YNT-Eligible MLS Players ('01-Younger) 2022-23 Offseason Thread

1996 is just a horrible year, as we all know.


1995 isn't too bad. It's a little bit interesting that the odd years tended to be better than the even years in the lost generations.




1994, like 1996, is pretty terrible.


I think another point you could make is that the 1992 to 1996 years were so bad that MLS was unable to grow too much as a league because there just weren't enough Americans who could play at a high level, and the league would have become too Anti-American. You can see that in 1994's 2017 year - pretty good with 21k minutes at 23, but it's a lot of guys who aren't MLS caliber anymore. The top 10 are Marlon Hairston, Alex Bono, Brandon Vincent, Nick Lima, Jordan Morris, Jake Nerwinski, Kyle Fisher, Alex Crognale, Dillon Serna, and Nathan Smith.

 

Thanks for doing this, please keep it up... and it's definitely helpful when you list some of the main guys in each age group, that stuff is hard to remember.

 

The variations in when MLS minutes peak is interesting.

For the 1994s it happened at age 23.

For the 1995s at age 27 (and may show an additional rise this season).

For the 1996s at age 25.

For the 1997s maybe at age 24.

Each year is unique of course. But the 1997s are unusual by a number of measures. One is the unprecedented jump in minutes from their age 23 season to their age 24 season. Another is the stagnation in their age 23 minutes, down slightly from their age 22 minutes. Their age 22 numbers are higher than the other birthyears but not off the charts.

 

Their age 23 season was 2020, so less minutes to go around from less games due to COVID. That'll mess up data for years to come.

 

I was wondering if the number of minutes was affected by expansion as well. It should be fairly straightforward to normalize the data to number of games played.

 

So there are two MLS academy kids in the current U20 camp who are currently college soccer players.

Roald Mitchell (03), So. F, Wake Forest - NY Red Bulls
Nick Pariano (03), Jr. M, Duke - Philadelphia Union

And there were 2 similar players at this month's U19 camp.

Kamran Acito (04), Fr. D, Duke - NYCFC
Sam Williams (05), Fr. M, North Carolina - NY Red Bulls.

Previously, in U20 or U19 camps this cycle, there have been 3 current college soccer players from MLS academies.

KyMani Dade (04), Fr. GK, Loyola Marymount - LA Galaxy (did not play as a freshman), U20
Tarun Karumanchi (03), Fr. M, UCLA - San Jose Earthquakes, U20
Jayvin Van Deventer (04), Fr. M, Northwestern - Sporting Kansas City, U20

I'm curious if anyone knows any scuttlebutt about any of these guys going pro this winter, either in MLS, NextPro, USL or abroad and if they'd be willing to share. I can't imagine teams preferring to leave top prospects, which you have to assume USYNT kids are, in college for too long and would rather get them in a pro environment.

(With the caveat being we know nothing about the players' individual educational aspirations.)

*There is also one current college player who was called into a U19 camp who was not from an MLS academy; Wake Forest Fr. D Sam Jones (04), who is from Portsmouth, VA, three hours from the nearest MLS academy. He was called into a U19 camp. Would presumably be a GA candidate in the next couple of seasons.

 

I believe Sam was in the Philadelphia Union academy so would qualify for a HG

 

There have been rumors that Mitchell would have been signed this winter. Presumably, if he's not, it's his own/family's choice. He's a very good prospect. A+ tier athlete, which probably would lead many to call him raw, but he isn't that raw.




Personally, I hope the kid signs as soon as possible..

 

Made in the 513. 🔶🔷#FCCincy sign Homegrown goalkeeper Paul Walters.

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) January 20, 2023

 

Looks like '03 Moses Nyeman is in camp with Real Salt Lake. Unless there's a different "Nyeman" who would be starting a preseason game.

#RSL starting XI vs. LAFC

Tomas Gómez

Hidalgo - Silva - Holt - Mensah

Ojeda - Nyeman

Jacquesson - Kreilach - Meram

Julio

— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) January 21, 2023

Would make a lot of sense since Beveren and RSL have shared ownership.

 

Confirmation:

Moses Nyeman is a 19-year-old “Non-Roster Invitee” from Blitzer-owned club SK Beveren. 5-5 defensive midfielder. Came up through D.C. United Academy. https://t.co/Po5yHeyTgz

— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) January 21, 2023

 

That would be a good opportunity for Nyeman.
I'm not quite sure why it isn't working out at Beveren, but it isn't.
Sometimes it just comes down to other guys in the squad playing well.
That seems likely as they're tied at the top of the Belgian 2nd division, with a good shot at being promoted.

 

yup.

Ngoma injured again. It’s a real concern with this guy, or so I’ve heard

It’s a shame. He is very talented

 

Are there streams for any preseason games? Haven't seen any so far.

 

Not that I know of. The Coachella Valley Invitational may have some...

 

Per Glenn Crooks, all MLS tans are required to do a biweekly MLS Next Pro report and a monthly MLS Next report for Apple TV.

They well be hyped and positive, but still pretty cool.

 

RSL '04 CB Jaziel Orozco gets loaned to Santos Laguna.

https://www.wasatch.soccer/post/2023-02-02/40/jaziel-orozco-loaned-santos-laguna

Gotta say the move is pretty inexplicable from RSL's perspective but could be an opportunity for Orozco. I'd be surprised if he broke into Santos' first team but stranger things have happened.

 

I guess we've technically moved past offseason? Atencio played a very competent 70' for the Sounders at the Club World Cup at the #6.

 

What happened to Vargas? Guessing Atencio and Leyva keeping him out of the 18?

 

Only midfielder Obed Vargas is unable for selection due to a right quad strain…

— Jayda Evans (@JaydaEvans) February 3, 2023

 

Schmetzer said it was unrelated. For what it's worth, Sciaretta reported the u-20s requested Vargas's release for their camp and the Sounders said no.