YNT-eligible MLS players: 2017/18 offseason thread

The goal that Aaronson scored.

Brenden Aaronson, one of the 3 Academy players invited to #PhiladelphiaUnion Pre-season… https://t.co/xk17avuMwo

— Philadelphia Union Academy (@phlunionacademy) February 4, 2018

 

LAG vs RSL was a good game. Don't know if RSL will still be dominating LA in the future, with LA kids getting better. Watched a little of SEA vs POR but mainly just the 2nd half, when the younger guys played. Farfan was okay but not that great. Serrano looked really good on the ball when he had it and Teves did well defensively.

 

Seattle played another friendly against the Crew on Sunday.

Highlights
Seattle Sounders FC 1 - Columbus Crew SC 2
Venue: Mulcahy Soccer Stadium I Tucson, Arizona
SCORING SUMMARY

CLB - Colin Biros (Niko Hansen) 5'
SEA - Victor Rodríguez (Alex Roldan) 28'
CLB - Adam Jahn (Pedro Santos) 78'

LINEUPS

Seattle Sounders FC - Bryan Meredith (Calle Brown^ 65'); Jordan McCrary^ (Denso Ulysse+ 65'), Marcus Fjørtoft# (Aiden McGlothan^ 65'), Sam Rogers+ (Rodrigue Ele+ 65'), Nouhou (Khai Brisco* 65'); Gustav Svensson - captain (Ray Saari+ 65'), Alex Roldan (Dylan Teves* 65'), Henry Wingo (Ray Serrano* 65'), Victor Rodriguez (Handwalla Bwana 46', Azriel Gonzalez 72'+), Magnus Wolff Eikrem (Zach Mathers 65'); Felix Chenkam* (Seyi Adekoya 65')

+ Player currently signed to S2 roster
* Sounders FC Academy player
# Unsigned MLS SuperDraft Selection
^ Guest player

Columbus Crew SC - Zack Steffen (Logan Ketterer 46'); Harrison Afful (Connor Maloney 46'), Alex Crognale (Josh Williams 46'), Jonathan Mensah (Lalas Abubakar 46'), Edward Opoku (Hector Jimenez 46'); Ricardo Clark (Sean Zawadzki** 32', Wil Trapp 46'), Mohammed Abu (Luis Argudo* 46'); Niko Hansen (Cristian Martinez 46'), Federico Higuain (Eduardo Sosa 46'), Colin Biros** (Pedro Santos 46'); Gyasi Zardes (Adam Jahn 46')

* Unsigned 2018 MLS SuperDraft selection
** Crew SC Academy player

Zawadzki and Biros are '00s. Academy '00 defender Aboubacar Keita (2nd half) along with Biros (final 30 minutes) played in the Crew's first friendly on against the Rapids on 2/1. '01 academy goalkeeper Logan Kowalczyk is also with them for preseason. In addition, they invited '00 midfielder Isaiah Parente; but he decided to enroll at Wake Forest for the spring semester.

 

I leave this here for the sole purpose of giving @ussoccer97531 an aneurysm.

Sporting KC defender Kevin Ellis has joined @FCDallas preseason camp on trial. The 26-year-old is currently under contract with SKC for the 2018 season.https://t.co/t2gTJdTCNG

— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) February 5, 2018

Ellis leaving SKC at the same time EPB did. Perhaps to now stand in the way of the two MLS CB homegrowns.................and possibly Terwege, Richards?

 

I saw that and I thought it might be some competition for Cannon. Not a fan of that decision. I'm also not a fan of FCD purchasing the rights of a Colombian attacking mid.

 

If the staff feels one or both of Cano or Reaves isn't ready, it does make sense to bring in some cheap defensive cover.

The thing with FCD is that since a 3rd of their roster is relatively cheap homegrowns (also 3 GenAds that don't count against the cap), they have a TON of salary cap space available.

The guy we see connected most with FCD right now is Colombian forward Santiago Mosquera from Millonarios. That has more to do with the fact that Urutti is in the last year of his contract, Colman has been a big disappointment, and Akindele is just a squad player. FCD reportedly offered $4 million for him, which for FCD is a huge chunk of change. I believe that with young DP Chala being shipped out again, they do have a DP slot available.

If Mosquera is the guy they sign, then I don't see that impacting the playing time of the FCD youngsters this season. I kinda view it as the end of Akindele........................

 

Cano and Reaves are HGP signing closer to the mold of Aaron Guillen. I think they are better than Gullen especially Cano, but they are still in that bucket. Nobody else is giving up sizable TAM to sign them like Cam Lindley for instance.

They are free roster filler with some potential, but more likely that they are cut in less than 2 years than develop into an MLS starting caliber player. Not knocking them personally, but those are the odds.

If Kevin Ellis starts over them that is pretty much your answer.

Now Reggie Cannon on the other hand is a different type prospect who is both younger and has a higher ceiling, so you hope that Cannon would be the choice at that position even if there are some growing pains.

 

I am a fan of Ellis-to-FCD if he's viewed as a RB because it shows me that they have a lot of confidence in Cannon. It's when the clubs signs a quality veteran or hotshot young foreigner that's a concern.

 

Worth noting that Hollingshead played the 2nd half of the recent friendly at right back. As of this second, I'd consider Hollingshead to be Reggie's competition there.

I'm not worried about Cannon. Everything, literally everything, we've seen from FCD this off-season suggests the staff feels Cannon is ready for the starting job at right back. There hasn't even been a sniff of a rumor of them signing a foreign right back. That doesn't mean it won't happen out of nowhere. It just seems unlikely.

 

I understand what you are saying, but I think if they were going to go with a veteran, they wouldn't have gotten rid of Grana, so I already assumed they weren't going to bring in another RB.

While we're on the topic of veteran MLS'ers potentially taking playing time from young RB's, I should mention that I saw Brad Evans was brought in by SKC for training, which could cut into any playing time Lindsey might get this season.

 

New England drew FC Cincinnati 1-1 today.

FCC: Bone (Ledesma) 37'
NER: Bye (Penilla) 49'

First Half Line Up:

NER: Cropper, Somi, Dielna, Samayoa, Farrell, Caldwell, Rowe, Penilla, Fagundez, Femi, Bunbury

Second Half Line Up:

NER: Cropper, Tierney, Dielna (Anibaba 58'), Samayoa, Bye, Kraft, Herivaux (Red Card 73' replaced by Rowe), Angking, Fagundez, Penilla (Segbers 73'), Wright


Philadelphia beat the University of South Florida 5-1 today.

Sapong (Mbazio) 3'
Herbers (Mbazio) 44'
USF Corner Kick 45'
Epps 67'
Burke 70'
Burke 82'

Auston Trusty started and played the first 33 minutes.

Mark McKenzie, Derrick Jones, and Anthony Fontana were subbed in during the 33rd minute. McKenzie was then replaced by Josh Yaro in the 75th minute.

33' - Substitutions!

McGuire -> McCarthy
Rosenberry -> Fabinho
Marquez -> Trusty
McKenzie -> Elliott
Creavalle -> Medunjanin
Jones -> Bedoya
Epps -> Accam
Fontana -> Najem
Herbers -> Ilsinho
Burke -> Sapong@K_J_Rose is playing right back. Olivier Mbaizo moves to left back.

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 7, 2018

61' - Substitution. @raygaddis on for @K_J_Rose.

Score remains @PhilaUnion 2, @USouthFlorida 1.

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 7, 2018

75' - Substitution. @JoshYaro replaces @markmckenzie4_.

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 7, 2018

 

I am told that the deal between FC Dallas and Millonarios for Harold Mosquera, is not only done but the striker is scheduled to arrive in the Dallas this Friday if everything goes as planned. What are your thoughts on this move @jrojasa75 ? #MLS #FCDallas pic.twitter.com/qciTM0MoVj

— Niko Moreno (@ELROLONW) February 6, 2018

 

Interesting that Trusty has jumped so far. Are Yaro and/or Marquez coming back from injury? Also, is Real injured?

I like the direction Philly is going in right now. Seems like they really want to emulate the Dallas model. Leaving out Bwana due to age/nationality confusion, they have 3 of the 6 American '99 homegrowns right now.

 

I guess he would mostly affect Ferriera’s Potential playing time? FCD has got to find him a decent loan this year, he’s too good for the U-18’s

 

The player seems to be a LW or RW, maybe also capable of playing striker. It could effect the PT of both. Even if Pomykal's third best position is LW, players move around in the positions they play. If the back up LW is now 3rd string, he might now get more playing time at another position. There are tons of potential variables.

It might not end up effecting Pomykal's playing time that much, but this certainly isn't a positive thing for him.

I don't think Ferreira's going to play much this season. I wasn't sure even before this signing that he would. Now? Yeah, I don't think he'll play more than a few minutes. An inter-league league loan could work.

 

Yup. Ferreira is only 17, and won't be 18 until next December. He's a young'un.

Prior to the flurry of off-season activity I thought Ferreira might get 500 minutes and Reynolds just a debut. But with two GenAd winger/forwards brought in, plus the imminent signing of Mosquera....................I don't see that happening. I'm not sure he's ahead of Adonijah Reid on the depth chart either.

Of course, as I've said over and over this off-season, Clavijo is going to be doing a lot of wheeling and dealing. I don't think the off-season moves are over. We do know that the club has received offers for Barrios, and Urruti is in the last year of his deal. Also, Akindele could be dealt. So maybe acquiring this player is preparation for other moves in the next window.

Something folks might not know is that the new coach of their USL affiliate in OKC is a former assistant of Pareja's in Colorado. Coincidence? I don't know. I hope they use that affiliation more in 2018.

 

Ferreira is the type of player that would benefit from a extended loan to USL.

He is at the age where he needs minutes above the U19 level, but isn't ready for an expanded role at the MLS level. This is the biggest issue with a lot of these prospects. They just end up in limbo for a couple years.

This is where going abroad really benefits prospects to me especially Germany. They have the U19 and the U23, 2nd Teams in 4th, better loan options to B2, etc..

 

Important friendly tonight for FC Dallas.
Its against a team from El Salvador, that Pareja thinks will mimic what they'll see from Tauro FC in the CCL. So we're very likely to see what Pareja feels is his "first team" in this contest. [Tecla has an MLS homegrown connection as Gerson Mayen of ChivasUSA is in their squad.] Gotta feel that if Cannon starts this game, he'll start the CCL game. I'm less confident Pax will start, but if he's in the 18..............that's a good sign. Lamah probably starts on the left wing. Just a guess.

So far haven't seen any information about a stream, but that doesn't mean there won't be one.

TFW you wake up and there's an FC Dallas match at @ToyotaStadiumTX!

🆚: @santateclafc
⏰: 7pm
🎟: https://t.co/xsISzeyZmn#ChallengeAll pic.twitter.com/R7Rgtotd7i

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) February 7, 2018

 

https://www.rsl.com/post/2018/02/07/2018-preseason-rsl-v-sj-tucson RSL is in the 22nd minute against San Jose. 6 homegrowns start (Lennon, Glad, Acosta, Saucedo, Herrera, Lima) along with Yueill.

 

Was hoping to watch some of this one.

There will be no livestream for tonight's friendly.

— Toyota Stadium (@ToyotaStadiumTX) February 7, 2018

 

I'll try not to drink too much so I can scout and remember what I see. For all those who are worried about Ferreira don't forget he's also coming back from an injury. Really too bad they don't have their D2 team yet as that would be perfect for him this year.

 

961276641824661505 is not a valid tweet id

 

Cannon starting tonight for FCD. No other youngsters in the 18.
Substitutes: Kyle Zobeck (trialist), Figueroa, Hollingshead, Ulloa, Hayes, Twumasi, Colman.

The reason for no other kids may be that there's also a game tomorrow for FCD "reserves" against OKC. Guys like Pax and Ferreira might start and play that full game. Reynolds might be with the U18s as well?

Your Starting XI for tonight's friendly against @santateclafc.

Substitutes: Kyle Zobeck (trialist), Figueroa, Hollingshead, Ulloa, Hayes, Twumasi, Colman.#FCDvSTFC | #ChallengeAll pic.twitter.com/vXKC3TKnS2

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) February 8, 2018

I think the game is going to be streamed without commentary on FCD live.
https://www.fcdallas.com/live

 

Cool, I guess that tweet from Toyota stadium was wrong.

 

Just had to get the intern to set up the camera.......................