Top 5 2006 Players Not On U.S. U17 Roster

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The United States U17 roster is a very strong group, but it is not without some weaknesses and some debatable omissions. There are many potential reasons why players are not on rosters. They could have an injury, they could not be released by their club, they could be a dual-national that is not ready to be provisionally cap-tied or they may have simply not been selected. These are my top five players from the 2006 age group that are not on the roster for one reason or another.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1 AM, Aaron Heard, St. Louis City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heard has had a really great season in for St. Louis' U17s in MLS Next and has shown a lot of growth. He has always been a very talented player, but he is really started to figure out how to impose his will on games and he has learned to be more aggressive throughout games. He has a compelling blend of quickness, balance and skill. He is fantastic in transition and is adept at delivering a lethal final ball to give his teammates great scoring opportunities.&nbsp;It's important to note that Heard was born in late December and is almost eligible for the next age level. When a player is performing at a high level with a really late calendar birth year it is usually a good indicator of future success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2 CM, [player_tooltip player_id='16471' first='Luis' last='Moreno'], Houston Dynamo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moreno was on the first U17 roster for this cycle over a year ago and I do not believe he has been back with the team since, which I find strange. He was good in those friendlies and he been performing at a high level for Houston Dynamo U17s. He fits the mold of what the team is looking for — a highly instinctual player with great skill. He has incredibly quick feet and great dribbling ability. He is undersized, which at the eight position, might be why he has been left off the roster.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#3 WING, [player_tooltip player_id='15805' first='Andre' last='Gitau'], Without Club (Formerly Houston Dynamo)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='15805' first='Andre' last='Gitau'] has been consistent selection for this group and was one of the biggest surprise omissions from the final roster. The team lacks pure wingers and Gitau is the best of the 2006 age group. He is big, strong and explosive in short areas. He is a relentless dribbler that loves to attack defenders one on one, a skill that the U17 does not have a ton of. I think he would have brought a different dimension to the team that would have been very useful. Gitau left the Dynamo Academy this season and his next steps are still unclear.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#4 LCB, Matai Akinmboni, DC United</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Akinmboni is a big and skilled left-footed center-back, a profile that the U17 roster does not have. Akinmboni is one of the few players born in 2006 on a MLS first team deal and earned some MLS minutes last year for a struggling DC United team. For a center-back, this is a pretty incredible accomplishment. Rooney rates him very highly and perhaps he was not released because he has plans for him early in the MLS season. Blocking a 16 year old center-back from a big tournament would be very surprising and potentially exciting if Akinmboni is going to get minutes for DC United this year. We will have to wait and see what the plan is there. If he was available for selection, I think Akinmboni could have raised the ceiling of this U17 group.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#5 WING, [player_tooltip player_id='10228' first='Miles' last='Perkovich'], Inter Miami</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am not surprised that Perkovich was not on this roster because he has not been invited to more than an Youth National Team ID camp. He hasn't had the best season for IMCF U17s, but the talent is unquestionable and if he puts together, he'll definitely be a Youth National Team level player. He is a true left-winger that has quick feet and multiple ways to attack defenders. He likes to cut in on his stronger right foot and create danger. He is still a little raw, but one to keep an eye on for the future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->