Is it a prerequisite that the player actually plays for the USMNT during the calendar year? If yes... then I might be able to get on board. He has not been flashy at all... but has played pretty well IMO. But there are scores of players that have played in our youth programs that I think will be far more deserving if we are looking at club performance rather than caps
There's no real definition, so folks can suggest whomever they like I named Reggie my breakout youngster of the year in MLS last year, so it doesn't make much sense for me to do so again this year. [Last year there really were a paucity of options.] I'm inclined to name Paxton Pomykal as my breakout player from MLS this season. Although we still have some time left in the season for others to make a case.
Yeah, he would get my vote too for MLS BYPOTY 2019. He would have to really struggle down the stretch to lose the honors IMO. I am moving on to the Euro boys now and there are a ton of candidates to keep an eye on. It is early in the season... so too soon to say someone is leading per se... but Dest, Ulysses, Richards, Sargent and Reyna are the 5 I am most eagerly eyeing. I would add Soto to the list but he isn't getting any minutes right now.
Ledesma starting against today for Jong PSV. This is the Dutch 2nd division. In other words the league Dest was playing in last season.................. De elf van Jong PSV vanavond! 📋#JPSJAZ— PSV (@PSV) September 13, 2019
After today this post feels good. Feels like buying a stock and then it jumps 10 percent the next day, this is going to be a way more common opinion soon I bet.
Yup. For those that didn't see this, Ledesma with 2 goals and an assist as Jong PSV beat Jong AZ 3-2. By the way, he's reportedly been added to their Europa League roster. Chris Gloster also made his debut for Jong PSV in this game. Ledezma’s winner for Jong PSV. His 2nd of 2 goals. Also had an assist in a 3-2 win over Jong AZ https://t.co/Dk5mEcY2CE— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) September 13, 2019 For those worried about his international allegiance:
Our other American U20 in Holland, Alex Mendez, started the game on the bench for Jong Ajax. He came on in the 2nd half. 🔋 #JongAjax -> Debut Juan Castillo loading! #grajaj pic.twitter.com/j9aHIoTFRS— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) September 13, 2019
Brenden Aaronson should be discussed much more as a candidate for MLS Breakout Youngster. The slight edge (for me) still goes to Pomykal based on performance at the U20WC and being called up to USMNT. But statistically, these two are pretty close. Brenden Aaronson: 25 games (1529 minutes); 3 goals; 1 assist Pomykal: 23 games (1668 minutes); 2 goals; 2 assists Whoscored ratings (if you believe in these sorts of things) are really close. And Brenden is a key player on a team that's much better than Pomykal's FC Dallas. The Union is a legitimate MLS Cup contender this season.
Keaton Parks continuing to improve at NYCFC. A reminder that Keaton Parks is from...…………………………...Frisco, Texas. Yet another central midfielder from North Texas. 1172959339742711814 is not a valid tweet id Another player with North Texas connections. Chris Cappis, formerly of the FCD academy, starting for Hobro today. Sabbi also starting, with Yosef Samuel on the bench. Sådan stiller vi op i dagens kamp mod F.C. København. Der er kampstart klokken 16.00.#HobroIK #sldk #HOBFCK pic.twitter.com/ns9GcJcw9p— Hobro IK (@hikfodbold) September 15, 2019
Tomorrow at 2 PM EST is Jong Ajax vs Jong PSV. Dest no longer belongs to this level, but we still get Mendez vs Gloster/Ledezma. Hopefully they all get plenty of time.
USMNTvideos posted the every touch for Ledezma from Eindhoven/AZ. I can't remember what my original "breakout youngster" answer was, but I'm not sure Ledezma didn't just jump to the top of the list.
Those are some pretty sweet moves. I've liked his talent since I've first seen him. My concern still remains, as far as early emergence, that he's very lightweight and lacks nasty to make up for it. If you lay a shoulder into him you can knock him off the ball easily. And some teams are going to gameplan for that to take away his skill, until he bulks up a little. There are a lot more teams with the intention and capability at the top level.
I thought Ledezma stood out at the U20 WC...just didn't look match fit. Looks like he is dominating this level if that all touch video is any indication of what his form has been like. Tough not to be really high on the kid.
I don't think he's made his breakout yet. On another hand, if there was a thread "The most talented American player ever" ...
Not to be a broken record but looking good in Youth matches says very little about how they can handle the Big Boy league. We've seen it countless times with young "can't miss" Yanks. All look great until they can't make the leap to adult competition.
Maybe..................its early, though. By the end of the year players like Sargent and Weah will hopefully make their case. I'm hopeful that some of Ledesma, Gloster, Mendez, Richards, etc. will at least make a successful first debut. My gut feeling is that these are the contenders for breakout player NEXT season.
Thanks for posting. Pretty impressive. I tend to agree with some of the others w/ respect to not taking youth league numbers too seriously... but you have to start somewhere and his ball skills and vision looked really good on that video. Our U20 talent looks very promising.
Keep in mind that Ledesma is playing against adult professionals in the Dutch 2nd division. Same for Gloster, Mendez, etc. Jong PSV and Jong Ajax are in a division with fairly well known Dutch teams like NAC Breda, NEC Nijmegen, De Graafschaap, etc. We have called up plenty of players to the USMNT from the Dutch 2nd division. Most recently Andrija Novakovich at Telstar. If Ledesma is consistently performing in that league in the manner he did this past weekend, I have no problem if we proactively call him up to the USMNT. And I have no problem if folks want to nominate him for this mythical Breakout Youngster Award. Players like Dest, Sargent, Weah, etc. are playing in better leagues, though.
More American on American action. Gio Reyna versus Konrad de la Fuente in the UEFA Youth Champions League. Reyna got a goal. Hello................... 1173980700497850368 is not a valid tweet id
To me, it seems natural to do this since lack of caps is one of the criteria to identify eligible players.
If he chooses to play for Nations League then I will write him over Cannon's name. Until then, he has a big asterisk.