeTUxNA== </div></figure>   Final Takeaway   Opening weekend provided plenty of individual performances worth remembering, but three things stood above everything else.   [player_tooltip player_id='409609' first='Nate' last='Amaya']'s four-goal performance made him our Prospect of the Day. Ethan Gutierrez's hat trick immediately put another LAFC prospect on our radar. And the [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] U14s reminded everyone just how dangerous this group can be.   For a Galaxy U14 team that already reached the MLS NEXT Cup Final last season, the scary part is how much talent and depth remains throughout this roster.   Isaiah can punish defenses. Luigi can create. Alan can beat players and finish. Porter can stretch a back line and score. And those are only some of the names we're watching.   It's far too early to predict how an entire season will unfold, but our evaluation after opening weekend is clear:   The [program_tooltip program_id='283671' first='LA' last='Galaxy'] U14s look like one of the premier teams in the country and a legitimate MLS NEXT Cup contender once again.   The talent is there. The depth is there. And after what we saw on opening weekend, this group looks ready to make another serious run.   We'll be following them closely throughout the season.

The first day of the MLS NEXT season certainly didn't disappoint, as one of Southern California's biggest rivalries took center stage. LA Galaxy and LAFC went head-to-head in an entertaining U13 and U14 El Tráfico doubleheader, giving us an early look at some of the top young talent within both academies.