YNT-eligible lower division-pro players: 2021 IN-SEASON thread

San Antonio must have a great team if they have no space for him to play regularly.

How about that for your first professional goal?! Take a bow, @leo__torres21 👏#SLCvATX | @RealMonarchs pic.twitter.com/LK4TOuX0RE

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) October 16, 2021

.@leo__torres21 is on 🔥 right now!#SLCvATX | @RealMonarchs pic.twitter.com/rUfAtGSDen

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) October 16, 2021

 

Carrera with NTSC. I don't believe he's played at the USL level yet.

Antonio Carrera makes the NTXSC travel squad. That's new I think. More signs he's going to be signing IMO. pic.twitter.com/aC59NofDuW

— 3rd Degree (@3rdDegreeNet) October 16, 2021

 

I don’t understand FCD’s usage of NTSC. Shouldn’t they be using it for their top up and coming players from their academy?

 

Ladies and gentlemen, @JoseGallegos_17 💪 pic.twitter.com/fzafajOQNR

— San Antonio FC (@SanAntonioFC) October 17, 2021

 

US eligible?

15 years 2 months and 22 days. Fernando Delgado made history yesterday becoming the youngest goalkeeper to play in a professional match. Ever 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FTnLYgRJHe

— Real Monarchs (@RealMonarchs) October 17, 2021

 

Yes, called into the newest U17 camp going on in November.

 

Bagged a brace on Saturday. Team of the Week on Tuesday.

— Real Monarchs (@RealMonarchs) October 19, 2021

 

⏩🥅⏪
Diego Luna strikes again!#ELPvATX #VamosLocos pic.twitter.com/rSQtg1PnzM

— El Paso Locomotive FC (@eplocomotivefc) October 21, 2021

 

Games from last week.

Loudoun: Jacob Greene ('03) has done pretty well in the games I've seen. He's shown the ability to play LB and RB as a left-footed fullback. You don't see that often. Usually, only right-footed fullbacks will play on both sides of the field. He's not great at anything, but he's a very capable all-around player. Given that he's a natural LB, he doesn't need to be elite to have a very good career as a LB (and he can also play RB). I hope he can get some first team minutes next season.

Theodore Ku-Dipietro ('02) was a little weaker than he had been in prior weeks, but he still has a big impact, even when he doesn't play as well as he can. His balance while dribbling is excellent. It allows him to leverage his body and positioning to draw fouls, and to beat players 1v 1. Jace Clark ('05) played the second game of this week at CB. I like his game better at CB than RB. I don't see the technical profile for more than a very average RB. He'll need to get bigger and stronger to play CB, but I don't think he looks out of place at the position IMO. He is limited technically though at either position.

Hartford: Justin Haak ('01) has been pretty good in the games I've seen this season. I find him pretty similar to James Sands as a very dependable, but not very flashy, #6 that does a lot well without being great at anything. Hopefully NYCFC sells Sands this winter, and Haak can start getting some minutes with the first team. I think he's either earned that or a trade to a club that will give him minutes.

Las Vegas: Antonio Leone ('04) played the second half. He had missed the prior two games. I thought he was about average. I think something that is difficult for some of these players and should factor into an assessment of their play is how bad some of these Two teams in USL are that are MLS reserve teams. Las Vegas gave up six goals in this game. It's very hard for a 17 year old defender to develop optimally in a team that is giving up six goals. He could be the best player on the team and not the reason most of these goals are happening (he is one of their best players), but it's still hard to play well and not be under constant threat every few minutes to defend breakaways.

Seattle Sounders: I watched half of one of their games this week. I try to watch all the minutes Reed Baker-Whiting ('05) plays in USL, as he's one of the top prospects in his age group. I have nothing to add, but I did accumulate another half of watching Baker-Whiting (and some of his teammates).

LA Galaxy II: Jalen Neal ('03) once again had two very good games this week. He's so reliable defensively. There's an occasional error (as all defenders make), but his range in defending plays is so tough for attackers to face. He covers so much ground because of it. I also think he's excellent at reading plays. I might've underrated this part of his game previously, and I thought it was good. He's almost always in position, and he often is making one or two steps in any direction to intercept the ball before it gets to the player it was intended for. I thought Cameron Dunbar ('02) was a little better in the final third during this week. He's still only at 2G, 2A in 813 USL minutes, which is mediocre, although USL stats aren't always a great barometer. He did have 1G and 1A against El Paso.

Austin: Casey Walls ('03) had two quieter games during this week. Gilbert Fuentes ('02) has started to earn some more minutes, and I think thats because his play is improving. He looks like he's adjusting to the pace of the pro game a little quicker now. He scored a nice goal from the top of the box off a corner kick. Hopefully he can continue to play well because he does have some talent as a #10.

Real Monarchs: Leo Torres ('04) is starting to figure out USL. He scored two goals against Austin, including one great strike. If he can add end product to his craftiness in creating chances, he could be really good.

Fernando Delgado ('06) wasn't out of place in his pro debut. His ability with his feet is better than I previously thought. I think I said it was average (or not much better than that) before. I would upgrade it to good or close to very good. It's a a real asset, although I wouldn't say he's elite in this part of the game. Physically, he held up to the pro game better than I expected. His ability in the air has been a problem against players his own age. That is less due to his size (he's about average size for a GK his age), and more due to hesitancy in claiming balls in the air. He was able to effectively punch away a few aerial balls on set pieces. You'd prefer that he catch it, but thats better than coming for the ball and missing. He didn't face that much work (and he was red-carded late in the game for a scuffle started by the other team), but he showed well in his pro debut.

El Paso: Diego Luna ('03) continues to play extremely well. He's effective in USL without being able to beat players with pace. He's very deceptive and has a very good soccer IQ. I don't know how well this'll translate to higher levels, but it might. His soccer IQ may just be that good. He also is excellent technically without being overly creative. When he has a chance to score in a good position, his placement is accurate. He doesn't misfire on many passes either. Brooklyn Raines ('05) got his debut coming on at the end of the game. He was playing RW, so he was used out of position, and had only 1 or 2 touches. Hopefully he plays more in upcoming weeks.

Cole Turner ('01) played another good game from what I saw. I continue to think he's currently a player that should be getting regular MLS minutes. Philly Union have to figure out how to either get him minutes next season or trade him to a team where he will get minutes. He doesn't benefit much from USL. Diego Garcia ('06) also came on for his debut, like Raines. I believe Garcia is the second youngest player to play in USL this season. He's an October '06. He came on to play CAM. He didn't get that many touches, but I thought he looked pretty good for a kid that just turned 15 in his pro debut (he turned 15 the day of his pro debut). He showed good energy, and showed comfort on the ball, and in making good decisions.

 

I didn’t watch the game yet, but looking through lineup and stats, Dewsnup with nine saves including a penalty kick. Wellings made the bench for the first time for Real Monarchs. He may be the top player in the ‘06 age group nationally.

 

The cross from @jonathang_42.
The finish from @CameronPL.

What. A. Goal. 😈 pic.twitter.com/T8N91lwCOD

— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc) October 24, 2021

 

He may be starting in MLS by now if NYCFC had a reserve team in recent seasons.

.@lvlightsfc's Alex Rando is now up to 122 saves this season, only eight short of the Championship's single-season record.

He's potentially got one more game to go after this against the @TampaBayRowdies next weekend. #OCvLV #VivaLights https://t.co/uRaPA0qc9h

— Nicholas Murray (@NJEMurray) October 24, 2021

 

A preview of the top two players on my year-end best seasons in USL list (by YNT-eligible players.)

JoGo vs. Memphis:

🟣 Assist
🟣 Two key passes
🟣 Three interceptions
🟣 Six recoveries

All good to earn @jonathang_42 Team of the Week honors! 👏 pic.twitter.com/uFBD6leu31

— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc) October 26, 2021

Career high 9 saves including the PK stop. JDews was on 🔥

— Real Monarchs (@RealMonarchs) October 26, 2021

 

Louisville academy complex looks sweeeeeeeeeeeeet. Very much looks like the FCD complex in Frisco. This club could transition to MLS quickly (finances aside).

They don't make too many like this place. 😍

Great to see *every* field in use over the weekend with pros training beside our youth tournament. pic.twitter.com/UPxDZHyr6l

— Louisville City FC Academy (@LouCityAcademy) October 27, 2021

 

This is Jude Wellings professional debut!! https://t.co/dlXZwm52kb

— Real Monarchs (@RealMonarchs) October 28, 2021

 

I'm happy to see RSL look like they are still working hard on the Academy side. It makes a lot of strategic sense for them in the sense that they will never be a big market club.

But on the other hand, so much of their success seemed wrapped up in Arizona, that I wondered if they'd get the players they needed situated in Utah. Seems like they are doing okay.

 

Games from last week.

Loudoun: Jeremy Garay ('03) is not a bad player. He's just caught up in the depth that the '03 age group has. I think he'll be able to contribute as a very basic #6 to DC United's first team within the next year or two. He doesn't do anything that great, but also doesn't do anything poorly. Jonathan Mennell ('03) has good size and reflexes at GK, but the rest of his game needs a lot of work IMO. Xavier O'Neil ('04) has been very passive in his play with Loudoun. I thought he looked like a good 1v1 winger with the academy teams, so while the level is higher, he needs to start playing more aggressively.

Theodore Ku-DiPietro ('02) didn't have his best game and he missed a penalty, but he's dangerous every game. While missing a penalty isn't good, he drew it by fooling a defender. Jackson Hopkins ('04) had a shot cleared off the line once again in spectacular fashion. He should have about five goals right now, and has one. He's been pretty unlucky with some great defense/goalkeeping getting in the way of shots that should be resulting in goals. I think it'll level out next season, and he'll have a big season scoring around 10 goals in USL. He will likely be one of DC United's next homegrown signings IMO.

NYRB II: I thought this was the best game I've seen Curtis Ofori ('05) play yet at either the pro or academy level. His defensive attentiveness looked much better than what I had previously seen. He had a lot of interceptions, and was often well-positioned. Offensively, he added a little to the attack, but it's not a strength. Daniel Edelman ('03) didn't have his best game, but its hard to not be a fan of the way he plays. He saved a goal with an acrobatic clearance on Hopkin's attempt to put the rebound in after Ku-DiPietro missed a PK. It was a great effort play, and the type of play you see a lot with Edelman. Absolutely fearless player. He's contributed a few times to scoring/keeping goals out this season by making these types of plays.

LA Galaxy: Jalen Neal ('03) didn't have his best week of games (two). He wasn't as sharp as he normally is. He wasn't terrible, and I wouldn't put him mostly at fault for any goals, but he could've done better and usually does in a few situations he didn't play too well. One goal he bit for a fake that he never bites on. The CB shouldn't be put in that spot to defend right in the center of the box 1v1 with no help, but he usually does better there. Another play he got caught in-between trying to defend two defenders, and didn't defend either. You expect the other CB to cover one of them, so it was a tough situation to defend, but you have to do something. You can't be caught in-between the two.

Marcus Ferkranus ('03) had the much better week of games than Neal. He actually was probably more at fault for that second goal than Neal, but the balance of play was a lot better during the week (aside from that play) than Neal. He also contributed a very nice assist with a pass over the top that played the striker in on goal. I think he may be more athletic than I thought, and I've previously noted that his athleticism is very underrated. He's like 6'2, but pretty fast, and very physical. He wins everything in the air, as well. He's not the athlete that Neal is (few are), but he's a very good athlete IMO.

Johnny Perez ('03) has really picked it up in the second half of this season, and is starting to play like he did last season. He's so crafty, very good technically, and more athletic than he looks. I think it'd be beneficial to see if we can add him to the USYNT pool. I think we will be losing a quality player to let him play for Mexico.

El Paso: Diego Luna ('03) scored a great goal, and he played a great game off the bench. I find it so hard to judge his game. What he's done this season is great. He's been one of the best young players in USL this season, but trying to assess this in a pragmatic manner, he's exactly the type of player I don't think translates well going up to higher levels. He's earned a chance though, and could prove me wrong. I admit this is a tough read. The soccer IQ and technique is very good, as is his consistency this season (and the season before), but the rest is worrying IMO.

Austin: I thought Casey Walls ('03) had his best game of the season in the second game of the week. The first game of the week he came on to play LWB, and had nearly no involvement. The second game he was playing CB, and made a number of nice interceptions. I think he actually does read the game pretty well defensively. If he gives defenders some space, he'll defend plays well because he anticipates attacker actions well. He can be reactive, he doesn't need to be proactive. When he plays like this, his defending is a strength. He needs to be more consistent with his positioning and how far he pushes up. This is by far the biggest weakness in his game, but in this game he did pretty well with realizing his limits.

Tacoma: Alex Villanueva ('02) was great. He's really starting to emerge as one of the top young players in USL. His ability to defend has improved so much from last season. There are situations he recognizes how to defend now that last season would've resulted in a goal (or a good shot on goal). The offensive game was there last season, and he's only improved in how good he is going forward. He can control a game from the full-back position offensively, which you don't see a lot. I think he needs a first team contract. A player of this caliber cannot be playing in USL for another season.

Cody Baker ('04), on the other hand, isn't adapting that well to RB. I don't think he's done too bad, performance-wise, but I don't think the position suits him well. His game is about his soccer IQ and how he reads plays defensively. Making him into a runner (which is his role in this 3-4-3) takes away his strengths. He's not doing a bad job, but he's clearly not a RB/RWB IMO. Seattle has this problem a lot with Tacoma. They were using Baker-Whiting out of position for a lot of the season due to having too many CM's (Baker is another one). They need to figure out a better rotation that has these kids playing regularly in positions they play well instead of forcing them into positions that don't suit their game.

Louisville: Jonathan Gomez ('03) had another MOTM performance. He delivered a very nice assist, and then drew a penalty with another great play of leveraging body positioning. His soccer IQ is elite, and he probably has some of the best fundamentals for a young American fullback I've ever seen. He's not even a natural LB. He switched to the position 3-4 years ago, and his fundamentals are tremendous. It's instincts and soccer IQ IMO. Some guys can adapt very well and very quickly to new positions due to those areas of the game, and Gomez has.

Real Monarchs: Jeff Dewsnup had a MOTM performance. He made a lot of difficult saves, but what's so impressive about a game like this where I think he had 9 saves is how easy he makes it look. He's never under any pressure with any of it, and it never seems like any of this is difficult for him. There's another gear he can play at, if needed, IMO. This is part of why I think he's our highest potential young goalkeeper. He finally allowed a goal in stoppage time (he nearly won them the game almost on his own), but the goal was due to poor defending by the LB that the attacker pounced on quickly.

 

I wanted to elaborate on a point from above that I didn't have time to earlier when I was writing that up.

The more I assess goalkeepers the more I've learned how important efficiency in movement is. Even among some of the better young GK's in the system, a lot of them are very inefficient and are constantly making extra work for themselves. I think RSL has done a really good job with this. I'd suggest their GK coach should probably get a promotion to a job better than RSL because you can see he's done an excellent job with some of these kids.

Let's start with Dewsnup. The reason why I think he has elevated to the best young GK in the system is because he has shown a great understanding this season of not doing more than he needs to. He has the flashy tools of reflexes, playing out of the back, and good size for the position. However, he doesn't try to do anything too acrobatic or flashy that the situation doesn't call for. He will only do so when needed. He's not relying on that because his GK technique for the position has become superior. He's not needing to constantly scramble over to cover an initial positioning mistake. You rarely see the extra gear from Dewsnup because he doesn't put himself into the position that some of these other young GK's do where they need to try these Hollywood saves.

I heard David Ochoa talk recently about trying to play a hectic style, and while I am not a pro GK or GK coach, that explained to me why I think Ochoa may be stagnating. The best GK's are the ones that don't need to bail themselves out time after time. The best GK's are the ones that are ready for the shots they face when the shot is taken because of what they work on every day, and becomes muscle-memory in how they approach a given attacking chance for the other team. Dewsnup has improved significantly in this area IMO during 2020, and has carried it forward to 2021.

It's not only Dewsnup. I think Gavin Beavers is the most fundamentally technically sound of the 2005 goalkeepers around the country. I think we've started to see a big improvement in Fernando Delgado's game in this area. The first few games I saw of him this was an issue (he initially came from Barca in Arizona), and I compared him to Ochoa. However, it looks like he may be learning in a way that Ochoa hasn't, which I think bodes well for his career. Blake Kelly may be the most fundamentally sound of the 2006 keepers nationally. I don't know if he has the upside that some of these others have, but he's able to step into USL games at 15 and hold his own because he's not trying to do too much.

What separates keepers at this level is almost always their efficiency in their fundamentals of the technical elements of the GK position. RSL does a really good job of teaching that IMO. You see it watching these keepers from game to game. I don't think it's a coincidence that they are producing the best GK's in the country, and I say that as the GK's after Ochoa because he seems to depart significantly from what they are teaching. This is another example I'm seeing of why coaching matters.

 

We need to start seeing Houston use their academy players. Palomino from what I’ve seen this season looks ready for regular MLS minutes.

I hit on Jake Areman this week, but @marcelopalo is another key cog at the heart of this @Independence team that enables the dynamite front three. His sense of tempo in the central pair is so good; he innately knows when to launch teammates into attack or recycle possession. pic.twitter.com/trbnknmS5V

— John Morrissey (@USLTactics) October 30, 2021

 

He’s due a few goals IMO.

This teamwork from @jeremygaray10, @tkudipietro and @Jackson52929709. 👌#LDNvNY pic.twitter.com/QvbGwK8C6B

— Loudoun United FC (@LoudounUnitedFC) October 30, 2021

 

Daniel Edelman gets in on the fun!

1-3 | #LDNvNY | #NYRBII pic.twitter.com/EGrC9CNEtq

— New York Red Bulls II (@NYRBII) October 30, 2021

 

Great first pro season for this guy ! Jeff Dewsnup ends the 2021 USL season with:
23 USL starts
4 Save Of The Week wins (league wide…unreal stat)
1 Team Of The Week
RSL Game Day Roster
US U20 Reserve Roster Selection November Camp - His time will come -
One to watch for sure …..

 

LAG II collapsed at the end of the season, and missed the playoffs. If not LAG II, I was hoping Tacoma would make it. Instead, Oakland (that has almost no young prospects) took the last spot. No MLS Two teams ended up making the playoffs. Will any of them continue in USL next season? This might’ve been the last games of the experiment of MLS reserve teams in USLC and USL L1.

I’ve watched some of the unofficial reserve games that MLS teams are playing against each other. I think the level is a little lower, although not terribly. What I find to be the biggest difference is right now the production value is nonexistent. It’s like watching a U-17 game. MLS and their teams needs to hire announcers, camera crews, and provide better facilities for these games. Attendance is another issue. MLS needs to put money into this venture, and now it looks like they are officially on the clock as we should see the next set of games for these MLS Two teams in the new U-23 league that MLS will be running.

 

Assist for '03 Diego Luna, his fifth of the season https://t.co/PpoRVV00zh

— We Are Being Overrun in Midfield (@OverrunMidfield) November 1, 2021

 

I wasn't able to get to these three games within the last few weeks that I wanted to watch, but went back and watched them. There's one more week of regular season games I have to watch, which I hope I can get done by the end of this week.

Atlanta II: Caleb Wiley ('04) unfortunately still has the same defensive problems I've been seeing all season. It's a lot of what the Bello defensive concerns looked like about two years ago, and Bello has improved, so it can be done. He is also a very good athlete. Fast and quick. He's capable of using his athletic advantages in all areas of the field. If he gets the defensive part of the game figured out, he could be a really good LB due to his athleticism. He needs another year of USL games to improve his defense. Bello likely isn't ready to leave either. In 2023, I think he should be able to step in and take over for Bello, who hopefully is sold to Europe by then.

Luke Brennan ('05) got his USL debut. He was playing at RW. He didn't do too bad, but thats about it. He wasn't that involved in the game. Combined well a few times in the attack, but wasn't involved much. Daniel Sebhatu ('05) similarly wasn't involved much in the attack. Atlanta didn't have much of the ball, and he's the CF, so thats part of the reason why. He's doing a better job lately of holding the ball up, which I think is important to his continued development as a CF.

Louisville: Joshua Wynder ('05) didn't play bad. He was partially at fault for a goal, but it wasn't too bad. The usual big CB can't keep up with quick combinations in his penalty box by smaller players. Some of his teammates also were at fault. Aside from that, he had a quiet game, which isn't bad for a CB. I think he's a good prospect, but he's a very boring player. A big left-footed CB that can pass the ball is valuable, but thats his main value, and aside from being 6'5, he doesn't hold much else value. He's average across the board, aside from slightly above-average movement and passing for the position. Next season, we should see him start regularly, and then maybe a transfer to MLS (or Europe) can become an option, if he plays well.

Loudoun (this game was against Tampa Bay to distinguish the games): I'm starting to think Jackson Hopkins ('04) is a Thomas Muller type of player. No real position, but he's a good finisher, so you get him on the field somewhere in the attack. He didn't score in this game, but he had a strike in this game that barely missed an extremely difficult finish and it was good instincts to find space and get the shot off quickly. Theodore Ku-DiPietro ('02) is so influential. He's one of the most creative players in the YNT system. I'm worried though that he doesn't yet have a contract from DC United. I don't want him to be stuck in USL next season.

Jace Clark ('05) was playing RCB in this game, and as I've said before, I think he's much better as a CB than a RB. RCB in a back 3 might be the best solution. He did well in this game, and is an asset offensively when he can carry the ball, which he does at RCB, yet isn't tasked with a real offensive role (which the RB should be) because technically, he's pretty weak. With his speed though, he carries the ball out from the back, and transports it forward at RCB. I think he'll be back with the reserves next season, and I'd like to see him continue to get stronger, so he could try to play CB permanently. I think he's capable of it.