USSoccer97531’s 2019 Player Rankings

Discussion in 'Youth National Teams' started by ussoccer97531, Dec 24, 2019.

  1. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    #26 ussoccer97531, Dec 26, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2019
    2001: Drop off after 4. I've went back and forth on how I rank Booth, Araujo, KDLF for a few years, and I'd say that Llanez has put himself in that conversation the last year, as well. Those four are the four clear best players in the year, IMO. 5 through about 30 is pretty similar, as well. After that, it drops off a little.

    2002: I see a drop off after 5. The first five are near interchangeable, and I've went back and forth on how I'd rank them. I had Las, AOC and Scally in the top tier for a long time. Reyna's joined that tier in the last year or so, KHF has joined it in the last six months or so. I would say 6-26 is another tier, and then from there you have a lot of similar level guys.

    2003: This year has more defined tiers. I don't know why, but I see very clear tiers in this age group.

    Nyeman was in his own tier for a few years, but he hasn't developed that well in the last year, so his stock has come down. Gomez is now in the same tier. I had Gomez and Chifamba in the same tier about a year ago, and while I had Gomez 2 and Chifamba 3, I suspected that it would flip. It's went the opposite way of what I'd thought. Gomez has joined Nyeman in the top tier, Chifamba hasn't progressed, so he's still in the second tier, but further off Gomez than he was a year ago. Pepi and Leyva is near interchangeable, and I've had it that way for some time. I like Leyva's style of play a little more, but I'm not going to completely discount the U-17 WC where Leyva was completely exposed.

    I had Cuevas then in his own tier after those four for a little while, but Walls game has really come on in the last six months. He's moved up the list from 10-15 to 6. For me, there's another drop off after that. I've had Sarver and Garcia near interchangeable since the beginning of the year. They are both speed-based wingers, but they play the game differently. I elect for Garcia over Sarver because its close in current ability, and I think Garcia offers the higher upside. Past 9, it drops off a lot. The next ten or so could be arranged in nearly any order. 20-40 is another tier, and then it drops off a lot from there.

    2004: The first six are interchangeable, IMO. I don't find that this year has much of a top-tier. It's similar to 2001 and 2002 in that sense, so a bunch of very good players could be placed in any order for the top few spots. The next ten or so after that are another tier, and then there's a drop off.

    2005: There's a huge gap from 1 to the rest. That might say more about Clarke's quality than the lack of quality of others because I think the next few players are very good players in their own right. I would also say 2-3 are their own tier, and then 4-5 are another tier. From there, it's hard to differentiate between the players that much.

    Overall: For me, the first three are in their own tier. Gomez is the surest bet of the three to be really good and a NT player quickly. Nyeman has the best combination of current ability, positional value and upside. Clarke is the highest upside guy, and it's really just a matter of seeing him play at higher levels before he's the top player in the system. I didn't want to place a guy whose never played above U-15 level as the best prospect in the system. I find that Nyeman and Gomez are a little too good for Clarke to leapfrog them so quickly without being tested against better competition. At the same time, Nyeman dropped off a little this year, and that wasn't expected, so the same could happen to Clarke. You just never know. IMO, the next 20 or so can be placed in any order, and then from there the rest of the top 50 is similar.
     
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  2. soccersubjectively

    soccersubjectively BigSoccer Supporter

    Jan 17, 2012
    Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Hey nice researching here! Definitely some names I'm looking forward to tracking.

    As an aside, I think you could cut the numbers in half, if not more, for your own sake. If we got 50 worthwhile players from one birth year, that'd be a major success.

    Just an idea! I'm sure this took you forever to compile so I don't want to put down anyone's work : )
     
  3. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    I think for each year there's a drop off at a certain point where some guys probably have the potential of an MLS roster player or equivalent. I don't think there are 100 players in an average age group with real USMNT potential, but if that number is actually 40-45, you don't know which 40-45 those are. It might be #83 instead of #36, despite thinking that its #36 instead of #83. Thats why I want to list the players out who could have USMNT potential. These are still young players and they are developing (or stagnating). I'd probably rank a number of them differently in another year.

    I could comment on more players in each age group, but I tried to tailor the rankings to what I've seen of each age group, how many players I have seen enough of to form an opinion, and the point where I account for the different range of realistic possibilities that I can see. I probably will also be wrong about the range of realistic possibilities, to some extent. There will be a few players turn into good players that I've seen enough of them to form an opinion, could've listed, but didn't because I don't see realistic high-level professional potential. I think I more thoroughly cover the range of possibilities this way, so thats why I did it this way.
     
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  4. frankburgers

    frankburgers Member+

    May 31, 2016
    Kudos for putting this together. You sure do love ranking youth players. While it’s impossible to rank 2004’s or 2005’s at this point, it’s good to get some names out.

    as with everything, this is all subjective and we could all quibble with individual players.
     
  5. jeff_adams

    jeff_adams Member+

    Dec 16, 1999
    Monterey, Ca
    It’s also nice to have some names to check out when you watch a DA game.
     
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  6. focusondev

    focusondev Member

    Barcelona
    United States
    Nov 15, 2019
    Man, I love the fact that you have the balls to put these lists out. It not only fosters more discussion around these talented youth but also solicits suggestions on others who may be missing from the list, which may provide more refinement of the list in the future. A better alternative to the IMG Too 150 IMHO. Excellent job!
     
  7. justinpaul10

    justinpaul10 Member+

    Sep 2, 2013
    Impressive list, the level of detail is amazing. Gotta ask though, how much soccer do you watch to get this much information? Genuinely curious.
     
  8. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    Like anyone else, what time permits. I haven't watched any game (at any level) in about three weeks. There are also stretches where I might watch about 25 games in that same stretch. It all about what I have time for, and what I have interest in.

    I don't watch that much soccer outside of youth games anymore. I watch our senior NT, I watch some bigger games in Europe, and I see the some games from American professionals (debuts, important games, the occasional game from most of our good players), but I'm not taking 90 minutes out of my week each week to watch Alfredo Morales or Walker Zimmerman. I have zero interest in doing that. There are people on this website who have a lot more knowledge on those players than I do. To each their own. Everyone has their own interests.

    I also don't tend to watch our better younger players each week once they become professionals, like some do. Some watch Pulisic, Adams, McKennie, Pomykal every week. I don't. I've seen these guys play 20+ times before they get into pro soccer. I have a good idea about their games. I occasionally watch them play to update my views, but thats about it. There are only a few players (the most exciting talents) that I will try to watch on a regular basis in the pro game.

    One of the reasons why I like watching American youth soccer is that I feel like the level of American player is improving. To use the example with Morales or Zimmerman again, I don't have interest watching very average talents who will never be more than journeymen at the highest levels. Our up and coming players have more talent, and I think these players can actually make a dent in Europe and play a higher product of football for our senior NT eventually. American youth soccer is very under-covered. With football or basketball, it's well covered, and you can easily find a list of the best up and coming players. It makes it easier to know what to watch.

    I don't like to take credit because I think anyone would see what I'm seeing, but I was probably the first person anywhere on the internet that was consistently talking about players such as Carleton, Sargent, Araujo, Booth, Las, Pepi, Nyeman, Gomez, and a lot of these bigger talents in the youth pool that we've seen come through our YNT's. I'm sure some of the younger names on the lists I made that I've talked about before (who aren't talked about elsewhere) will be part of the next crop. I don't want any credit for any of this because anyone could see what I'm seeing. I wish American youth soccer was covered better. I would be able to inform myself from the opinions of others without spending my own time doing so, but it's not, so I do it myself, and share my opinion to help out others in forming their own opinions.
     
  9. EDH Highlander

    Sacramento Republic FC
    United States
    Dec 19, 2017
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This is awesome! Love the passion you have for this!

    A couple questions...I'm always interested in the guy who comes out of no where...since you have been doing this have you run into any of those?

    Also, where do you find streams to DA games? That would be fun to watch every now and then.

    Again, great stuff...thanks!

    BTW - fun side note about Coach Tsakiris. My daughter (2009) plays on one of the best NorCal teams and played the team he now coaches...god were they well coached! Really smooth! He is coaching at Los Gatos United now - I guess those parents can afford the big $$$ to bring him in. LOL
     
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  10. Patrick167

    Patrick167 Member+

    Dortmund
    United States
    May 4, 2017
    The Elite Prospects according to @ussoccer97531:

    2001:


    1. Taylor Booth-DM/CM (Bayern Munich)

    2. Julian Araujo-CB (LA Galaxy)

    3. Ulysse Llanez-AM/Wing (VFL Wolfsburg)

    4. Konrad de la Fuente-AM/Wing (FC Barcelona)

    2002

    1. Damian Las-GK (Fulham)

    2. Gio Reyna-AM/Wing (Borussia Dortmund)

    3. Kobe Hernandez-Foster (Unattached)

    4. Joe Scally-RB (NYCFC)

    5. Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (Seattle Sounders)

    2003

    1. Moses Nyeman-AM/Wing (DC United)

    2. Jonathan Gomez-LB (FC Dallas)

    3. Elton Chifamba-DM/CM (Columbus Crew)

    4. Ricardo Pepi-Striker (FC Dallas)

    5. Danny Leyva-DM/CM (Seattle Sounders)

    6. Casey Walls-CB (San Jose Earthquakes)

    7. Mauricio Cuevas-RB (LA Galaxy)

    8. Chris Garcia-AM/Wing (Real Salt Lake)

    9. Samuel Sarver-AM/Wing (Columbus Crew)

    2004

    1. Quinn Sullivan-AM/Wing (Philadelphia Union)

    2. Dantouma Toure-Striker (NYRB)

    3. Brandan Craig-DM/CM (Philadelphia Union)

    4. Antonio Leone-CB (LAFC)

    5. Leo Torres-AM/Wing (San Antonio FC)

    6. Evan Rotundo-AM/Wing (Unattached)

    2005

    1. Nati Clarke-CB (Sporting Kansas City)

    2. Gage Akalu-AM/Wing (Sporting Kansas City)

    3. Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders)

    4. Marcello Mazzola-Striker (Philadelphia Union)

    5. Dominic Dubon-AM/Wing (Philadelphia Union)
     
  11. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    Players always come from nowhere. It’s more likely in the lower age groups because the talent is less concentrated in those age groups. It’s a lot less likely once the players are 18, 19, 20, in my opinion. Some players might improve and become better players, but I wouldn’t consider those players who came from completely off the radar.

    The most recent player to come from nowhere was Fabrizio Bernal. First year in the DA. He played high school ball prior. I had never heard of him prior to seeing him play. Another player I’d look for to maybe emerge from outside the DA is Jalen Calloway.

    Most games I see are links on YouTube or other websites that anyone can access. I also get some games sent to me that aren’t available to the public.
     
  12. focusondev

    focusondev Member

    Barcelona
    United States
    Nov 15, 2019
    Great to hear Coach Tsakiris coaching at the "very" youth level. IMHO that is where the best coaches need to spend a portion of their time... teaching those boys & girls, with high upside potential, the necessary skills before they hit the Academy. You mostly find moms or dads with little to no "true" soccer experience teaching those age groups.
     
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  13. butters59

    butters59 Member+

    Feb 22, 2013
    Contrary I'm absolutely pissed off that Tsakiris coaching G-U9 or whatever while 2Berts & Earnie team "still looking" for youth NT coaches.
     
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  14. EDH Highlander

    Sacramento Republic FC
    United States
    Dec 19, 2017
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    For the record its girls U11. Ya, pretty crazy...LOL.

    Shows a couple problems all at once...parents paying big $$$ for club soccer, and US Soccer losing good coaches. Amazing this guy is now coaching U11 soccer....cool in some regards then I remember the money he must be getting paid!
     
  15. focusondev

    focusondev Member

    Barcelona
    United States
    Nov 15, 2019
    Very true!!!
     
  16. Befuddled

    Befuddled Member

    Swansea City
    United States
    Mar 27, 2019
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think your efforts in putting this together is amazing and quite dedicated. I also think that all lists like this are very subjective, based off what is seen, heard, and I'm sure some bias. I just find it very interesting all of your #1's on your list is part of the TDS Top 150, with the exception of Quinn Sullivan who is not listed as Top 150 for the 2004s. Now TDS is not the end all be all, as I find some of their lists seem computerized or the flavor of the month, but to not be on the their Top 150 is very curious. All your other #1's for the other age groups are. Just an observation.
     
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  17. David Kerr

    David Kerr Member+

    United States
    Oct 18, 2019
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The TDS list has gone down in quality the last couple of years as their budget has decreased but for the older age groups is usually pretty accurate in the top 25/30 players. The younger years are always very bad because there is not much data on them which is why players like Sullivan who is still more of an unknown outside of this website isn't on there yet.
     
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  18. Befuddled

    Befuddled Member

    Swansea City
    United States
    Mar 27, 2019
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I do understand that, but although their budget may have decreased, missing a person entirely as noted as #1 on the list, from not even being in the top 150, seems like they either missed the boat entirely and need different talent evaluators, or Sullivan has improved so much that he is by far the best prospect no one has heard of outside this website. He is not even new to the Union, as he has been at the club since u-12, thus my statement. I'm sure he is a terrific player, but noted as #1 seems like a bit of a stretch.
     
  19. David Kerr

    David Kerr Member+

    United States
    Oct 18, 2019
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    At the younger age groups some players break out at different times. When they only have a couple guys doing the rankings for every age group on top of their other responsibilities they miss a lot for the younger years. Realistically if they let ussoccer scouts do the rankings it would be a lot better. Travis has too much on his plate over at TDS currently and the rankings show it.
     
  20. David Kerr

    David Kerr Member+

    United States
    Oct 18, 2019
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Have you watched any film of Darren Yapi of Colorado Rapids yet? I dove into his film and the kid looks to be a very talented winger for the 04's. He looks to be the best prospect in the Rapids system right now and someone who needs a u17 call up.
     
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  21. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    I’ve only seen him play once. I think there is some ability there (size, athleticism, speed, coordination with the ball), but I don’t know if he has much attacking ability beyond that. That was my initial take on seeing one game of him, so I could be wrong.
     
  22. David Kerr

    David Kerr Member+

    United States
    Oct 18, 2019
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He’s climbed pretty high on my radar lately. He honestly has all the tools you want and he can play as a 9. He was also the only 2004 to get called up to the 2003 camp last september which I think is pretty notable. He’s in my top 10 for an age group that doesn’t have any Pulisic/Reyna talents.
     
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  23. Cibo

    Cibo New Member

    Oct 28, 2019
    @ussoccer97531 Your rankings and rational are very informative and well thought out. How often do you plan to share your updated ranking and observations on this thread?
     
  24. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    It takes a lot of time to make these lists and also to feel like I’ve watched enough of each player to list a player. That’s why I probably won’t release it more than once per year.

    I post what I think from the games I watch in the DA thread and any other threads for youth tournaments that these players take part in at the club level, so you’ll see my opinions there.
     
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  25. David Kerr

    David Kerr Member+

    United States
    Oct 18, 2019
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Every 6 months for me is realistic for each age group if it is kept between 25-30 players in each ranking that highlights the big time players. The combined top 50 should be yearly.

    I've been watching a stupid amount of film lately and would change quite a bit for the younger rankings and I am pretty sure that you would as well.
     
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