Here are some of the biggest talents that either move from one MLS academy to another or are joining an academy for the first time. There will certainly be players that emerge that are not on this list, but for now, this is a good starting point.
1. DM, Nick Harris (2011)
St. Louis City → FC Cincinnati
Harris is the biggest academy mover this offseason in my opinion. He is a top 10 player in a loaded 2011 class and he has huge potential. I don't have the full picture on why it didn't work out in St. Louis, but it's fair to wonder whether he was thrilled watching other 2011s get played up an age group consistently while he didn't get as many opportunities to do the same. Harris is a tall number six that covers a lot of ground and wins a lot of duels. He has good feet, but keeps it pretty simple on the ball, not dissimilar to highly-rated 2010 defensive-mid, Nathan Tchoumba. Harris has a lot of physical maturation to go, but when that happens, he could be dominant defensively. I also love his communication on the pitch, something that really stood out to me at the Generation adidas Cup (GA Cup).
2. CM, Diego Ros (2011)
Barca Residency Arizona → FC Dallas
Ros was one of the most sought-after non-MLS academy players last year both because of his talent and that he wasn't protected, making him available to every MLS academy in the United States. Ros is equally as big of a signing for FC Dallas as Nick Harris for FC Cincinnati. He is another player in my top 20 list for the 2011 class. Ros does so many things well in the midfield — duel winning, ball progression, problem solving in tight spaces and chance creation. Dallas has acquired a lot of young talent in the last few years, but Ros might be the most talented of them all. Once he's been at the club a year, he'll be eligible for FC Dallas's homegrown list under league rules, which is normally the precursor to an eventual contract.
3. CB, Mikel Akinmboni (2010)
D.C. United → Nashville SC
Akinmboni is one of the top 2010 center-backs and a top 20 player in his class. Akinmboni instantly becomes one of, if not the, top prospect in their academy, and in return, he likely gets a faster track to the first team and a chance to train and play with the second team in the near future — something D.C. United couldn't offer, since they don't have one. D.C. United and Nashville were able to come to an agreement, and now Nashville has a big, ball-playing center-back in their program.
4. LB, Easton Odom (2011)
Barca Residency Arizona → San Diego FC
Odom is one of the most talented players in the 2011 class. He is a dynamic and quick attacking left-back who has a flair for highlight-reel plays with the ball at his feet. He is still developing physically and struggled at times with aspects of the game, but once that comes along, he'll be a force. Odom is from the San Diego area, so he's been on San Diego's protected list as long as he's been able to be protected. Now that San Diego has added a U16 team, they were able to bring Odom into the program officially, though it's no secret they've been very involved with him for a while. Odom will be the key high-potential player for San Diego's first U16 class.
5. CM, Aiden Appiah (2011)
Colorado Rapids → Nashville SC
Appiah is another big addition for Nashville, who has had a really nice summer in terms of talent acquisitions from other academies. Appiah is a top 30 2011 player for me and someone who could creep into the top 20 list if things develop for him in Nashville this year. Appiah played both right-back and central midfield for Colorado last year, and from what I've heard, Colorado's desire for him to play right-back played a role in this move. Nashville plans to play him in midfield, where he is more comfortable, and frankly, where I think he is more impactful.
6. AM, Donatien Nzambimana (2010)
Minnesota United → Chicago Fire
Nzambimana was one of the most improved players last season. He played in kind of a false nine role for Minnesota the last couple of years where his exemplary trait was playing in tight space and playmaking for others. I like him as a free eight or ten and I am interested to see how Chicago deploys him this season.
7. CB, Ethan O'Neil (2011)
Barca Residency Arizona → San Diego FC
O'Neil is a local San Diego kid who went to Barca Residency last year because San Diego FC did not have a team in his age group. San Diego has always valued him and protected him until they formed their new U16 team. O'Neil is a Mexican-American who has played for both the United States and Mexico's Youth National teams.
8. AM, Darwin Yair Lopez (2011)
Barca Residency Arizona → FC Cincinnati
Yair Lopez is a Houston native who decided to not sign with the Dynamo and go to Barca Residency for his U15 season, a common move for players looking to develop technically before joining an MLS academy. Yair Lopez was recruited by many MLS academies, but decided to join one of the most talented 2011 teams in the country in FC Cincinnati. FCC continues to do a great job scouting and recruiting nationally.
9. W, Xavi St. Hill (2011)
Weston FC → San Diego FC
St. Hill isn't the headline acquisition for San Diego FC's big offseason, but he is a really exciting one. St. Hill is an example of San Diego's national reach, pulling the talented winger all the way from Miami, Florida. Aside from one of the coolest names, St. Hill is a smooth, technical and creative winger that attacks 1v1 with good hesitation sequences and fluidity on the ball. He can create chances for others and for himself. He could be one of the breakout players at the U16 level this season.
10. AM/W, Jayden Gonzalez (2011)
Club América → Seattle Sounders
I am not super familiar with Gonzalez's game, but he is highly rated by Mexico and Seattle. He is a winger now that could transition to the midfield if he doesn't become dynamic enough to stay out wide. He has played up age groups at times for Mexico, and Seattle is certainly happy to bring him back home after he tried Club América for a year.
Other key acquisitions worth noting:
W, Kaeden McDowell (2010) → Charlotte FC
CF, Luka Vukelic (2010) Sockers FC → Austin FC
CF, Will Mihelic (2010) Beachside FC → Philadelphia Union
CB, Zion Salmon (2010) Inter Miami → Real Salt Lake
CB, Cooper Finkle (2011) Cedar Stars Bergen → New York Red Bulls
DM, Jones Isaac (2011) Southern Soccer Academy → Atlanta United
CM, Sidiki Toure (2011) South Bronx United → Philadelphia Union
CM, Grant Choi (2011) Crossfire Premier → San Diego FC
AM, Mason Jackson (2011) Barca Residency Arizona → San Diego FC
W, Nolawi Teshome (2011) Houston Rangers → Houston Dynamo
W, Arman Alagha (2011) Barca Residency Arizona → Real Salt Lake
If there are any I'm missing, please email me at marcus@ussoccercollective.com
