YNT-Eligible Next Pro Players: 2023 In-Season Thread

How quickly will the NP rosters turn over? Will the level stabilize after a few years and the 18 year olds in the team are in their early 20's?

 

So far the turnover seems extremely rapid. Like most lower league sides the contracts are short and players and teams are constantly looking for better options.

It’s hard to say if things will level out. If it’s a consistent pipeline to MLS for all players, not just teenagers, and the salaries are competitive with USL, you could see consistency begin to develop. If there’s no real future for the 20-26 year olds playing in the league they’ll probably bail to USL where they can play in front of crowds.

MLSNP players being eligible for the draft in certain situations makes things interesting as well.

 

I watched the NYCFC - Huntsville match, which included a 4 goal comeback from NYCFC to win 4-3.

Alexander Hauschild (06) made his MLSNP debut - he’s the U17 captain and is a tall and technical CB, though lacking strength and reaction speed at this level. He’s left footed which instantly jumps him up a few levels as well.

Though it was a rough night for him, Alex Yagudayev (06) got his third straight start between the posts. I believe he has been called to the Russian YNTs before

 

Must be eligible for Israel with that surname as well.

 

What are they doing in Portland...

I’m pretty sure Noah has or is in the process of getting his Portuguese passport so he is able to move abroad at 16. Given how uninterested Portland is in signing academy players, it’s understandable. https://t.co/JSMk79kS2b

— Marcus Chairez (@chai_asc) June 11, 2023

 

NYCFC’s Alexander Yagudayev (06) has climbed to 2nd in MLSNP for G-xG among GKs. He’s got fewer minutes than any of the other top 5. It’s still a small sample, just 25 shots faced. Watching him he’s got great reflexes and he’s already got a professional GK’s frame. I think he’s won the spot full time from Alex Rando. He did give up a penalty in the match for taking out a striker but the penalty was missed. He’s got a record of being a good shot stopper at the youth level too.

Along with Yagudayev, YNT candidates Christian McFarlane (07), Jonathan Shore (07), and Julian Hall (08) all played in the Hudson River Derby Jr. Nothing really notable from any of them. McFarlane continues to match up physically with much larger defenders. Hall plays a lot older than he is, very interesting forward prospect.

 

I wonder how much of his G-xG is the 0.79 from the missed penalty. Interesting prospect either way when you have a goalie getting minutes at such a young age.

 

None of it, because the penalty wasn’t even on frame - only xG for on target shots is counted. He’s saved at least one penalty already this season, though.

 

I guess I missed with was xGOT, is that always implied for GK? I've seen xGA used too I thought, since not every source does xGOT.

 

Yes, I did mean xGOT which is usually implied if available.

 

Totally forgot to mention ‘06 CB Alexander Hauschild, who is extremely tall and also left footed with good technique. He’s started the last two games and looked pretty good. Not the best defender yet due to lacking some strength still but very promising.

 

DeCarlo Guerra made his MLS Next Pro debut last night coming off the bench and playing 9 mins for LAFC II against SKC II.

 

Anyone watch SKC II? Curious how Nati Clarke has looked/what happened to him given the early hype, looks like he's settled into playing LB

 

Jack Lynn's second season in the Best XI. McGuire's ascendance has basically guaranteed he won't get a shot with the first team in Orlando but an astute MLS team would pick him up for quality depth.

 

I can confirm: Damian Las still has it. He's had a great season.

 

We have a wealth of keeping prospects. Which is nice because Turner is the only reliable A team guy at the moment.