2020-21 Academy Season

I actually took the time to watch the game above that @SUDano referenced. I think that discussion is over, but I wanted to use it to make a slightly different point.

Alan Carleton is extremely talented. I’m going to trust my eyes on this one instead of Atlanta’s utilization of him this season (which is bizarre for many of their academy players). There can’t be more than a handful of players in that age group nationally with the same level of talent. He reminds me of a cross between Leyva, Pomykal and McGlynn.

I’d hope that he can be evaluated on his own merits and his development and discussions about him won’t always be a discussion with undertones about his brother. I am however convinced he’s told them he’s not signing with them. Andrew even said so in an interview. There’s just no way some of the kids Atlanta elevates and promotes are as good as Alan. There’s no guarantee he pans out, but there’s a huge gap between that and using him like you would a player whose not sticking around. I’m going to reverse some of my recent thinking this season that his stock from last season had dropped this season due to not getting much game time.

 

Atlanta U-17 vs. Kendall U-17: Italo Jenkins ('05) was playing at LB. He's another of these Atlanta 05's whose not played much this season with the U-17's, and when he is, his utilization (LB in this game) makes no sense. He's clearly not a LB. He made some nice defensive plays, but he was gambling. He made as many errors as nice plays. I could understand trying to tinker with his position as he's big and athletic, and may not have the ability to be a top-level CF, but I don't think he's a LB long-term. I don't even think he's left-footed.

Ty Nero ('05) got a full game, which is nice to see as I've barely seen him play all season. I won't beat the dead horse on why any more. Nero played a pretty solid game at CB defensively. He's okay building from the back. More of a good athlete who can defend and isn't a liability technically. Daniel Sebhatu ('05) had a weak game. He was playing as a CF in this game. His soccer IQ is still pretty weak, and I'm starting to wonder if he's as athletic as I previously thought.

For Kendall, the standout was Ian Nunez ('04). He's a big CM. He was playing in a LCM role. He's a left-footed CM whose probably a #8 long-term. He has a good passing range, he looks to shoot anytime he's near goal, and he has pretty good composure on the ball. Athletically, he's about average. He didn't have much of a defensive role in this game, although I think he would probably be good enough defensively to play as a #8 in a different formation.

DC United U-17 vs. PDA U-17: PDA didn't have anyone worth mentioning. This looks like a weak age group for them. Troy Matingou ('04) plays a half at CB and was pretty inconsistent. He made some good defensive plays, and also some errors. Jackson Hopkins ('04) played a half in a #8 role. He's more of a CF or CAM. I didn't hate the idea though. I could see him having some success in a deeper role, but he wasn't very effective in this game.

 

Welcoming MLS NEXT's 2021-2022 Expansion Teams.

Our new clubs represent the best of North American youth soccer: strength, ambition, and inclusion. pic.twitter.com/5dbufsroWM

— MLS NEXT (@MLSNEXT) June 11, 2021

 

I also think adding an academy in Las Vegas is important.

 

U-19: Solar vs. Saint Louis FC and then a few TBD's
U-17: FC Dallas vs. NYCFC and then a few TBD's
U-16: San Antonio vs. LA United Football Academy and then a few TBD's
U-15: San Jose vs. LA Surf and then a few TBD's

 

Since we don’t know some of the games they’ll stream and I doubt it matters to list a player if you can’t watch them play, I’ll just list players to watch from the streamed games. You can ask me again once the matchups are listed for the next set of games.

I'll list all the relevant names, and bold the better players.

U-19: Solar vs. Saint Louis FC
U-17: FC Dallas vs. NYCFC
U-16: San Antonio vs. LA United Football Academy
U-15: San Jose vs. LA Surf

U-19:

Saint Louis FC: Kyle Genenbacher (#6), Akwasi Douglas (#7), Jack Wagoner (#10), Connor Gramke (#14), Quinten Blair (#41)
Solar: Alioune Ka (#2)

U-17:

FC Dallas: Aaron Salinas (#31), Pranav DuBroff (#35), Diego Hernandez (#36), Anthony Ramirez (#51), Carlos Sanchez (#40), Chris Sanchez (#51), Tarik Scott (#41), Jordan Jones (#38), Nighte Pickering (#33), Nolan Norris (#32), Matthew Corcoran (#8)
NYCFC: Alex Hauschild (#3), Cooper Flax (#6), Diego Rossi (#7), Tyler Morck (#8), Damon Rouse (#15), Mark Cajamarca (#20)

U-16:

San Antonio: Angel Bernal (#4), Alek Melo (#19), Kai Louviere (#36), Roberto Renteria (#35)
LA United Football Academy: Haven't seen this team play

U-15:

San Jose U-15: Haven't seen this team play
LA Surf: Haven't seen this team play