BOYDS, Md. -- The MLS Next Flex event at the Maryland SoccerPlex drew to a close Monday for the U16s. Here are a dozen Class of 2024 players on U16 squads who caught the eye of scouts at the event:
<strong>F [player_tooltip player_id="17496" first="Sydney" last="Aggrey"], DC United</strong> — He often put himself in position to score, and even when the attack broke down, he was able to pressure the defenders.
<strong>D Griffen Dehm, Empire United</strong> — He was very active on the left side, and even overlapped a few times to get into the attack. He also has a long throw-in.
<strong>M Akiles Duran, Orlando City Youth Soccer</strong> — A physical presence in the midfield, Duran was able to push opponents off the ball.
<strong>W Isaac Garcia, Chula Vista FC</strong> — He was able to outrun defenders, get to the touchline and turn toward goal. When there wasn’t a clear passing lane, he was able to draw corner kicks.
<strong>M/F Isaiahs Gutierrez, Chula Vista FC</strong> — Gutierrez was able to stay on the ball, pull defenders toward him, then find an open teammate. He was at his best late in the match Monday, finding a teammate on the far post for an easy tap-in.
<strong>M Andrew Jean Baptiste, Cedar Stars Academy-Bergen</strong> — The Choate Rosemary Hall prep player is a big strong attacking player who forced defenders into bad choices with the ball. He also earned a number of fouls by being able to hold the ball.
<strong>F Eric Martinez, Murrieta Soccer Academy</strong> — Martinez might be small in stature, but he is one of the nation’s top finishers in his age group.
<strong>M Lincoln Matuskiewicz, LA United FA</strong> — He was a solid two-way player who checked back on defense and put himself in position to pick off passes, then start the attack.
<strong>W [player_tooltip player_id="10011" first="John" last="McGarry"], Orlando City Youth Soccer</strong> — He demonstrated great pace on the right wing and put San Francisco Glens under a lot of pressure, even when OCYS went a man down late in the match.
<strong>D [player_tooltip player_id="17162" first="Dash" last="Papez"], DC United</strong> — He was the most impressive defender on Monday. He was very active in breaking up attacks, including making about a 20-yard sprint to break up what looked like a breakaway for the opponents.
<strong>D Omar Seye, Orlando City Youth Soccer</strong> — He kept Orlando’s defense organized.
<strong>F Jonathan Sorensen, Indiana Fire Academy</strong> — Sorensen towers over his opponents, and add to it he’s got great speed. He scored twice in Friday’s match with the second goal coming on a header where he rose above the crowd for a quality finish.
