https://yscofficial.beehiiv.com/p/2425-preseason-academy-rankings 1. Philadelphia Union The Union are on top of the academy game right now. They have arguably the best group of 2004-2006 graduates in the country, and they have a loaded 2007-09 group. Notable names go from Jack McGlynn (2004) to Cavan Sullivan (2009). The Union have been dominate winning three trophies in the past two years including back to back U17 Ga Cups. The 2007 group boasts the likes of Neil Pierre, Zach Mastrodimos, Diego Rocio and talented center back Andrew Craig. 2008 group has many names as well Jamir Johnson, Peyton Presson, and Anisse Saidi. All are highly rated prospects. This group of players is also supported by fantastic prospects who would all be top names at other academies. The 2009 group is headlined by Cavan Sullivan, Malik Jakupovic, and recent addition Marcelo Alvalos. Alvalos just joined from the San Jose Earthquakes who you will read more about later down on this list. The Union are clearly doing something right from the directors to the coaching staff. Rating: 9.7/10
An anecdote that didn’t make the cut here:I’m told Mauricio Pochettino met with some MLS team owners last night and today, to talk about player development and other matters.The Union’s Jay Sugarman and Richard Leibovitch were among the attendees. https://t.co/TT0wjzVa3q— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) September 13, 2024
Interesting thread: With another disclaimer that we're talking about future potential, not current level...The Union have, by my count, five striker prospects of consequence in the reserve/academy pipeline right now.Sal Olivas, 19Eddy Davis, 18Diego Rocio, 17Jamir Johnson, 16Anisse Saidi, 16— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) September 15, 2024
Pierre is the #2 prospect im the Union academy. Here are some highlights from his match with the u18 national team vs Peru Neil Pierre had a fantastic game against Peru during the 26th International Youth Football Tournament in Niigata, Japan.His stock is definitely rising.📹: @USMNTReport (Apologies, I took the music off—it was awful)#doop #USYNT pic.twitter.com/zIXNzo6v31— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) September 17, 2024
He's tall & rangy, so that's good. His ball skills look decent but not top notch. He timed a few tackles well so there's that. Obviously he's a work in progress and especially with tall, lanky players their coordination takes longer to kick in, but he's someone worth following.
Here is Matt Doyle's (@MattDoyle76) picks for the 22 Under 22 ranked list for the MLS season. A couple of data points of interest for Philadelphia players:- The average salary is $274,062, a number that is higher than both Quinn Sullivan’s and Jack McGlynn’s. Additionally,… pic.twitter.com/oBSBd9OkXX— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) September 24, 2024
wat WHAT A MATCH. Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC match did not disappoint 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/vkSOoKrie4— Footy Access (@footy_access) September 28, 2024
Nobody needs me to say this, but Saudi and Rocio are Next Pro Pros on most other academies in MLS. The log jam at Philly is ridiculous. I’ve been surprised that one of the talent poaching USL teams haven’t taken on player from them.
How about four? ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️4 goals in a single game for Anisse #DOOP | #BabySnakes pic.twitter.com/gaEstg83Dv— Philadelphia Union Academy (@phlunionacademy) October 1, 2024
13 goals, two assists, and a whole lot of star power 💫For the third time this season, Eddy Davis has been named @mlsnextpro Rising Star of the Month! #DOOP pic.twitter.com/MQXJxfh9fH— Philadelphia Union II (@PhilaUnionII) October 3, 2024 Still cannot get a call-up to USYNT’s, despite outperforming players at his position that get routine call-ups. https://t.co/M4T1WFOSAn— USMNTProspects (@ProspectsUsmnt) October 3, 2024
Curtin on mentality versus physicality ahead of Columbus and the team’s current situation (fighting for a playoff spot versus being safely qualified):"Usually, this group responds well after performances where we aren't ourselves. But this year, and it's self-inflicted—I’ve… pic.twitter.com/IptT8lBtug— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) October 4, 2024
Did any of the team owners get their little feelings hurt? I think the reaction will be very different if anybody from MLS tries to ******** with USMNT again.
Union are hanging by a thread going into decision day, they need Montreal or DC to lose and for them to win and they still might not make it into the playoffs. I wonder if Curtin's job is in danger if they miss out. Unfortunately that means it's pretty unlikely Cavan will play at all or anyone else from NextPro
As long as Ernst is still here we'll play with 2 strikers and a very direct style that most teams have seemed to figure out. What I'd like to see is McGlynn get a run out as a play making #6. His switching of play and distribution are just too good, but he lacks the athletic/ ball-winning aspects you need to play as a DM in this league. In order not to expose the defense, you'd have to keep the outside backs at home or play with 3 CBs in a 3-5-2. Wagner and Harriel need to be involved in the attack, so I would go with something like this: ---------------Uhre---Baribo ----------Gazdag--------Quinn Wagner-------McGlynn-------Harriel ---------Elliot-Jacques?-Glesnes Blake
Both of these moves are confirmed now. I realize Philly can only keep so many players, but these two should have been a priority.
📰 Joshua Wynder has been replaced by defender Francis Westfield for the October training camp roster. https://t.co/q6ro01QEpK— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) October 7, 2024