The new U-15 cycle is officially underway, giving us our first high-profile look at how U.S. Soccer views the 2011 class. Head coach Ross Brady returns to lead the U-15s for a second cycle, providing some continuity in the program. My hope for this cycle is that we see more experimentation than in the last, along with a shift in the type of player profiles being evaluated. I’m still very early in my own assessment of this age group, so I won’t be overly opinionated just yet.
The roster
GK – David Jaimes Martinez. FC Dallas
GK – Luan Silva, Orlando City
GK – Thomas White, Philadelphia Union
LB – Easton Odom, Barca Residency
CB – Reggie Bailey, San Jose Earthquakes
CB – Harrison Storey, Chicago Fire
CB – Matthew Leone, LA Galaxy
CB – Dempsey Biller, Chicago Fire
RB – Jacob Mays, DC United
RB/CM – Aiden Appiah, Colorado Rapids
DM – Nick Harris, St. Louis City
DM – Immanuel Adewunmi, Columbus Crew
DM – Bradley Castro, New York Red Bulls
CM – Zamir Loyo Reynaga, Sporting KC
CM – Ryan Schlotterbeck, FC Cincinnati
CM – Cosimo Tristani, NYCFC
AM – Christopher Gonzalez, Houston Dynamo
AM – Gideon Gomez, Houston Dynamo
AM – Jensyn Goranson, Chicago Fire
AM/Winger – Daniel Brown, Charlotte FC
Winger – Blessed Chea, Atlanta United
Winger – Benjamin Flowers, FC Dallas
Winger – Kenzynton Pierre, Houston Dynamo
CF – Santi Suarez, Atlanta United
Top players I have scouted that are not here
GK – Zion Hickson, Real Salt Lake
The best 2011 goalkeeper I scouted last season by a good margin. Moved from RSL Arizona to RSL this year. U.S. Soccer should take notice soon.
GK – Zach Lapierre, New England Revolution
The second-best 2011 goalkeeper I scouted last season.
LB – Isaiah Fabunmi, D.C. United
One of two 2011s at last year’s Chula Vista camp. He has since removed the U.S. from his IG—unclear if that’s an eligibility or interest issue. A really good attacking left-back.
LB – Andre Campbell, Inter Miami
Another talented, dynamic left-back who deserves a look.
RB – Blaise Blackwell, Nashville SC
Played up with Nashville’s 2010s nearly all season. More advanced defensively than offensively right now.
RB – Wilson Marzariegos, San Jose Earthquakes
Comfortable playing up with 2010s. Looked sharp last weekend.
CB – Mason Washington, LAFC
One of my top center-backs in the class. Elite 1v1 defender, though a bit undersized.
CB – Wes Wolfley, Phoenix Rising
High-floor defender who does everything at a solid level.
CB/DM – Caleb Chabala, Philadelphia Union
A left-footer who currently projects more as a 6. If he keeps growing, could become a really intriguing CB prospect. Philly’s top 2011 last year.
CM – Dino Shang, San Jose Earthquakes
The most talented and dynamic midfielder I scouted last season. Moved from Bay Area Surf to Quakes this year. Looks like one of the most gifted players in the class.
CM – Diego Ros, Barça Residency ⛑️
Super technical and impactful midfielder working back from a serious injury. One of the most sought-after non-MLS academy players.
CM – Maxwell Camara, D.C. United
Played up with 2010s for much of last season. A smooth, left-footed midfielder.
CM – Sam Onsarigo, FC Dallas
Raw but incredibly talented. Once he finds consistency, he’ll be a dynamic presence.
CM – Jaethan Irwin, Phoenix Rising
Best as a deeper midfielder. Great physical profile and motor.
CM – Carter Patterson, Charlotte FC
A well-rounded midfielder who consistently impressed me last season.
CM – Maxi Alvarez, Orlando City
Played mostly as a 10 last year, but has now shifted into his more natural 6/8 role. Flashed a lot of potential.
AM – Papo Gordon, Valencia
An early favorite for the number one prospect in the class. From Miami, moved to Spain last year and now plays for Valencia. Hopefully U.S. Soccer can get him into camps despite being based in Europe.
AM – Darwin Yair Lopez, Barça Residency
Saw him for the first time last weekend. Very gifted technically—need to see him against stronger opposition.
AM/Wing – Leo Woehl, Columbus Crew
Dynamic attacker who can play anywhere across the front line.
Wing – RJ Atali, Orlando City
A powerful and versatile attacker. Moved from Houston Dynamo to Orlando this offseason.
Wing – Chris Fitanidis, Cedar Stars Bergen
Direct, vertical attacker in the Julian Hall mold. NYCFC and RBNY both want him, but he seems content to stay. Holds a Greek passport, so Europe at 16 could be in play.
Wing/CF – Neville Knowles III, Villarreal
Former Atlanta United academy player who moved to Spain a couple years ago. Can play as a 9 or winger. Dynamic, direct attacker.
CF – Carson Starrett, Inter Miami
One of the bigger surprises not in camp. For me, the top striker in this class. I’ve heard U.S. Soccer views him more as a CB, which may explain the omission. Recently moved from Barça Residency to Inter Miami.
CF – Quincy Lamar, Chula Vista
Explosive, direct striker. Nearly every MLS academy has interest, but he seems set to stay local another year. On San Diego FC’s protected list.
Roster grade: Incomplete
It’s only fair to grade this first camp as incomplete. I haven’t fully evaluated the class, and there are several players on the roster I haven’t scouted yet. At the same time, a number of highly talented players—early candidates for my 2011 top 20 list—are not here: Hickson, Lapierre, Fabunmi, Washington, Shang, Ros (injured), Onsarigo, Gordon (overseas), Woehl, Atali, Fitanidis, Knowles III (overseas), Starrett, and Lamar. That’s a lot of quality left off the initial roster. Hopefully they get opportunities in the coming months.
It’s also worth noting that one of the players selected is the son of U.S. Soccer’s Director of Talent ID. He was not a player who stood out to me last year, and I’ve heard from multiple sources that he is not currently at a Youth National Team level. The fact that he was included raises legitimate concerns about nepotism in the selection process, which would be very troubling if true.
Among the inclusions, my early favorites are Odom, Bailey, Loyo Reynaga, Chea, Brown, and Flowers. All of them look like top players in this class. The winger group in particular is especially exciting.
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