I hate to sound negative at all about the youth movement for the US... the talent pool is pretty impressive IMO. But I am still blown away that we don't have more players on the cusp w/ elite pace. Cowell indeed does have a lot to learn but he is one of the few prospects I can think of that can just flat out blow past players. I am a huge fan of elite pace in footballers and wish we had more guys coming up w/ blazing speed. It seems like every other up-and-coming prospect for Canada has that trait. I would take our youth movement over theirs for sure but I wish we had more elite athletes.
We do, but most of them are more under the radar right now because MLS clubs don’t rate that part of the game as much as other areas. They’d rather sign average players who are moderately technical than a player whose game is almost entirely about speed. I’m with you on this though. I’ll take a player who can run past anyone over a well rounded player who isn’t that good and has no calling card that can beat defenders at higher levels.
Tsakiris's last game of the season continued to feature absurd on-ball numbers ... 9 progressive passes, 8 progressive carries, 4 shot-creating actions, 5 passes into the final third. He's had three remarkable games in a row; I'd put him as one of the top pure prospects in MLS.
Fastest MLS players in 2022, per Second Spectrum's top sustained speed:1. Cade Cowell, 10.18 m/s2. Luis Diaz, 10.17 m/s3. Jesus Ferreira, 10.12 m/s4. John Nelson, 10.11 m/s5. Yimmi Chara, 10.04 m/s6. Alvas Powell, 10.027. Patryk Klimala, 10.0108. Jordan Morris, 10.009— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) October 12, 2022
I would have argued with you when he was playing with DC United.... but now that I see him playing in the BL it doesn't look like he has the ability to run past most outside backs. I think he is pretty quick but not elite.... and given his thin frame I think that takes away from his ceiling.
He played a lot of wingback (not fullback) for DC United. Thats a position I think can disguise the pure pace of a player going forward, especially one like Paredes that is going to come inside and isn't looking to only run the line and put in crosses. When you play wingback and come in-field, you are usually playing with a lot of space, and there are usually not situations where you are put in situations where your acceleration is tested. As a winger, you have more limited space most of the time. It's a position that tests acceleration a lot more. Paredes is a good player, but I think his inability to beat a pure 1v1 clean by running by them is an impediment to his game. I'm very unsure about his best position. I think he'll have success in Europe and be a USMNT player, but the main question about his game is what position thats at or if he's destined to have a career where he plays a bunch of positions and no one is sure what his best position is. I think he's best as a RW, but I'm open to the idea that it's as a LB/LWB. The issue with him as a LB/LWB is that he's played almost no LB in his pro (or youth) career, so that position requires a defensive transition. LWB is more of a vanity position. Only exists with a back 3. Good to have the ability to play it (and he does), but it can't be a player's primary position.
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/20...-to-frisco-tx-for-final-training-camp-of-2022 Cade and Niko called up.
I think this kid is the best of the unsigned prospects currently in the academy. 6’3, moves well for his size, elite good ball skills for his size/position, very good playmaker for a CF, and a pretty good goal scorer. My assist v sac republic pic.twitter.com/Tmd3bcvkTe— Tomo Allen (@allen_tomo) October 26, 2022
One thing we could use is a backup forward behind Jebo assuming Kikanovic is staying on the left wing with Cade. Gives us another option there.
‘07 defensive midfielder. Pretty consistent member of USYNT’s. Solid player. Rohan Rajagopal (07). @QuakesAcademy U-17. #USYNT. Clips vs. RSL, Timbers, Sac Rep, Sounders. https://t.co/5s88G2jCaW— Ramesh Rajagopal (@RR72) November 18, 2022
U17 San Jose Quakes RB, Oscar Verhoeven is becoming a player that doesn't just flash during games, but a player that dominates and dictates games. Consistency and decision making were my concerns and he is starting to iron that. Very cool to see.— Marcus Chairez (@chai_asc) November 19, 2022
My thread on the Quakes board from October 4, 2014... so 8 years 2 months 1 week ago: MLS success on a limited budget, could FC Dallas U25s beat the Quakes, and hiring a new coach "There is already an alternative pathway to success from that of the Galaxy and Sounders for the Quakes to emulate should they wish to do so." Matt Doyle today: anyway, 1) most of the guys in those two teams have already hit, which says a ton about how good talent ID & integration has become in MLS over the past 5 years, and 2) if you're a USYNT sicko, the Quakes are about to become an S-Tier team.— Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) December 11, 2022
I think the Quakes are too hesitant to do that. They have the raw talent in their system for it, but aren't ready to let all of them develop the way we've seen with Dallas.
These player development initiatives are VERY long term projects. San Jose has put a lot of resources into their youth programs going back at least a decade or so, which is when I heard about their youth scouting and sport science programs for youth. It's awesome to see that they are getting some seriously big time players coming through. Add them to the list of markets that have been or are starting to cook when it comes to developing pros: New York Dallas Los Angeles Philadelphia San Jose Seattle Washington, DC Atlanta? Chicago? Miami? Boston? Still a really long way to go in most of these places and many more will continue popping up, but the progress has been dramatic and relatively swift recently.
🚨¡LO ÚLTIMO!🚨Diego Otoya 🇵🇪 es nuevo delantero de Sporting Cristal 🔵⚪️. El joven atacante firmó con el equipo celeste por las próximas 3 temporadas.El seleccionado SUB-20 tendrá su primera experiencia en el fútbol peruano.-@Latina_pe @LatinaDeportes pic.twitter.com/PUpkmJX3zQ— Jorge Castillo (@JCastilloRoque) December 11, 2022
Glad to see he caught on somewhere as a pro at a young age instead of four years of college soccer. If he develops well the next few years, hopefully he gets a transfer to Europe. He could’ve helped San Jose, but they are too hesitant in signing young players.
The Quakes recently sold Marcos Lopez after acquiring him from Sporting on loan, I don’t recall if SC got a sell on percentage but it wouldn’t surprise me if Otoya is loaned to the Quakes in a few years (more polished professionally) and is developed up to transfer to Europe with both SJ and SC profiting from his sale. Luchi Gonzalez actually played there for a season so I bet they have some form of relationship.
Some decent talent on this list... Top 10 Prospects:1. Cruz Medina (‘06)-LW2. Tomo Allen (‘07)-CF3. Emi Ochoa (‘05)-GK4. Oliver Tan (‘08)-RB5. Chelo Avalos (‘09)-GK6. Niko Tsakiris (‘05)-CM7. Alejandro Cano (‘04)-CB8. Ethan Kohler (‘05)-DM9. Preston Drolette (‘08)-CB10. Sebastian Carbajal (‘05)-LW— USMNTProspects (@ProspectsUsmnt) December 16, 2022
Talented player. A little too inconsistent and drifts too much from games, but has the talent to be very good eventually. My favorite goal this year from the #Kaelenator - vs Seattle Sounders playing up with the U15s in May 2022. A dribble, a drazzle, and with laser-like precision, a whip into the top corner. @QuakesAcademy @MLSNEXT @footy_access @JREskilson @chai_asc @US_YSC #Kaelen08 pic.twitter.com/iA6TEoc3xZ— MMD (@dr_dougan) December 22, 2022
You can’t resist. He is the leading scorer on his team (not to mention assists and chances created for his teammates) and scored in every game at the MLSNEXT showcase - not many players in any age group can say that. One of the top scorers last year playing up. But don’t let objective facts stop you. You seem to have questionable criteria by which you have been promoting certain players. With him, it’s always “talented, but…”