Who are the top players for LA Galaxy U-15s?

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The LA Galaxy U15 is another solid class in what is becoming the norm for their academy. A solid squad with some decent talent, but not a lot of elite talents that could become impact first team players. The exception in this group could be 2009 winger [player_tooltip player_id='146447' first='Mathis' last='Albert']. He was impressive in his first U15 season and could make a big jump next year. The three 2008 players identified below have decent floors, but may lack the high end ability to crack future youth national teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">My grading system</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I use a numerical scoring framework to grade players. I look at what I consider to be the most important traits and skills for each position and apply a numerical value to each of those categories. I take into account the age of the player when grading for each category. The categories include physical traits, technical ability, intellectual understanding of the game and their mentality in how they approach the game. I average those individual scores in order to generate a holistic grade of the player. The score helps me identify what tier of prospect a player is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier 1</strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>High impact Youth National Team Player, often times playing up an age group</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>High impact club player, often times plays up an age group and still heavily impacts games</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On the fast track to the first team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier 2:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Depending on strength of the age group, likely Youth National Team pool or core player</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>High impact player within his age group</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Potential future first team player</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier 3:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On the outside looking in to the Youth National Team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Consistently one of the more impactful players on his club team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On track for a look in MLS Next Pro, USL or NCAA soccer</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Possesses some high level skills or traits, but also holes in his game</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">DM, [player_tooltip player_id='124764' first='Nathan' last='Sanchez'] (2008)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanchez is one of the more under appreciated players at the U15 level in MLS Next. Sanchez hit a growth spurt this year and now has very good size for a defensive midfielder. If he keeps growing he could be a player that moves to the backline where he could have a very intriguing ceiling. Sanchez does a very good job at being an outlet for his teammates, continuously finding pockets of space and making himself available. On the ball he is clean and efficient, taking few wasted touches and playing with good tempo. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> Low 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">RCB, [player_tooltip player_id='83131' first='Enrique' last='Martinez'] (2008)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martinez has good size and above average ability on the ball. He has the ability to take space and dribbling out of tight situations and can progress the ball and break lines with his passing. Defensively, I'd like to see him be a little more tenacious in duels, but he does have solid positional integrity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> High 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">WING/CF, Robert Mejia (2008)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mejia was a pretty hyped prospect coming into this season, but he has not flashed a ton when I have watch him. He plays both as a number nine and a winger. At this point he is more effective as a winger and creator. He has pretty good feet and a soft touch, but has lacked a dynamic element to his game this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">WING, [player_tooltip player_id='146447' first='Mathis' last='Albert'] (2009)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Albert is one of the more exciting 2009 born players that have played consistently at the U15 level in MLS Next. Albert has good quickness, feet, close control and a flair for ball manipulation. Off the ball he stretches the backline with well timed vertical runs. He played with great confidence and resilience while playing up an age group. Albert might be one of the most exciting players at the U15 level next year and has the look of a U.S. Youth International.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->