Matthew Brusco Matthew Brusco M NJ is an absolutely lethal winger from Cedar Stars Academy. I first became aware of Brusco at MLS NEXT Fest, where he was one of the major contributors to his team’s success in qualifying for Generation adidas Cup.

He continued to provide value at MLS NEXT Cup. Early in Cedar Stars’ Cup journey, he set up Dayson Ocampo Dayson Ocampo F NJ on a platter with an unbelievable cross. If there’s one thing I’d use to describe Brusco’s style of play, it’s his killer mentality when he flies up the flank.

His speed is paired with a low center of gravity, great strength, and strong technical ability. Defenders are forced to play him tight and man-to-man, but he has the IQ to read how defenses are playing him and exploit the space depending on what is being given.

My favorite part about Brusco is that he is a true team player. You can see in the way he plays that he values assists just as much as goals. It is almost as if he finds more value in setting up his teammates by turning a good look into an even better one.

He is one of the central pieces to Cedar Stars’ future in this age group. In my opinion, of everyone on this list, I think Brusco has all the tools necessary to make a push toward a first-team pathway and contract. That is not to say the others cannot, but there is something about the way he is built and how he reads the game that gives me confidence he will continue blooming into an elite prospect.