I think some missed the question I was posing. The individual names don't matter. I was using an example. If you prefer to discuss this without examples, we don't have a sustainable professional pathway for kids that come through lower division academies. The development system in this country is improving with how MLS is developing and selling players, but you can't rely solely on MLS. This is a huge inefficiency. Are we at the point where all that matters are the kids in MLS academies and if you aren't at one you may be the Dempsey or Turner outlier eventually but you otherwise have no real shot to be the next Ledezma or Aaronson? There are so many great players in world football that came through the academy of a lower division club. It's just not possible to expect all the good players in this country to be in academies of first division clubs. What if a player lives in the Phoenix area or the Detroit area? Do you tell them they have to move to another state hundreds of miles from home to have a good chance at having a career like any of these young players on the NT? It's true that they can skip pro soccer in this country altogether and sign in Europe, if they have that type of interest, but that can't be viewed as a sustainable path for these kids. Something has to be done in cooperation between MLS and lower-division clubs to create the same platform that the MLS academy kids get. Lower-division clubs also need to do a better job of selling these kids. Currently, I don't see the pathway for these kids. I'm not a big Gallegos fan, but how can we view Gallegos playing at San Antonio FC at nearly age 20 as anything other than a system failure? Generally speaking, I don't know how we could say that Gallegos and kids like him have anything other than a worse chance at making it at the top level due to that their families lives in an area without an MLS academy.
Another star in the @USLChampionship is rising.🇺🇸 Diego Luna (17) this season for El Paso:☑️ 8 starts⚽️ 4 goals🅰️ 2 assists🔥 3 matchwinning goals🔑 1.4 key passes per game☝️ One loss in 13 appearancesExciting CAM prospect that has an eye on a Euro move one day. pic.twitter.com/BSwSnkYW0N— Football Wonderkids (@fbwonderkids) July 29, 2021
.@kingyaya37 doubles our lead within a minute of being on the field!! 💥#SwitchbacksFC pic.twitter.com/GjrkGV2MRt— Switchbacks FC (@SwitchbacksFC) August 1, 2021 Gallegos with SAFC’s third goal of the night off a quick counter play!!#Defend210 pic.twitter.com/JQzHot4G32— San Antonio FC (@SanAntonioFC) August 1, 2021
Considering the pressures that come with the Goalkeeper position, and the reliance of the team on the player in goal, at this point of the season Dewsnup has to be a front runner for USL young player of the year. Dewsnup got his first starts this season at 16. He’s a two time “Save of the Week” winner with half the season left. He’s had zero errors that have cost his team goals or points..and he’s approaching 30 saves for the season. He’s proving to be a very poised, consistent goalkeeper in a very challenging league.
😤 DIEGO LUNA 😤#ELPvSA | @eplocomotivefc pic.twitter.com/7K8MtdEBvu— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) August 5, 2021 Since June, 17-year-old attacking mid Diego Luna has 5 goals and 2 assists in under 800 USL minutes for El Paso, and could have had higher totals in both.Building a case for the next US U20s and showing that independent USL clubs can contribute to USYNTs.— ChuckMe92 Soccer (@ChuckMe92Soccer) August 5, 2021
He was in the Earthquakes academy prior to Barca AZ; I’d assume the Quakes would have them. It seems that he's open to a move abroad. https://quakesepicenter.com/2021/06/12/quakes-academy-alum-starring-for-el-paso-in-usl/
He's too good for USL. He outplayed Gallegos again, last night. His vision, ball control and passing, are a higher level, than most players, in the the USL Championship.
I’m starting to agree, but I’m still not convinced his fitness level is good enough for success in a better league. He’s not guaranteed Cuauhtemoc Blanco. A lot of players like him struggle with a fast, high pressing, athletic game. I think he’s earned a chance though at a higher level, but improving that would help his chance for success.
Games from last week. Louisville: In the first of two games, Jonathan Gomez ('03) was pretty quiet. I wouldn't say he played bad, but not as active as usual. I think he's likely getting tired from his first full season as an every game starter. His level of performance hasn't been as consistent. The second game of the week he didn't start. He came off the bench, and was great. Drew a penalty, didn't put a foot wrong, and caused a lot of havoc. The play that caused the penalty was an incredibly good sequence from Gomez, but none of it was fancy. Most his age would over-complicate it. Joshua Wynder ('05) started the second game of the week. I think my initial assessment of him was slightly off. He's a better player than I initially thought. His defensive game at CB isn't bad. He was able to recognize danger at a pretty quick pace. He didn't look out of place. I also continue to think he's an above-average passer of the ball. That is a strength of his. Being 6'3 doesn't hurt either. He's lanky and has slightly above-average. As I've said before, his aerial ability is really weak for a player his size at CB. I think that he probably doesn't yet contest aerial challenges with enough strength yet. He needs to get stronger to be able to contest with more force. Loudoun United: Jackson Hopkins ('04) got his debut late on in the first game of the week, and then played a second game where he a few more minutes. He was playing as a secondary striker/CAM in both games, but he plays that role more like a secondary striker IMO. He's capable of playing as a CF, SS/CAM, or as a #8. He could even be a #6 eventually. He's a technical player with good size, he gets himself into good attacking positions, and finishes chances well. He nearly scored a nice goal in the second game, but the keeper made a good save. He was taking the corners. Not much else you can take from these games, but he's starting to get some minutes. I think he, like Aboukoura and Walz, is part of the next wave of potential HG signings for DC United. Las Vegas: Alex Rando ('01) had another good performance. Antonio Leone ('04) also did, and you can tell he's getting more comfortable with the level than earlier in the season because now he's being more aggressive with his passing. Erik Duenas ('04) again was used out of position. There was an opportunity to play him at RWB with Gaines out of the lineup, but he came in at halftime to play as a RW. I don't understand it. Cherundolo has done a good job coaching this team so far this season, but this is the one decision I'd significantly criticize. Orange County: Kobi Henry ('04) wasn't that bad at CB, but I've not seen much improvement in his game in the last year or two. He's still not very good building from the back or that reliable defensively. Is he going to stay with Orange County for another season or is he going to Europe? He turns 18 in April. He moved from Inter Miami to Orange County at the same time they signed a few players they claimed they'd move on to Europe eventually. Tacoma: I watched the end of this game because Cody Baker ('04) was given a few minutes. He was subbed in at LB towards the end of the game. He didn't have much involvement. He's not a LB, but this guy has a lot of versatility. I've now seen him used as a CB, LB, RB, and DM. He could probably also play as a #8. NYRB: Daniel Edelman ('03) played very well. One of his best games of the season. He was probably MOTM, although he was called for a penalty that led to a goal. It wasn't a penalty (terrible call by the ref), and the disagreements about this nearly led to a brawl. Edelman is pretty chippy. He didn't take the bad call in stride. Jake LaCava ('01) also played well, but he's very snakebite. A lot of the chances he's creating are missed by teammates or blocked when he has a good chance to shoot. He's not been as good as last season or I expected he'd play this season, but I don't think he's bee as bad as the stats would indicate. Austin: Casey Walls ('03) got a half for Austin. He probably put one foot wrong, stepping up a little too much, and then the other team executed a great through ball that led to the keeper thing down the striker for a PK. It was unlucky that his one half-mistake was punished. It rarely is at this level, but I wouldn't have too pessimistic of an outlook on how he played, even though he did contribute significantly to a goal against. He played very well, aside from that. He won a few challenges, and his passing is great. He might be the best passer of the ball at CB that we have of any age. He's also left-footed. He's going to be really good. I continue to think that Walls is a better player and long-term prospect than a number of the 03's that are doing well in MLS. Real Monarchs: Jeff Dewsnup ('04) had another game in goal where he doesn't break a sweat. Everything is made to look so easy. His decisions and execution is excellent in almost every part of the game, and this is rarely done under any stress in doing so. He only made a few saves, but it was a good all-around performance. Can he challenge Ochoa next season? I don't know if he'll be given the chance, but Dewsnup has been better this season in USL than Ochoa was last season, and it wasn't that close.
Aiden Benitez '07 will be signing an academy contract with Indy Eleven. I doubt that he plays, but its good that he works in a professional environment.
NISA kicked off their fall season earlier today with Cal United Strikers beating Michigan Stars 4-3 with '01 Robert Juncaj subbing in scoring one for Michigan while '03 Alejandro Arenada and '04 Brady Trenian got some minutes for Cal United Strikers. Here's a list of all thread eligible players to my knowledge. California United Strikers MF Alejandro Araneda '03 LB Brady Treinen '04 MF Shane Kaemerle '04 Chattanooga FC (Amateur Deal) DF Angel Hurtado '02 (Amateur Deal) MF Ricardo Bahena '02 (Amateur Deal) GK Michael Barrueta '03 (Amateur Deal) MF Damian Rodriguez ?? Chicago House AC (Cap-tied to Puerto Rico) DF Rodolfo Sulia '01 MF Damon Almazan '01 MF Leonardo Acosta '02 LA Force MF Erik Hernandez '03 Michigan Stars RB Robert Juncaj '01 New Amsterdam FC AM James Baculima '04 GK Aldo Munoz '03 San Diego 1904 FC MF Diego Esquivel '03 MF Ivan Garduno '02 DF Jomar Munaf '02 MF Gael Ruiz '02
The lead USL announcing crew gave Gomez the mid season Defender of the Year award. There’s no official mid season award, but he could win the full season. During last nights @USLChampionship match we discussed mid-season awards, have at em: @RGVFC Wilmer Cabrera ✅@AustinBoldFC Elliot Panicco 💪@loucityfc Jonathan Gomez 🙌@PHXRisingFC /@SwitchbacksFC Asante/Barry 😎#ThereCanBeOnlyOne #USLonESPN #COTY #GKOTY #DOTY #MVP pic.twitter.com/Ozs6fqlr8f— Devon Kerr (@DevonKerr9) August 5, 2021
Another Gomez assist. Absolutely electric from Ownby. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VKsGouY6Gv— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc) August 8, 2021
Denton Diablos (a northern suburb of DFW) won the NPSL championship last night. They have a bunch of DFW guys people may know. Former youth yank abroad Alex Molano being one. One of the guys I like watching is '02 defender Brock Pope, These aren't guys who are likely to be on our radars, but a fun team nonetheless. .@NPSLSoccer National CHAMPS. The @DentonDiablos hoist their trophy after a 6-2 win over Tulsa Athletic pic.twitter.com/yOSEAxteiw— 🅿️atrick Hayslip (@PatrickHayslip) August 8, 2021
Tyler Wolff with the quickest goal in #ATLUTD2 history ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/zqcALptDYk— ATL UTD 2 (@atlutd2) August 8, 2021 Tyler Wolff is wasting no time tonight 😅That's ✌️ in the first six minutes!! pic.twitter.com/5GLLOyykOK— ATL UTD 2 (@atlutd2) August 8, 2021 Tyler Wolff, hat trick hero 🤩 pic.twitter.com/TDiTj5ROCd— ATL UTD 2 (@atlutd2) August 9, 2021
Indy Eleven signs four youth players to USL Academy contracts, including 14-year-old Aiden Benitez, the youngest such signing in USL Championship historyhttps://t.co/dBFA8xwqH0— SoccerWire (@TheSoccerWire) August 10, 2021
Highly deserved honor for our Homegrown 🙌Tyler Wolff is the @USLChampionship Player of the Week!— ATL UTD 2 (@atlutd2) August 10, 2021
Make history ✅— Real Monarchs (@RealMonarchs) August 10, 2021 Stepping up and putting it away Marcelo Palomino! 👏#NYvCLT | @Independence pic.twitter.com/z63gC0f9u7— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) August 11, 2021
This could clear a spot for Loudoun's two highest rated metric players in teenagers Ted Ku-Dipietro and Jeremy Garay. Also Jacob Greene would benefit. No shortage of talent in DC's system. Source: Kevin Paredes being tracked by Champions League (via @MLSMultiplex) https://t.co/g14QPtRfal— Kristian Dyer (@KristianRDyer) August 12, 2021