Illinois and Indiana’s best 2024s star at MLS Next Flex

The MLS Next Flex event in Maryland was a big success for teams from Illinois and Indiana in the 2006/U16 age group. FC United (IL), Sockers (IL), and Indiana Fire Academy won their groups in that age group. In the 05 age group, some 2024s impressed while playing for Chicago Fire, who won their group, and Sockers, who came up one game short of winning their group. Between the two age groups, there were over a dozen players from the two states who impressed scouts from the event. The players highlighted are the ones who did not appear in the initial <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/illinois/rankings/boys/2024-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PrepSoccer rankings</a> for Illinois which will be updated again this summer. Illinois [player_tooltip player_id="11218" first="Luke" last="Laramore"], FC United 06 - Laramore is a goalkeeper with Youth National Team Identification pedigree. He has good size and athleticism. He is quick off his line especially on through balls, which allows his team to play a high line. They have the utmost trust in Laramore and he proves them right over and over again. He is comfortable in securing the ball with both hands in traffic. There is a lot to like about Laramore's game - and even more to be excited about for his future. He is one to watch from a top goalkeeper in his class in the country perspective. [player_tooltip player_id="11142" first="Charlie" last="Heuer"], FC United 06 - Heuer finished the event with two goals and four assists. His influence in the attack was obvious. He could unlock the opposition on the dribble or with the pass. He has that quality and vision to be a difference-maker even at the top level of the club game. There are a lot of attributes to like about Heuer's game at the club level. For scouts, there is plenty of potential there for a creative talent in the center. Improving his lower body strength will help with the challenges he will face at the next level. David Siemionko, FC United 06 - I love the way Siemionko presses. He is a machine during the transitional parts of the game. His quick reaction to immediate pressure the ball is a major reason why FC United is so successful. If teams can break his first pressure, the game will be easier but he is so smart about it that rarely a team has the tools to deal with his early challenges. Siemionko is more than just a pitbull on the field. He has a good first touch and is an asset in possession. He makes good decisions on the ball, and does well at allowing the attacking talent to flourish on the FC United squad. Will Spitznagle, FC United 06 - This is going to sound simplistic, but Spitznagle's long throw-in will definitely attract the interest of college coaches. He can launch it down the field. On the field, he is a solid option at left center back in a back three. He is a good passer and strong in the tackle. Peter Soudan was also one to watch from the FC United squad. [player_tooltip player_id="11150" first="Daniel" last="Firs"], Sockers FC 06 - Firs should make his highlight tape from the first half against Oakwood. He dominated that 45 minutes. The center back did not put a foot wrong. He was in the right spots, put in the tackles, and made a key pass for the second goal. Firs showed that he should be a center back on every scout's radar for the 2024 class. Matthew Zachemski, Sockers FC 06 - Zachemski is very good at linking play, he has good footwork and can play one-two touch under pressure. Sockers utilize those assets from the center forward as it allows the attacking midfielder and wingers to play off of him. Against the high line of the Oakwood defense, Zachemski did well in playing with his back to goal and leaving the space behind for his teammates to run into - either through his passing or his dummy runs. He should good finishing instincts with his two goals against Breakers. [player_tooltip player_id="11145" first="Cole" last="Mrowka"], Sockers FC 06 - Mrowka scored a goal in each game for Sockers during the event. The attacking midfielder is skillful on the ball with great ball control. He reads the game well and has that finisher's instinct on where to be to get on the end of a cross. He is also dangerous in dead ball situations as he scored one of his goals on a free kick. Michael Nesci, Chicago Fire 05 - Nesci is a pure goalscorer. He showed that in Maryland. He finished the event with three goals against the Sounders, which recently won the Generation Adidas Cup. Nesci scored three of his four goals from the spot during the games, but they all count the same. He was lively around the box and has the right mentality to be a goalscorer at the next level. Nicholas Nobles, a 2025, looks to be a name to know for the future as he had a stellar showing in Maryland while playing up two age groups. Maxwell Ionita, Sockers FC 05 - Ionita played all three games in goal for Sockers. He recorded two shutouts from the three games. He was active off his line and did well intercepting crosses at the high point. He did well with distribution and hit a good variety of targets with his passes. [player_tooltip player_id="36756" first="Luke" last="Gonda"] was a standout in the midfield for Sockers. He will be one to watch in moving up the rankings in the next update. Indiana Trent Schenk, Indiana Fire Academy 06 - Schenk has a lot more skill than most outside backs in this class. His assist on the second goal against Lamorinda SC is the perfect example of what he can bring to his team. He picks up the ball near midfield, finds the space on the field, connects with teammates, and delivers a perfect cross with his left foot. Schenk is going to have scouts very interested in his progression as he is an exciting talent who could be utilized in a number of roles on the field. Grant Paskus, Indiana Fire Academy 06 - Paskus impressed with his play at the event in Maryland. He is a midfielder who plays in an attacking role, but he can play any of the three spots in a traditional 4-3-3. He is an intelligent player who is a good decision-maker on the ball. He looks like a two-way midfielder to know from the 2024 class. Jonathan Sorensen, Indiana Fire Academy 06 - Sorensen played as the center forward for Indiana Fire. He was physically dominant in the win over Lamorinda. He has the tools to be an immediate contributor at the next level. Sorensen can hold a defender on his back and then turn him with a shrug of the shoulder. He doesn't have breakaway speed, but he has quick reactions to create that half step advantage around the box. He will be a top recruit among the center forward pool from the class of 2024. [player_tooltip player_id="11340" first="Leo" last="Susemichel"], Indiana Fire Academy 06 - Susemichel is a defensive midfielder who played out of his mind good in Maryland. Susemichel did not show up on the scoresheet, but he did not come off the field because he was that influential to his team. He is always in the right spot either to offer an option for a teammate or cut off a passing lane for the opposition. He is top talent in the defensive midfield role in the 2024 class.