MLS Next Saturday Action and Our First Player Deep Dive

The MLS Next action did not disappoint this weekend. Scores from across the country varied from tight affairs to massive blowouts. In this edition, we take a look at some of the best matches from this week’s action.

The Portland Timbers U17s took on Real Salt Lake U17 in a very intense match in Portland, Oregon. The game started very cagey, but around 20 minutes into the match Portland began to take over. Max Eisenberg bagged his first, but Omar Marquez quickly answered. The Timbers responded through Eisenberg again as he slotted two more home before halftime. The second half looked similar to the first as Eisenberg scored again making it his fourth in the match. The Timbers saw the match out, and picked up their fifth straight win to kick off the Spring Season. One more thing to keep an eye on is that 2009 player Linkon Ream went the full 90’ for Real Salt Lake.

Around The Grounds

LAFC Vs TFA

Total Futbol Academy U15s are among the best in the country. The fall season saw them finish with a perfect record, aside from one loss at Next Fest. Meanwhile, LAFC are giants in the youth football world. Producing not only some of the best talent, but also continually dominating at youth events. This match proved to be a tight affair, and the lone goal was scored by Anthony Munoz in the 69th minute to give LAFC a 1-0 victory.

The U17 matchup seemed to be less competitive. Emir Ponicano opened upon the scoring in the sixth minute as LAFC took a 1-0 lead. Omar Mendoza added a second just after the halftime break making it 2-0, and from there it was smooth sailing for LAFC. Joaquin Castro provided a third as the black and gold won 3-0.

Breakers Upset Seattle Sounders

The Sounders U17s took on Breakers in an MLS Next Flex match. The Sounders had multiple 2009 players paying two years up in this match including Ronan Leeming who we pointed out as one to watch for the spring season. Kevin Pajaro Ronquill opened up the scoring for the Breakers in the 7th minute. Aaron Singh added a second in the 51st minute. The Breakers held their 2-0 lead for the rest of the match.

Whitecaps Send Colorado Back To The U.S

The Vancouver Whitecaps U15s welcomed the Colorado Rapids to their arena for match day. The scoring began in the 16th minute when Kunle Tokode bagged his first of the match. The Whitecaps ramped up the pressure, and Leo Choi scored in the 30th minute just 10 minutes before halftime. By the 65th minute it was now 3-0 as Tyler Brown got his goal. Owen Malick added one for Colorado late, but it was merely a constellation.

Deep Dive: Jamir Johnson

“You Don’t See Wingers Like This That Often Anymore”

Jamir Johnson is a 2008 born player for the Philadelphia union. He has been on top of the youth game for a while now as the winger impressed at the U15 CONCACAF Championships this past August. Jamir is a dynamic winger who reminds scouts of the classic tekky and pacey wingers we used to see a ton of back in the day. Jamir has a similar play style to the USMNT’s Gio Reyna. Very calm and fluid on the ball with the ability to take anyone on one vs one.

This season Jamir has set the Northeast region of the United States alight. Jamir has bagged against multiple MLS academies including Nashville SC and Sporting Kansas City. Jamir also bagged a hat trick of weak foot goals against Springfield SYC. This season, he has been described as always having na eye for goal, but allows being the first one to press the defender. Other scouts have dubbed Jamir as the best crosser in the entire youth pool; which includes players up to U23. Jamir’s eye for scoring and assisting has already proven to set him apart from the rest at an early age.

A look back to the 2023 CONCACAF Championships just confirms Jamir is a baller. Jamir was included in our team of the tournament after racking up plenty of goals and assist. Many argued that he should have been named player of the tournament ahead of Philadelphia Union teammate Cavan Sullivan. Jamir added a goal in the final abasing Mexico which helped the team earn a 4-2 victory. Jamir will have another opportunity at the Generation adidas Cup which is just over 6 weeks away.

ECNL Paving The Way To College

In our latest edition of YSC Weekly, we put some outstanding ECNL ballers under the spotlight by highlighting their commitments to play at the next level. 

Eric Frintu- Stanford University: A Washington native playing for ECNL side Crossfire Premier, Eric has been a natural goal scorer since day 1. With his constant demonstration of success on and off the pitch, he earned a lot of glances from coaches at the top level, and chose to take his talents to the esteemed Stanford University. 

Zayan Ahmed- Georgetown University: A top prospect out of Texas, Zayan turns heads wherever he plays. With his calm and composed nature on the ball, he has high projectability playing division 1 soccer for the Hoyas. As a product of ECNL side Solar SC, he joins an ever growing list of ECNL players committed to play at the next level.

Kenny Guerine, Ohio State University: A promising talent out of Indiana, Kenny looks to continue a successful career in the Big 10 conference playing for Ohio State. Playing for FC Pride, Kenny puts on a show during his ECNL matches. 

Alexander Hall- University of Washington: After playing with the Seattle Sounders Academy, Alex Hall picked up interest from many successful Division One programs. He now balls out for ECNL side PAC Northwest, and has proven himself to be a top member of Washington’s signing class. 

Nolan Kinsella- University of Indiana: A product of Indiana Elite FC ECNL, Nolan Kinsella will continue his career playing for the University of Indiana. Indiana Elite has proven its excellence in ECNL competitions throughout the years, and Nolan’s excellence on the pitch reinforces the club’s reputation. A program with so much history, the Hoosiers have a promising incoming class. 

Teague McCammon- Yale: Another product of the formidable Solar SC out of Texas, Teague will be playing in the Ivy League next year. This ECNL baller has proven himself on and off the pitch, and his success at finding a strong program to start his college career.

Andrew Waller- University of North Carolina: After a successful youth career, Andrew looks to continue his strong form while playing with the University of North Carolina. A product of Charlotte SA ECNL, Andrew’s playing experience at a high level will help him adjust to the demanding Division One standards. 

Iain Wagner- University of San Diego: Iain, after playing for Albion SC, will take his talents to the University of San Diego. The SOCAL ECNL division is extremely competitive, which will translate well to the college soccer stage at USD. 

Alex Notzka- Seattle University: Out of the Northwest ECNL division, Alex Notzka boasts many impressive accolades. The tenacious attacker won player of the conference for the 2023 season, and has the unique ability to take defenders on 1v1 and make threatening runs off the ball. Seattle University, with a squad primarily ballers out of the Pacific Northwest, looks to have another successful season next year. 

Ryan Namdar- University of California, San Diego: A top baller for West Coast FC, Ryan is a promising signee for UCSD. After a successful ECNL career, Ryan looks to take the Big West Conference by storm. 

U19 Player Signs Professionally In Europe

18 year old Boston Billups has just signed for FK IMT. One of the best kept secretes of young American talent has been applying his trade for a few years now. Prior to signing a professional contract, Billups spent well over two years with some youth clubs in Barcelona, Spain. This past weekend, the 18 year old from Portland, Oregon, both signed and debuted with FK IMT in Belgrade, Serbia. Billups is now the only American talent in the Siberian league, and his club FK IMT has been promoted three times the past ten seasons. Get into contact here.

ECNL Texas Has Just Kicked Off

ECNL Texas is currently in session, and some of the top girls teams from around the country are battling it out. Teams come from all across the country including Surf, DKSC, and Atlanta Fire. The national selection game was played last night with one person from nearly every squad representing the east or the west. Some of the top players in this match included Kendall Jones, Ava Goodin, Sofia Mir, and Campbell Carrol. The teams will take the field one hour later than expected today due to frost impacting the pitches.