The Drive:
2016 GENERATION ADIDAS CUP
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
The 2016 Generation Adidas Cup takes place this upcoming week (March 18-26) in Dallas Texas and includes a number of MLS U-17 Academy teams who qualified in a pre-tournament with international sides. The tournament consists of three round robin groups of four and then a knock out competition to produce the final placement of each club. Players must be born after January 1st 1999 to qualify and each team will play five games over the course of the competition. The last two years have seen non-MLS connected sides win the tournament with English club Stoke City winning in 2014 and River Plate of Argentina beating Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany 1-0 in the finals last year.
PROSPECTXI – SCOUTING WITH STATISTICS – 2016 CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
One of the big talking points in soccer this off-season has been the purchasing of players by clubs in the Chinese Super League. This isn’t new for China as in the past clubs have purchased football veterans Vanger Love, Lucas Barrios, Seydou Keita, Yakubu and Didier Drogba. Clubs have also made expensive transfers which have turned out to benefit the league long term such as Dario Conca, Giovanni Moreno, Elkeson and Ricardo Goulart, the latter two players we at ProspectXI valued as prospects in Brazil since the 2011 season.
2016 MLS PROSPECTS
By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)
The following are new prospects for the 2016 Major League Soccer Season. To qualify players have to recently signed a contract or loan agreement with a Major League Soccer club.
Q&A WITH THOMAS MORE FORWARD AUSTIN JUNIET
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
As we continue our coverage of the American collegiate system, ProspectXI (PXI) was fortunate enough to get some time with a few underrated prospects. One standout from NCAA Division 3 has been Thomas More Forward Austin Juniet (AJ), a player that opted to go from NCAA Division 1 school Northern Kentucky to Thomas Moore and has blossomed as a player.
In this interview we cover his decision to transfer from NCAA Division 1 to Division 3, the competition level at Division 3, how he feels he would fit the professional game and more.
Q&A WITH LIU POST MIDFIELDER PER FORGAARD
By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)
As we continue our coverage of the American collegiate system, ProspectXI (PXI) was fortunate enough to get some time with a few underrated prospects. As more foreign-born players look towards college soccer for the combination of soccer and education, one standout from NCAA Division 2 has been Norwegian midfielder Per Forgaard (PF) from LIU Post.
In this interview we cover his time in Norway with the Viking FK academy, his decision to play soccer in the U.S. collegiate system, improvement from freshman to senior season, how he would fit in North Amercian professional soccer and more.
2015-2016 ENGLISH NATIONAL CONFERENCE – TOP 25 PROSPECTS
By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)
As part of the ProspectXI database, players statistical and scouting information is collected from over 50 countries in the world and from multiple divisions. Like our North American work covering the college game and smaller CONCACAF countries, we specialize in focusing on players outside the first division yet that if given an opportunity at a higher level could preform well. Our work in this area is also about maximizing value, creating these databases of players that based on current situations can provide a club a bigger ROI.
The English National Conference is the highest division of Non-League football, the fifth division in the English Footballing Pyramid. Historically it has provided talent at higher levels for a number of years, but has been identified most recently for developing players such as current English Premier League leading goalscorer Jamie Vardy at Leicester City and English Championship leading goalscorer Andre Gray at Burnley. PXI statistical database for the National Conference started in 2007, identifying at the time in the league both Vardy and Gray as prospects. Currently the league has a number of interesting players, including the top forward in 22-year-old Omar Bogle at Grimsby. However, we feel the true talent in the Conference at moment are midfielders such as Woking’s John Goddard and defenders in Torquay United full-back Dan Butler.
The following is ProspectXI England National Conference Top 25 prospects for the 2015-2016 season.
2015-2016 ENGLISH CONFERENCE NORTH/SOUTH – TOP 25 PROSPECTS
By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)
As part of the ProspectXI database, players statistical and scouting information is collected from over 50 countries in the world and from multiple divisions. Like our North American work covering the college game and smaller CONCACAF countries, we specialize in focusing on players outside the first division yet that if given an opportunity at a higher level could preform well. Our work in this area is also about maximizing value, creating these databases of players that based on current situations can provide a club a bigger ROI.
The sixth tier of English Football is the English National Conference North/South with Promotion in the English Conference. Unlike the Conference or higher divisions in England, it is difficult to get a lot of information from these leagues. Yet players such as Jamie Vardy played in the league in terms of his own development before moving to English Conference side Fleetwood while current PXI prospect Omar Bogle scored 62 goals in 111 games at this level before moving to Grimsby this past summer. ProspectXI has been collecting information from the National Conference North/South since 2010. Current players we like are Dayle Southwell who despite no true Academy training has scored 44 goals in his first 68 at this level. Other players we like are Jack Goodman who started his career in the Millwall system and is currently at Margate while Nigerian centre-back Marvin Ekpiteta has great athletic upside and has had a strong season this year at Chelmsford City.
The following is ProspectXI England National Conference Top 25 prospects for the 2015-2016 season.
PROSPECTXI – SCOUTING JAMAICA
By: Kamal Hylton
Since ProspectXI first launched in March of 2015, one of its main focuses has been identifying promising players, academies and clubs in untapped or underrated areas. One of the first places we flocked toward was the island of Jamaica, taking in the local football culture, conducting a successful scouting trip of the Jamaican Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) and making connections with certain clubs including a piece on Sporting Central Academy.
The following is PXI’s current scouting list for domestically based Jamaican players. All of these players are between 16-24 years old, with the goal being to make updates to this list 1-2 times per year by adding new prospects via our scouting or through contacts in the country and remove others that fall outside the age range.
We’re aiming to cover other countries within the Caribbean and Central America. Any requests can be sent to info@prospectxi.com or via twitter @ProspectXI.
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Honduras
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Costa Rica
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Panama
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Mexico
2016 MLS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT – NAIA TOP UNDRAFTED SENIORS
By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)
Independent to the NCAA, the NAIA is another brand of American College & University soccer heavily influenced by both Hispanic Americans and Foreign students. This means despite the size of many of the schools, the quality of soccer and talent can be strong even more so then in traditional North American Sports. The 2015 Championship was won by Rio Grande (Ohio) who beat MidAmerica Nazarene (Kansas) in the final 1-0 on an extra-time free kick goal from 35 yards out by Dutch player Jeremy De Hoog. Rio Grande consisted of players from France, Spain, England, Brazil, Chile, Kenya and the Netherlands. While MNU had players from Sweden, France, Chile, Canada, Germany but were also led by tricky American midfielder Eddie Morales.
The NAIA didn’t have any players drafted in the 2016 MLS Draft, but players like former Chicago Fire academy player Keaton Albert and former FC Edmonton Amer Didic are interesting players and compare well with players in other divisions. The following players are now regarded as free agents and can be offered trials/contracts by MLS, NASL, USL, PDL, NPSL club. There are additional foreign players who would be ranked higher on the list although are unrealistic to get an professional opportunity by a United States or Canadian club although some may emerge as pros in their native country.
PROSPECTXI – SCOUTING HONDURAS
By: Kamal Hylton
As a compliment to our first CONCACAF scouting lists, PXI continues to look at top prospects through the region by focusing on Honduras and the Liga Nacional. A nation that has qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup six times, including 2015 in New Zealand and have some of the strongest club teams within the CONCACAF region in Olympia, Motagua, Real Espana and Marathon.
The following is PXI’s current scouting list for domestically based Honduran players. All of these players are between 16-24 years old, with the goal being to make updates to this list 1-2 times per year by adding new prospects via our scouting or through contacts in the country and remove others that fall outside the age range.
We’re aiming to cover other countries within the Caribbean and Central America. Any requests can be sent to info@prospectxi.com or via twitter @ProspectXI.
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Jamaica
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Costa Rica
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Panama
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Mexico
2016 MLS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT – NCAA DIV-3 TOP UNDRAFTED SENIORS
By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)
The 2015 NCAA Division 3 Men’s Soccer season saw Amherst win its first ever national championship for the Massachusetts school. Amherst advanced to the tournament as an at-large bid after being upset by Wesleyan (Conn.) in the first round of the NESCAC tournament for their only lost of the season, but beat Morrisville State, Lycoming, and Trinty (TX) to make the final four. Amherst got by SUNY Oneonta in penalty kicks and beat Loras in the final on a 25 yard shot from Bryce Ciambella at 55th minute mark and held on for the 2-1 victory.
In the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, Marshall Hollingsworth was the only NCAA Division 3 player drafted 41st overall by Columbus. A 5’8 forward, Hollingsworth scored 22 goals in 2015 and was named to the NCAA Division III All-American team. He has a strong youth background and good speed with a strong shot, but there are worries over his overall athletic ability. The same could be said about other NCAA Division 3 players, but in the right situation could be useful addition for a USL club. The following are the top 25 players from NCAA Division 3 according to ProspectXI who were available in the 2016 MLS Draft but were not drafted. These players are now regarded as free agents and can be offered trials/contracts by MLS, NASL, USL, PDL, NPSL club or a club outside of Canada and the United States.
PROSPECTXI – SCOUTING COSTA RICA
By: Kamal Hylton
As a compliment to our other CONCACAF scouting lists, PXI continues to look at top prospects through the region by focusing on Costa Rica and the Costa Rican Primara Division. A nation that has qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup eight times, including 2015 in New Zealand, and has seen the likes of Saprissa, Alajuelense and Herediano reach the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.
The following is PXI’s current scouting list for domestically based Costa Rican players. All of these players are between 16-24 years old, with the goal being to make updates to this list 1-2 times per year by adding new prospects via our scouting or through contacts in the country and remove others that fall outside the age range. We’re aiming to cover other countries within the Caribbean and Central America. Any requests can be sent to info@prospectxi.com or via twitter @ProspectXI.
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Jamaica
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Honduras
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Panama
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Mexico
2016 MLS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT – NCAA DIV-2 TOP UNDRAFTED SENIORS
By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)
The 2015 NCAA Division 2 Men’s Soccer Season saw Pfeiffer from North Carolina win their first national championship, led by the top prospect in the division and one of the top MLS prospect for the 2017 SuperDraft, Trinidad and Tobago striker Nathan Regis. Pfeiffer finished the year winning all 25 games they played, outscoring their opponents 87-18 with Regis scoring 32 goals and adding seven assists in 25 games. Regis, a Junior in 2015, is eligible for one more year of school and so far has 61 career goals in 65 and added 19 assists. Pfeiffer beat Cal Poly Pomona 4-0 in the final to win the championship game with Regis scoring two goals.
In the 2016 MLS SuperDraft two NCAA Division 2 players were drafted as projected. Tony Alfaro was a top 40 pick going 27th overall to Seattle while Vancouver drafted German forward Christopher Hellman who played in the fifth division of German Soccer before attending Lynn University. The following are the top 25 players from NCAA Division 2 according to ProspectXI who were available in the 2016 MLS Draft but were not drafted. These players are now regarded as free agents and can be offered trials/contracts by MLS, NASL, USL, PDL, NPSL club or a club outside of Canada and the United States.
PROSPECTXI – SCOUTING PANAMA
By: Kamal Hylton
As a compliment to our other CONCACAF scouting lists, PXI continues to look at top prospects through the region by focusing on Costa Rica and the Costa Rican Primara Division. A nation that has qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup eight times, including 2015 in New Zealand, and has seen the likes of Saprissa, Alajuelense and Herediano reach the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.
The following is PXI’s current scouting list for domestically based Costa Rican players. All of these players are between 16-24 years old, with the goal being to make updates to this list 1-2 times per year by adding new prospects via our scouting or through contacts in the country and remove others that fall outside the age range. We’re aiming to cover other countries within the Caribbean and Central America. Any requests can be sent to info@prospectxi.com or via twitter @ProspectXI.
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Jamaica
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Honduras
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Costa Rica
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Mexico
2016 MLS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT – NCAA DIV-1 TOP UNDRAFTED SENIORS
By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)
The following are the top 25 players from NCAA Division 1 according to ProspectXI who were available in the 2016 MLS Draft but were not drafted. The list doesn’t include Todd Wharton or Callum Irving, who were given senior player contracts by MLS and despite not being drafted we feel they will get an opportuntiy to repersent a MLS club during the 2016 season. These players are now regarded as free agents and can be offered trials/contracts by MLS, NASL, USL, PDL, NPSL club or a club outside of Canada and the United States.
PROSPECTXI – SCOUTING MEXICO
By: Kamal Hylton
As a compliment to our first CONCACAF scouting lists, PXI continues to look at top prospects through the region by focusing on Mexico and Liga MX. The most successful nation at both domestic and international level, Mexico has be lauded for its production and development of talent and it has carried over into success in CONCACAF Champions League by winning 31 combined championships overall and the last seven in a row, 13 CONCACAF U-20 championships and have had Olympic success winning gold in 2012.
The following is PXI’s current scouting list for domestically based Mexican players. All of these players are between 16-24 years old, with the goal being to make updates to this list 1-2 times per year by adding new prospects via our scouting or through contacts in the country and remove others that fall outside the age range.
We’re aiming to cover other countries within the Caribbean and Central America. Any requests can be sent to info@prospectxi.com or via twitter @ProspectXI.
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Jamaica
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Costa Rica
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Honduras
Other Work: ProspectXI – Scouting Panama
PROSPECTXI – 2016 MLS SUPERDRAFT ANALYSIS/BEST AVAILABLE
By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)
On Thursday, January 14th saw the first two rounds of the MLS SuperDraft take place. The draft was highlighted by a number of trades which saw Chicago Fire draft British and former Manchester United youth player Jack Harrison 1st Overall only to see him traded to NYCFC in exchange for the fourth pick where the Fire drafted Brandon Vincent. Colorado also traded the second overall pick to the Philadelphia Union in exchange for Zach Pfeffer and allocation money, giving them three of first six picks where they drafted PXI top prospect Joshua Yaro, Fabian Herbers and former Union reserve player Keegan Rosenberry who didn’t qualify for a Homegrown Contract. The top 10 went as planned according to our scouting except for Toronto FC who picked Tsubasa Endoh, a 24-year-old Japanese midfielder who was in our top 100 NCAA prospects all season although in our own communication many thought he be picked much later in the draft.
MLS teams again put an emphasis on athleticism in Orlando drafting Hadji Barry, Colorado picking Emmanuel Appiah, and FC Dallas picking 6’7 keeper Ryan Herman. We at ProspectXI see the positive attributes of these players, but traditionally in the MLS these athlete first/soccer ability second prospects have failed to materialize if you look at previous drafts. While players such as Endoh, Justin Bilyeu and second round pick Alex Morrell recently came off a strong combine, something that seems to have had a significant influence on where they were picked.
PROSPECTXI – SCOUTING WITH STATISTICS – 2015 MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
The following is the 2015 Major League Soccer Final Regular Season Individual Club Statistics using ProspectXI Scouting with Statistics format. Cap Hit is the percentage each player counted to their teams salary cap. Cap hit under 100% means team spent less then the cap in 2015, over 100% means teams used additional allocation funds during the 2015 season. The data for each player is averaged out of 90 minutes of play with games showing the percentage the player played during the 2015 season. Keeper touch data for MLS only includes passing distribution.
Feel free to contact us at info@prospectxi.com and follow us on twitter at @ProspectXI.
Other Work: Scouting with Statistics – 2015/2016 German Bundesliga
Other Work: Scouting with Statistics – 2015/2016 English Premier League
PROSPECTXI – 2016 MLS SUPERDRAFT FINAL RANKINGS
By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)
After scouting the available players in detail for the 2016 MLS SuperDraft the following is ProspectXI rank of the Top 40 players based on value for a MLS club.
Certain MLS criteria has an influence in the selection such as being to signed to a GA contract which means the salary does not count against a teams cap for at minimum the 2016 MLS season and international player restriction on non United States national players.
Click on each players name to get in-depth scouting report and information on that player.
PROSPECTXI – SCOUTING WITH STATISTICS – 2015-2016 GERMAN BUNDESLIGA (1/5/2016)
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
The following is the 2015/2016 German Bundesliga Individual Club Statistics up to January 5th 2016 using ProspectXI Scouting with Statistics format. The data for each player is averaged out of 90 minutes of play with games showing the percentage the player has played so far this season.
Feel free to contact us at info@prospectxi.com and follow us on twitter at @ProspectXI.
Other Work: Scouting with Statistics – 2015/2016 English Premier League
Other Work: Scouting with Statistics – 2015 Major League Soccer
PROSPECTXI – SCOUTING WITH STATISTICS – 2015-2016 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE (1/5/2016)
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
The following is the 2015/2016 English Premier League Individual Club Statistics up to January 5th 2016 using ProspectXI Scouting with Statistics format. Through the ideas of an analytical partner, we added the metric of Successful Passes in the Final Third (Fin-3rd) to this information to add additional analysis to the work. The data for each player is averaged out of 90 minutes of play with games showing the percentage the player has played so far this season.
Feel free to contact us at info@prospectxi.com and follow us on twitter at @ProspectXI.
Other Work: Scouting with Statistics – 2015/2016 German Bundesliga
Other Work: Scouting with Statistics – 2015 Major League Soccer
PROSPECTXI – SCOUTING WITH STATISTICS
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
I started producing my own database for the United States and Canada for players playing in established academies and clubs from the age of 14. I also started collecting data for youth/reserve leagues in England, Germany, France, and Italy in Europe over the past four years.
Data for these leagues is limited and in most cases information only includes Games Played, Games Started, Minutes Played, Goals, and disciplinary Cards while for some leagues I have also been able to get game commentary and collect goal details, Assists, and shot information. I feel this information is useful for initial analysis and have recorded similar data for close to 60 professional leagues in the World the past 20+ years and identified talent through analysis with this data – including Jamie Vardy while he was in the English Conference.
Q&A WITH STANFORD CARDINAL MIDFIELDER ERIC VERSO
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
As part of our 2016 MLS SuperDraft coverage, Prospect Eleven (PXI) was fortunate enough to get some time with a promising player from one of the top NCAA D-1 programs. Culminating in winning the 2015 NCAA National Championship, contributing with a goal and assist in the 4-0 win over Clemson Tigers, Stanford Cardinal midfielder Eric Verso (EV) has proven himself to be a influential playmaker over his four years in the collegiate game and an interesting prospect amongst the players invited to the 2016 MLS Player Combine.
In this interview we covered his progression from freshman to senior at Stanford, playing with other high quality prospects like Jordan Morris, Brandon Vincent and Ty Thompson, becoming mentally strong through dealing with injury and more.
2015 NCAA DIV-1 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
The 2015 NCAA Div-1 National Championship game was held this past weekend in Kansas City, ending a very busy 2015 United States soccer season. The final four started on Friday involving Stanford, Akron, Clemson and Syracuse. All four schools had successful 2015 campaigns, but there were some surprises leading up the final four. This included the elimination of #1 ranked Wake Forest and PXI tournament favourite Georgetown who lost out on penalties to Boston College as well as power teams like North Carolina and Notre Dame. UCLA also capped off a disappointing season, losing in the second round to Seattle.
PROSPECT XI 2015 NCAA TEAM OF THE YEAR
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Check out who made the final cut for PXI’s 2015 NCAA DIV-1 Team of the Year.
Q&A WITH HUMBER HAWKS HEAD COACH MICHAEL AQUINO
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
In our continued coverage of the collegiate game, looking at NCAA Div-1 and most recently CIS soccer on our brother site RedNation Online, PXI had a chance to discuss CCAA, OCAA and Canadian collegiate soccer with Humber Hawks Head Coach Michael Aquino fresh off winning its fifth CCAA Men’s Soccer Championship. In this interview we touch on his background, the recruiting process, Canadian collegiate soccer’s fit within the North American soccer pyramid and more.
2015 PROSPECT XI NASL TEAM ANALYSIS – TAMPA BAY ROWDIES
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The 2015 Rowdies was built around Bulgarian attacking midfielder Georgi Hristov, the 30-year-old has been one of the top goalscorer and provider since joining the NASL in 2013. New manager Thomas Rongen brought in a number of interesting attacking players, including former MLS strikers Maicon Santos and Corey Herzog as well as Brian Shriver who has a history of scoring goals at this level and Darwin Espinal a 20-year-old prospect from Honduras that played college soccer in America. The Rowdies had a very strong Spring Season, but a 2-0 loss to the Cosmos cost them the spring title finishing with a 5-4-1 record in second place.
2015 PROSPECT XI NASL TEAM ANALYSIS – SAN ANTONIO SCORPIONS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Since joining the NASL, San Antonio have been one of the more ambitious teams in the league and 2015 was no different. Manager Alen Macrina brought in former MLS players Omar Cummings, Nana Attakora and Marvin Chavez as well as Pablo Cruz and Zourab Tsiskardze. Despite the large turnover, success in 2015 depended on returning players Rafael Castillo, Billy Forbes, and Cesar Elizondo. In the spring season the Scorpions made the highlight reel for sensational goals, but struggled in defence and finished 7th. As a result, the Scorpions traded for Brad Rusin and brought in additional defender Milton Palacios and keeper Daniel Fernandes.
2015 PROSPECT XI NASL TEAM ANALYSIS – OTTAWA FURY
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
It would be harsh to say that Ottawa’s expansion season in 2014 was a disappointment, but the 8th place finish was worse than expected including team manager Marc Dos Santos and his brother in Fury’s Football Director Philip. So it was surprising that most of the core Fury players going into the 2015 season were players returning from the 2014 season. They did add Toronto FC players Ryan Richter and Andrew Wiederman as full-time Fury players and also signed NASL players Mike Randolph, Rafael Alves, Brandon Poltonieri, Paulo Araujo and Colin Falvey from Charleston in USL. The big off-season was return of Julian de Guzman to Canada, the all-time capped Canadian international had difficult time with Toronto FC before returning to play in Europe.
2015 PROSPECT XI NASL TEAM ANALYSIS – NEW YORK COSMOS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The Cosmos have continued its dominance of the NASL, winning asecond Soccer Cup in 2015 with a 3-2 home win against the Ottawa Fury, a third seasonal championship and their first Woosnam Cup for top team overall during the regular season. The Cosmos did have to rebuild in the off-season letting go of Jemal Johnson, Joseph Nane, Stefan Dimitrov, Hans Denissen and 2014 top scorer Mads Stokkelien. The Cosmos showed its financial and name clout they have over other teams in MLS, with the ability of signing players such as ex-Real Madrid star forward Raul and Argentinian forward Gaston Cellerino who with Raul scored a goal against Fort Lauderdale in the semis and scored a hat-trick in the Soccer Cup finals.
2015 PROSPECT XI NASL TEAM ANALYSIS – MINNESOTA UNITED
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Like Atlanta, Minnesota was selected as a MLS expansion franchise that is expected to begin play in either 2017 or 2018. However unlike the Silverbacks, the Minnesota MLS team has deep connections to the NASL team and expect to make the natural transition like Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, and Montreal have done in the past. Manager Manny Lagos is the favourite to remain as manager when the club becomes a MLS franchise and there are some key players that could still be useful for United when they join MLS. That said, Minnesota did sell Miguel Ibarra to Mexican side Club Leon just prior to the 2015 NASL Fall Season.
2015 PROSPECT XI NASL TEAM ANALYSIS – JACKSONVILLE ARMADA
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Jacksonville Armada is the most recent expansion team to NASL. In developing the team for the 2015 season, Jacksonville put a major effort on foreign talent with only a handful Americans on the team. They did sign players with previous American experience such as English attacking player Jemal Johnson and former Orlando City keeper Miguel Gallardo as well as Jamaican Akeil Barrett and Haitians Mechack Jerome and Pascal Millien. The team also signed a number of Argentinean players, including the clubs first manager Jose Villarreal.
2015 PROSPECT XI NASL TEAM ANALYSIS – INDY ELEVEN
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Since joining the NASL, Indy Eleven have arguably been the most successful club off the field. Leading the league again in overall attendance, despite the ongoing issues in finding the finances to build the club their own soccer specific stadium. The club on the field have struggled and have yet to compete in one split season, finishing a team high fifth in spring which resulted in the firing of head coach Juergen Sommer. The struggles continued during the fall season, where Indy finished ninth overall and eight points out of a playoff spot.
2015 PROSPECT XI NASL TEAM ANALYSIS – FORT LAUDERDALE STRIKERS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The Strikers finished 8th in the Spring Championship, leading to the resignation of the manager Marcelo Neveleff. Despite finishing 4th in the fall season under manager Gunter Kronsteiner, the club still gained enough points in total to make the final playoff spot for the Soccer Bowl. Fort Lauderdale finished with an 11-11-8 record, making the playoffs by two points and also outscoring its opponents by nine goals. In the Semi-Finals against the New York Cosmos, Fort Lauderdale took the lead on a goal from Victor PC but lost the game 2-1.
2015 PROSPECT XI NASL TEAM ANALYSIS – FC EDMONTON
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Playing in a stadium with a capacity of 5000 and averaging an attendance of less then 3000, developing a winning side in Edmonton is always a struggle and despite strong ownership and a manager Colin Miller with a long history in the Canadian game it might be time to question the overall direction of the team. Despite a stronger fall season, the Eddies finished tied for sixth overall winning only nine games and a repeat performance for the club since coming into the league with the issue being the same an inability to create chances based on conservative play.
2015 PROSPECT XI NASL TEAM ANALYSIS – CAROLINA RAILHAWKS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Although never wining the Soccer Bowl, Carolina has been historically one of the top clubs in NASL including two regular season championships since 2011. 2015 was a very competitive soccer market in the region, one that included three USL clubs. Carolina finished the 2015 season tied for sixth place overall ,finishing third in the spring season tying five of their 10 games and seventh in the fall season. Finishing the season with only nine wins an attracting around 4,500 attendees per game.
2015 PROSPECT XI NASL TEAM ANALYSIS – ATLANTA SILVERBACKS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Atlanta was one of the key American soccer cities in 2014 with the announcement of a new MLS franchise Atlanta United FC, who will start play in 2017 and includes construction of a new 28,000 seat soccer specific stadium. While there was great excitement regarding the new MLS franchise, it has been a struggle for the Silverbacks forcing the league to take over ownership of the club in 2015. Atlanta struggled out the gate, averaging only 4000 per game (second lowest NASL), finished 8th overall and last place in the spring season and 6th in the fall season but 20 points out of first.
2015 NCAA DIV-1 NATIONAL TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW – ROAD TO COLLEGE CUP
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The NCAA Division 1 National Tournament first round starts on Thursday November 19th and finishes on December 13th in Kansas City.
In a very competitive soccer season, there were a number of schools that expected to perform better but in the end didn’t make the tournament. A number of these teams had multiple players in our Top 100 NCAA Prospect Watchlist including Louisville, St Louis, Washington and Michigan State. Other teams made the tournament but have underperformed, including last year championship finalists UCLA and Virginia.
Here is our preview for all schools in the tournament:
Q&A WITH SAINT LOUIS FC GM JEREMY ALUMBAUGH
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The 2015 United Soccer League (USL) season turned out to be a key moment for the North American prospect, seeing the addition of seven MLS reserve teams that joined the LA Galaxy II’s lead in 2014 and six inaugural franchises. Within our USL coverage, Prospect Eleven (PXI) wanted to get a better perspective behind the running and development of a club through the eyes of a key figure. Speaking with Saint Louis FC General Manager Jeremy Alumbaugh (JA), we covered what the club learned in its inaugural season, the St. Louis soccer market and more.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – SAINT LOUIS FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Finishing with a 8-9-11 record and a 9th place finish in the Eastern Conference, St. Louis finished eight points shy of the final playoff place in its inaugural season. Basing the team around local talent from in and around the Midwestern United States, including CEO and Owner Jim Kavanaugh who attended Saint Louis University, GM Jeremy Alumbaugh who worked as Director of Coaching with St. Louis Scott Gallagher and within the Chicago Fire system and Head Coach Dale Schilly who is a St. Louis native and a fixture within the soccer community. The club also has a MLS affiliation with the Chicago Fire, giving players a direct pathway from USL to MLS as well as giving young Chicago Fire players a place to develop. St. Louis play at the 5,500 seat World Wide Technology Soccer Park, averaging a season attendance of 4,885 people.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
It would have been very difficult for the 2015 Sacramento Republic to out do the 2014 team. The expansion team in 2014 had an incredible season, finishing 2nd overall in the league standings, crushing attendance records that included sell out crowds of 20,231 and then went on to beat Wilmington, LA Galaxy II and Harrisburg to win the USL Championship in its inaugural season. With talk of a potential MLS expansion, the team had a lot of momentum including USL 2014 Coach of Year Preki in charge and one of the most experienced roster in the league.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The Hammerheads have been in the USL since 2011, including winning the league championship in 2012. 2015 was a transition season for Wilmington, with David Irving no longer in charge at the beginning of a season for the first time in 16 years. Wilmington also changed their MLS affiliation with Toronto FC after the Canadian side started its own “B” team, Wilmington choosing to strike up a relationship with New York City FC. Hopes were still high with the signing of Jurtin Moose, returning to the US from Finland, as well as Larry Jackson, Aaron Wheeler and Nick Zimmerman.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – VANCOUVER WHITECAPS 2
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The Whitecaps FC 2 ended its inaugural season with a 8-6-14 record, finishing 11th in the 12 team Western Conference and on 30 points (12 points adrift of the playoffs). Coach Alan Koch did have some positives to take from the teams first campaign, seeing many players gain first team opportunities with the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS. the likes of goalkeeper Marco Carducci, defenders Tim Parker and Christian Dean, midfielders Marco Bustos and Kianz Froese as well as forward Caleb Clarke all gaining good experience and splitting time between USL and MLS. This is a team that also showed some commitment to developing Canadian talent, with Froese, Bustos, Clarke as well as Jackson Farmer all getting recent international call-ups while others received significant minutes this season with the club and are helping potentially deepen the Canadian pool of players.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – TULSA ROUGHNECKS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Another expansion team for the 2015 USL season, although management first looked at the idea of a club in 2013 and Tula has a soccer history including an original NASL team with the same name that won the 1983 Soccer Bowl. The club brought in David Irving to run the side, who previous was in charge of the Wilmington Hammerheads since 1998 and American pro soccer since 1990. Irving brought in a collection of USL based players as well as players coming out of college or PDL. Prominent names included senior Mexican forward Samuel Ochoa as well as defender Kyle Venter and forward Gibson Bardsley.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – TORONTO FC II
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
After dominating in the inaugural League One Ontario season, Toronto FC establish a USL program feeling they had a good core of decent talent that could perform at the USL level. Highlighted by current Homegrown players Quillan Roberts, Chris Mannella, Manny Aparicio and Jordan Hamilton, while also adding new Homegrown signing Jay Chapman as well as draft picks Alex Bono, Clement Simonin, Skylar Thomas, Wesley Charpie, Edwin Rivas and Sal Bernal, TFC II chose not to sign any other players outside its own system feeling the academy players could make the jump to USL.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – SEATTLE SOUNDERS 2
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Ending its inaugural season in playoff position, with a 13-3-12 record that was good enough for the 6th and final playoff spot, Seattle Sounders 2 were not able to get out of the first round losing to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 2-0 on September 26, 2015. Coached by Ezra Hendrickson, this is a team that did show a far amount of talent through players like Argentine midfielder Pablo Rossi ending with a team leading 8 goals, Andy Craven finishing with 5 goals and 5 assists while the likes of forwards Darwin Jones, Victor Manssaray and former Sigma FC and Canadian international Giuliano Frano all making major contributions.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – ROCHESTER RHINOS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Going into the season, it was expected that a Bob Lilly managed team would be organized team and strong in defence. There was some concerns about where the goals would come, this coming due to the departure of JC Banks. The club also lost key players Lance Rozeboom, Tyler Rosenlund, Kyler Hoffer, Patrick Slogic and keeper John McCarthy who made the move to MLS. To replace these players, the Rhinos signed cut Timbers 2 player Christian Volesky, free agent Grant van Casteele and foreign signings in Greek defender Vassilios Apostolopoulos, Jamaican Kenardo Forbes and Angolan Steevan Douba.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – RICHMOND KICKERS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The Kickers have been one of the most successful teams in USL over the past few years. Richmond has established a great relationship with MLS side DC United, who themselves have a strong youth development team. 15 year head coach Leigh Cowlishaw has been able to recruit a core of USL veterans, players that are still motivated to succeed at the USL level. 2015 looked like a season with high hopes, DC United loaning Richmond keeper Travis Worra, defenders Jalen Robinson and Luke Mishu as well as midfielders Jared Jeffrey and Colin Martin. The Kickers saw top scorers Matthew Delicate and George Davis return along with key defenders William Yomby and Sascha Gorres, while Bryan Ownby who had success both on loan with Richmond and Pittsburgh from Houston Dynamo signed as a full-time player. The Kickers went undefeated in its first seven games and only lost two of its first 12 games. Ownby was looking like a great signing, long term injuries to Ownby as well as DC United prospects Colin Martin and Jared Jeffrey saw the Kickers struggle to dominate weaker opponents and many opportunities to win ended up in draws.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – REAL MONARCHS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
There was a lot of hope for the Real Salt Lake “B” Team Real Monarchs after much heralded success of the Real Salt Lake Arizona Academy club, a dominant force in USSDA soccer. The club hired Real Salt Lake Arizona assistant coach Federico Juarez and the club was supposed to include RSL Homegrown prospects Eduardo Fernandez, Justen Glad, Adolfo Ovalle and Sebastian Saucedo. The club also included RSL draft picks Body Okwuonu, Jordan Murrell, and Lucas Baldin as well as signing Ricardo Valazco, Emery Welshman, Coco Navarro, Rilley McGovern, Maikon Orellana and Brazilian and former NASL player Celestino Lennon.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – PORTLAND TIMBERS 2
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Portland Timbers announced their “B” team at the end of the 2014 season, but unlike other MLS clubs they hired a coach outside of its own system in Jay Vidovich. Jay was the long time coach at Wake Forest, a strong school in NCAA Division 1 where he developed many future MLS players. Without a large amount of academy players, T2 signed a group of college players, including players the Timbers drafted, and ventured outside the US system to sign or loan in foreign talent.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Fear of bankruptcy hung over the Riverhounds in 2014, effecting the club on the pitch with the team finishing 11th overall. The club signed veteran USL head coach Mark Steffens for the 2015 season, who confirmed the full time signing of Anthony Arena, signing USL players Stephen Okai and Drew Russell and replacing starting keeper Hunter Gilstrap with Jamaican international Ryan Thompson. The season started off with a bang defeating Harrisburg 5-2 win, a 5-1 win over Toronto FC II and another win over Harrisburg in a 6-5 thriller during the first half of the season, however the Riverhounds ultimately struggled for consistency by tying game they should have won. Pittsburgh would finish the season fifth in the Eastern Conference, just making the playoffs but would go on to lose to the New York Red Bulls II in the first round of the playoffs.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – ORANGE COUNTY BLUES
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The Blues were heading into their 5th USL season, which so far has been a struggle with attendances averaging less then 1000 and missing the playoffs two out of the four previous seasons. There was some hope on the pitch going into 2015 with a few key players returning, including defender Josh Suggs, midfielder Christopher Santana and forward Chris Cortez. Swiss manager Oliver Wyss brought in countryman Didier Cretttenand, Dutchman Denzel Slager and loaned in Dennis Ramirez from El Salvadorain club Atletico Marte.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – OKLAHOMA CITY ENERGY
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
OKC Energy played its second season in the USL under the management of former Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, who brought in fellow Dane’s Sebastian Dalgaard and Danni Konig to join the roster. Both players made a huge impact, Dalgaard scoring six goals while Koning scored 21 goals and added four assists. OKC finish tied for 1st in the Western Conference and also made it to the Western Conference Final, winning in the playoffs over Colorado Springs on penalty kicks before losing to LA Galaxy II 2-1 in front of 7,654 at Taft Stadium.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – NEW YORK RED BULLS II
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The Red Bulls have been one of the top academy clubs in the history of the USSDA, but were hesitant about starting a USL club. NYRB II were forced to play their games at the Red Bull Arena, which lead to third worst attendance in the league. The club drafted well in 2015, bringing in Leo Stolz, Manolo Sanchez, Dan Metzger and Steven McLaws as well as Homegrown signing Sean Davis. They also brought in some young MLS quality players in Karl Ouimette, Devon “Speedy” Williams and Stefano Bonomo. Red Bulls also had some homegrown players on the senior roster, including keeper Santiago Castano and midfielder Marius Obekop who were loaned out to the “B” side while the rest of the team was filled with Red Bull academy players and other mostly young talent in the United States.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – FC MONTREAL
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
FC Montreal went into its inaugural USL season with high expectation after having successful runs as an academy team in the USSDA. FC Montreal ran by academy coach Philippe Eullaffroy had roster with the average age of only 21 years of age, which included the giving games to Impact veterans Eric Kronberg, Hassoun Camara, Eric Alexander while also giving a trial to Kenny Cooper. In total the club gave games to 42 players, including ten teenagers, which showed in the results as FC Montreal finish 10th in the Eastern Conference winning only eight of the clubs 28 games.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – LOUISVILLE CITY FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Despite some early weather issues and playing in a Baseball Stadium, Louisville had a very strong inaugural season in USL finishing second in attendance averaging 6800 a game and also making it to the Eastern Conference playoff final before losing out to the Rochester Rhinos. Louisville finished the season 2nd in Eastern Conference with a 14 wins, 6 draws, and 8 loss record ahead of more established clubs like Charleston, Pittsburgh, Richmond and Harrisburg. Former English Championship player James O’Conner used his experience as an assistant in Orlando City to recruit a good core of players, having one of the most consistent lineups in the league.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – LA GALAXY II
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The Galaxy continued to show why they are the top MLS franchise, not only through the success of the first team but also seeing LA Galaxy II making the 2015 USL finals and bringing through the quality of players to put the club in this position. A year ago when Galaxy II were the first to announce a “B” team in USL, they did so to provide minutes to key prospects such as Jack McBean, Jamie and Jose Villarreal, Oscar Sorto, Raul Mendiola and Braford Jamieson. They chose fill the rest of the roster with yet developed academy players and more experienced players such as Daniel Steres, Andre Auras, Travis Bowen and Rafeal Garcia. All players return in 2015, with the Galaxy II also able to sign Ariel Lassiter, Joe Franco, Alejandro Covarrubias as well keeper Clement Diop and Bradley Diallo from France.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
One of the stronger clubs in USL history, who also has a good relationship with MLS club Philadelphia Union, were exciting to watch in 2015 but were also regarded as a disappointment by not qualifying for the playoffs. Harrisburg finished 8th in the Eastern Conference and although they tied for the fourth amount of goals in the league with 49 they also allowed 53 goals. Veteran keeper Nick Noble can’t be blamed for many goals allowed, but him and more experienced defenders Shane Johnson and Yann Ekra could have played better. Midfielders Ken Tribbett, Enric Velles, Jose Barril and Jimmy McLaughlin on loan from the Union showed good offensive skills but also struggled defensively.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
A 2014 expansion team in USL, Colorado Springs Switchbacks and city are expected to have a long term commitment to the league having signed a 10 year lease on Sand Creek Stadium. The Stadium holds 3,500 and the Switchbacks averaged about half of that during the 2015 USL season, finishing 3rd in the Western Conference and making the USL playoffs. Colorado Springs hosted Sounders 2 in the first round winning 2-0 at home in front of 2500, but lost in penalty kicks to OKC Energy after tying the game in extra time. Head Coach Steve Trittschuh brought in an experienced team that showed their quality in the playoff run.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Charlotte had the Eagles in USL for a number of seasons but after they decided to move to PDL, The Independence came in as a USL expansion team. The club played at a temporary stadium and struggled throughout the season with attendance, averaging less then 2,000 per game. However former MLS coach Mike Jeffries and an affiliation with the Colorado Rapids allowed the club to be ambitious in terms of recruiting, which almost paid of as Charlotte just missed the playoffs by one point finishing in 7th place in the Eastern Conference.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – CHARLESTON BATTERY
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
One of the most established clubs in USL, the Charleston Battery and ten year head coach Michael Anhaeuser showed it again in 2015. Charleston only lost six of their 28 regular season game, finished third in the Eastern Conference and made the playoffs. They beat the Richmond Kickers at home in extra time in the first round, but lost in Louisville 2-0 in the Conference semi-finals another game that went into extra time. Charleston moved MLS affiliation from Vancouver to Houston, but has also developed a team with USL veterans and has done very well attaining Caribbean players including ones from Cuba.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – AUSTIN AZTEX
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
There was a lot of hope regarding the Aztex making the transition from a successful PDL club to USL. The Aztex may have had the nicest logo and jerseys. They were lead by Paul Dalglish, son of Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish and the PDL club won the championship in 2013, developing players like Kekuta Manneh. The club recruited some very interesting players including prospect Mikey Ambrose to leave Maryland and join the Aztex. They also signed former Aztex PDL player Kristopher Tyrpak, one of the most exciting forwards in United States not playing in the MLS. They also signed USL quality veterans in defender Kyle Hoffer, holding midfielder Lance Rozeboom and attacking midfielder Drew Yates.
2015 PROSPECT XI USL TEAM ANALYSIS – ARIZONA UNITED SC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Since Arizona came into USL they have struggled establishing themselves as a long term club. Originally in the league as part of Phoenix FC, the team changed ownership and name and had to start the 2014 season without a front office, stadium or roster. The club was able to put together a team that finished 9th after an end of the season run. The 2015 season looked like one of opportunity with the club moving to Scottsdale Stadium, their third stadium in three years. They also created a relationship with FC Dallas, which added option for players, but United were still one of the last teams to set their rosters for the 2015 season.
PXI 2015 FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP ANALYSIS
By: Kamal Hylton
Having already given analysis of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup back in the summer, Prospect XI wanted to do a similar analysis of the upcoming 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup that goes from October 17, 2015 to November 8, 2015. Being hosted by Chile, the field of nations competing in the tournament have a number of interesting prospects.
However, unlike the U-20 tournament with more established players with a notable track record, the same can’t be said of these players. Many of these prospects are at an age where they’re still developing or just beginning to break onto the scene. This being the case, there is a lack of documented playing time and a lot of these players are actually getting more time internationally within the youth system than at club level.
ProspectXI 2015 Top 100 Players 20 Years Old or Under
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Prospect Eleven’s 2015 Top 100 International U-20 Player List.
PXI INTERNATIONAL U-20 DRAFT – TEAM KAMAL
By: Kamal Hylton
In the first annual Prospect XI International U-20 Draft, myself and Aaron went head-to-head picking a FIFA style teams of young prospects. It was apparent right away that both of us had different draft strategies, I opted to go the route of taking players versatile players, went more defensive both in my formation and selections, took players with a projected high upside and a few picks that are personal favourites of mine or I have some connection toward.
PXI INTERNATIONAL U-20 DRAFT – TEAM AARON
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
I was very happy how my draft turned out regarding the first annual PXI Prospect U-20 Draft. I might have not have drafted the players currently with the highest value, and when analyzing players who have yet to reach the age of 20 there is some guess work in terms who is going to turn out being the next greats, but I was pleased with whom I picked and these are the reasons why.
U.S. OLYMPIC QUALIFYING ROSTER ANALYSIS
By: Kamal Hylton
Having come off a 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup Quarter-final finish, U.S. Soccer’s next focus at the U-20 level is attempting to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Coach of the U-23 Olympic squad Andi Herzog named his 20 player roster for the qualification tournament, coming in as host and drawn in Group A alongside Canada, Cuba and Panama.
GRASSROOTS SOCCER IN ONTARIO AND OPDL
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
Recently I had chance to speak with Gary Miller, Technical Director or the Ontario Soccer Association, regarding the introduction and development of the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL). A new elite program in Canada’s largest province seeking to help develop players to reach high level college or professional soccer as well as representing Canadian National teams.
EXAMINING LTPD, OPDL AND CANADIAN GRASSROOTS SOCCER
By: Kamal Hylton
With this article, PXI wanted take a closer look at how soccer development is shaping up within our own backyard. To help with this, we’ve spoken to a number of coaches, organizers, technical directors and others in prominent positions within grassroots soccer in Canada. Within the province of Ontario, there was a big shift in 2014 in restructuring the education of young players and coaches with the implementation of Long Term Player Development (LTPD) and leagues like League One Ontario (L1O) and Ontario Player Development League (OPDL).
FOREIGN NCAA-D1 PROSPECTS WORTH THE RISK IN 2016 MLS SUPERDRAFT
By: Kamal Hylton
With Prospect XI ramping up its coverage ahead of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft when it comes to NCAA D-1 soccer there are three distinct groups of collegiate players that stand out, North American players that will declare for the draft, North American players already under Homegrown contract with an MLS club and for me arguably the most interesting group being foreign players that will declare for the draft. As we wrote in our Top NCAA Division 1 Programs to Watch article, there are a number of programs ranging from top pedigree to mid majors that possess promising talent with MLS potential.
While MLS clubs have been reluctant in the past to commit an international roster spot to a foreign-born collegiate prospect, choosing instead to use those roster spots on players with more experience or notoriety, this looks set to change in the years to come with clubs committing more time and energy into finding and developing young players through academies and creating minor league affiliates within the United Soccer League (USL) akin to those that are in baseball.
2016 MLS PROSPECTS – 2015 NCAA DIVISION PLAYERS TO WATCH
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Prospect XI’s Updated List Of 2016 MLS Prospects performance during 2015 NCAA College Season.
TOP NCAA DIVISION 1 PROGRAMS TO WATCH IN 2015
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
Georgetown are PXI’s favourites to win the 2015 NCAA Division 1 National Championship. With the talk of other players Brandon Allen has kind of been forgotten, but the New York Red Bulls homegrown player is NCAA D1 active leader in goals with 38 goals. Junior Joshua Yaro was regarded by many in the top three players in college last season while Seniors Keegan Rosenberry and Cole Seiler are potential picks in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Future prospects include Junior winger Alex Muyl and Sophomore Arun Beuljevic, both New York Red Bulls homegrown prospects as well as San Jose Earthquakes Homegrown player and freshman JT Marcinkowski, who could be the starting keeper in 2015. Georgetown play Creighton, UCLA, Maryland, and Akron during the regular season and all must watch games.
2015 NPSL Recap
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
The NPSL 2015 final brought great hope to the fourth division of American football, 18,227 showing up for the final to watch the home team Chattanooga FC take on New York Cosmos B. The fact that Cosmos B team won the final 3-2 brings up some of the ongoing concerns with the league. Cosmos B a reserve team to the NASL club finished the regular season 11-1-0 and included 9-0, 7-0 and 6-0 wins, outscoring opponents 49-7. One of the reason for the success is the Cosmos B had players with the most soccer experience in the league, former New York Red Bulls prospect Ruben Bover and Colorado Rapids prospect John Neeskens being named to the All-NPSL first team of the season.
2015 PDL Recap
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
If you include the USISL, this was the 20th season for the US Professional Development season. With recent expansion of the USL, the PDL lost some of its impact on the soccer calendar with clubs such Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps folding its PDL clubs in order to concentrate on their USL clubs. Chicago Fire, DC United, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers and Orlando City kept its PDL club, providing an opportunity to scout current college players better whileNew York Red Bulls U-23 moved to PDL from NPSL and Toronto FC played their academy team in the league.
PXI’s 2015-2016 PROSPECT ANALYSIS – GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The German Bundesliga has been given a lot of respect in recent years as a league that can make a profit and provide the best package to its fans. Although with Bayern Munchen winning the last three championships and rivals such as Borussia Dortmund struggling the league is losing its competitiveness, one could argue due to the overall acceptance of good business first it is giving clubs such as Hamburger SV and VfB Stuttgart an excuse for not challenging for the championship. One aspect of fiscal responsibility is clubs are playing its own academy players oppose to trying to find players on the transfer market, resulting in a lot of good potential prospects within the leagues.
PXI’s 2015-2016 PROSPECT ANALYSIS – DUTCH EREDIVISIE
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The Dutch Eredivisie has seen some of its top talent leave the league in recent seasons, the latest being that of Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United for €27.5 million, Georginio Wijnaldum from PSV Eindhoven to Newcastle United for €20 million and Jordy Clasie from Feyenoord Roterdam to Southampton for €12 million. However the Eredivisie sets up to be very interesting this season from a prospects persepctive, talented young players ready to step up and flourish in a very competitive league.
PXI’s 2015-2016 PROSPECT ANALYSIS – FRENCH LIGUE 1
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Although Paris Saint-Germain is gunning for its fourth consecutive domestic title, this after completing the French quadruple last season (Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue and Trophiee des Champions), France’s Ligue 1 is still well worth following with respect to the development of young talent. As one of the top producers of European prospects, young players are always being sold to big clubs in richer leagues. However, this in turn gives opportunities to players within club academies or smaller clubs to make the jump to the top division and stake their claim.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – WEST HAM UNITED FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Finishing last season in 12th place, but earning a Europa League spot due to topping the Fair Play table, the Hammers have looked for a fresh start by bringing in former Croatian national team manager and ex-West Ham player Slavan Bilic after choosing not to renew the contract of Sam Allardyce. Going into this season, the main signings are midfielders French Dimitri Payet, Pedro Obiang, Manuel Lanzini and defender Angelo Ogbonna with rumours of more signings to come. The signing of Payet from Olympique Marseille for £11 million is particularly interesting, as he can provide attacking intent, assists and is emblematic of they different type of team both Bilic and the Hammers brass is looking to build. West Ham is projected to finish 13th this season, once again doing more than enough to survive but struggle to make a Top 7 finish and an automatic place.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – WEST BROMWICH ALBION FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
West Brom had a season of turmoil seeing four different managers at the helm during the 2014-15 season, ending the season under the guidance of Tony Pulis at the turn of the year and finishing in 13th place. Pulls has seen other clubs circle some of his players as potential signings like Saido Berahino and Joleon Lescott, but the main signing the Baggies have made is forward Rickie Lambert from Liverpool for £3 million. This season is expected to be a struggle for West Brom, projected to finish in 16th place and in amongst the relegation race.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – SWANSEA CITY AFC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Last season was very successful for Swansea City. In a season that saw Gary Monk take over for Michael Laudrup, first as an interim player-manager role and then transitioning into the manager role full-time, the Swans ended with an 8th place finish on 56 points (highest finish and points total for club in English Premier League season). Coming into this season the teams key signings are Ghanian midfielder Andre Ayew, French left wingback Franck Tabanou, Portuguese forward Eder and Swedish goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt, adding to the core group that Monk had cultivated last season. Duplicating the success of 2014-15 will be very difficult, but while they have enough quality to stay out of the relegation zone, Swansea are expected to finish 14th in the “no mans land” area of lower mid-table.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
In many ways, Tottenham is still trying to replace the impact Gareth Bale had on the team a couple year ago. Although Spurs have still been active in the transfer market, they are not a club that can challenge for a Champions League spot at the moment. Tottenham has mostly tried to improve its back four this summer, bringing in Toby Alderweirald whom had a good season on loan at Southampton last year, PXI prospect Kevin Wimmer and Kieran Trippier whom was one of the most offensive defenders last season in terms of creating chances. However, Trippier was on a team where he was the go to provider, making his defensive ability a question mark as well as being in a battle for playing time behind Kyle Walker. Spurs are hoping Erik Lamela and Necer Chadli continue to be effective after acclimatizing to Premier League football. The hardest element to project whether Harry Kane will be as dominating a player as he was last season, his goal output could be the difference of a place in Europe or mid-table mediocrity.
2015-2016 SCOUTING PREVIEW OF BRENTFORD FC
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
I have followed the game of football both as a fan and statistically for close to 25 years, each year analytically trying to understand club’s transactions and the effect it has the success on a club. Over time this has become frustrating, clubs continually making decisions and coming to conclusions that I either don’t agree with or find very puzzling. So instead I tend to occupy my time with the by-products of the game, areas such as betting, video games and fantasy sports where I have more control oppose to relying on a club to make smart decisions.
This season is slightly different. I’m very excited to follow one particular club and see how the 2015-2016 season plays out, partly because the moves this particular club has made are similar to ones I myself would do – making the outcome even more interesting to me – but more importantly in my view there is finally a club making intellectual decisions and what I believe is football’s first true example of the “Moneyball” approach.
The club I’m speaking about is Brentford FC. A traditionally smaller club based in the West End of London, its best season was fifth place in the old 1st Division during the 1935-36 season and has spent most of their time in the third tier of English football. Things began to change for Brentford when Matthew Benham joined the club in 2012. Now the club’s owner, Benham has a history in the football business. This includes owner of SmartOdds, a statistical research and sports modelling service that concentrates on betting.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – STOKE CITY FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The transition of Stoke being only a long ball team to a team with more technical ability continues to happen with the signings of Ibrahim Afellay, Joselu and Marco Van Ginkel on loan from Chelsea. All three have good technical ability and can play well with Marko Arnautović, Bojan Krkic and Charlie Adam. Tactically the question becomes how much time will be given to players such as Jon Walters and Peter Crouch, whom can make a positive impact when on the pitch but change the style of play. If Mark Hughes can manage this, the club has enough ability to challenge with the clubs projected to finish from 6th to 10th and could even squeeze into a European qualifying spot. The recent signing of Glen Johnson will add experience on the back line while Ryan Shawcross is slowly becoming one of the best English defenders, something that might be needed to protect goalkeeping prospect Jack Butland finally getting his chance to be the number one keeper.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – SOUTHAMPTON FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Southampton were the analytical poster boys last season, selling off players for value that are more than they were worth and brining in players who can make an impact on the pitch. PXI thought the addition of former prospects Dusan Tadic, Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle would make them a good side offensively, but were surprised how good the team was defensively. Fraser Forster proved he was a quality keeper and the signing on loan of Ryan Bertrand prove to be a smart move. This summer Southampton have sold Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne, hoping the singings of Cedric, Steven Caulker and the continued development James Ward Prowse can keep the club in the top half of the league. Tadic’s performance should improve from last year, but there are question if Sadio Mane or Graziano Pelle will have the same goal scoring pace as last season while hoping new signings Juanmi and Jordy Clasie have a similar impact this season that the foreign signings had last season.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – NORWICH CITY FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
After earning promotion via the playoffs, after getting relegated in 2013-14, coach Alex Neil has brought the team back into the top flight in his first season as manager coming over from Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Academical. In the English Championship, the Cannaries under Neil hung its hat on attacking play and goal scoring with only fellow promoted sides AFC Bournmouth and Watford FC scoring more than the 88 goals scored by Norwich. This season the club has focused more on young talent, signing right fullback Andre Wisdom on loan from Liverpool FC and Irish winger Robbie Brady from Hull City. Where this team is projected to struggle this season is on the defensive end, being one of those typical teams that will go out to attack teams but find it difficult to find balance at the back when committing too many bodies forward. They’re projected to finish at the bottom of the table as a result, but could be one of the more exciting teams.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – NEWCASTLE UNITED FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Former England manager Steve McClaren takes over at Newcastle, but his appointment along with owner Mike Ashley is a combination that could possibly make the Magpies the team that most will not want to support. However McClaren has shown in the past an ability to manage a team beyond on its ability in the Premier League, having done so with Newcastle’s rivals in Middlesbrough. Newcastle has a few exciting players, including some signings this summer. As marketed in fantasy preview last year fullback Daryl Janmaat proved to be a good signing, especially on the offensive side of the ball while forward Ayoze Perez was capable of scoring a few goals. That said, the Premier League has yet to see the potential that Remy Cabella and Emmanuel Rivere displayed in France Ligue 1. This year the club brought in forward Aleksander Mitrovic, one of the top prospect in Belgium the last few years as well as winger from PSV Eindhoven Georginio Wijnaldum. Add to this a healthy Papiss Cisse and Newcastle United are a team with more offensive potential, but the question remains can they gel as a unit.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – MANCHESTER CITY FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Manchester United has grabbed most of the summer headlines with the club being active in the transfer market. New signings Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger will improve the club in the center of the pitch but it is difficult to see how much of an improvement they are over current central midfielders, especially on the offence. Offensive success will be based on Wayne Rooney, with the England international playing more of a striker role now that Robin Van Persie or Falcao are no longer at the club. The other big story will be the impact of Memphis Depay, who has been identified as a prospect for a number of years and potentially projected to be as impactful player as a Cristiano Ronaldo. The issue this year is most players coming to the Premier League from the Dutch Eredivisie have a drop off offensively and even players like Ronaldo took a couple of seasons to make an impact with United. Due to a lack of goals, don’t expect United to challenge City or Chelsea for the league title this season and may have to hold off Liverpool for the final Champions League spot.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – MANCHESTER CITY FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
City is projected to have the most effective offence for the 2015-2016 English Premier League season, projected to score 81 goals and amass 257 shots on target this season. New major signing Raheem Sterling is expected to be in the starting eleven and based on added chances is expected to see shot and assist totals slightly improve at Manchester City compared to Liverpool. Other starters expected to produce at the same level they’ve done in the past include Sergio Aguero whom if healthy is projected to the league leading goalscorer as well as midfielders David SIlva and Yaya Toure and orward Wilfried Bony in a substitute or starting role are all projected to be impactful offensive players this season. Keys to the season will be the play Samir Nasri, whom was one of the most effective players last season in the offensive zone although should be more involved in the final product and defender Eliaquim Mangala looks to establishing himself as one of the starting center backs. Manchester City is projected to have the highest goal difference for the 2015-2016 English Premier League season.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – LIVERPOOL FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Liverpool made some big changes this offseason, selling Raheem Sterling for a large profit as well as letting players like Steven Gerrard, Rickie Lambert and Glen Johnson leave the club. Liverpool also spent heavily in the summer, bringing in Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, Danny Ings, Nathaniel Clyne and James Milner. Both Benteke and Firmino were regarded as prospects by PXI founder Aaron Nielsen before either player was known in the larger football world, now both are worth more than 20 million each but are also effective players. Milner and Clyne also provide Liverpool with some intelligent options, but the question for Brendan Rogers will be how to integrate this talent with the talent already at the club. In terms of success this season, the continued development of Jordan Henderson helps replace Gerrard as the club leader while the health of Daniel Sturridge or the unexpected goal scoring of Mario Balotelli will have the greatest impact if Liverpool challenges for a Champions League spot. Liverpool is developing a gap with clubs below them in the league, so a fifth place finish or better is expected.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – CRYSTAL PALACE FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
After flirting with relegation under Neil Warnock around the Christmas period, it took the hiring of Alan Pardew (signing a three-and-a-half-year contract) and a subsequent £3.5 million compensation package to Newcastle United (Pardew’s former club) to ensure Premier League survival for the third consecutive season with a 10th place finish. Pardew was able to create a system that allowed wingers Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha to excel, looking now to build off a successful season. The main acquisitions from the Eagles this season are French midfielder Yohan Cabaye from Paris St. Germain, forward Conor Wickham from Sunderland and forward Patrick Bamford on loan from Chelsea FC following a stellar year with Middlesborough FC in the English Championship. Cabaye is a particularly interesting move, his connection and success under Pardew with the Magpies potentially playing a big role This is a team that has done very well staying within its means under the ownership group, headlined by co-owner and co-chairman Steve Parish, and with no key players leaving the club a mid-table finish is expected.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – WATFORD FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Newly promoted Watford is part of an interesting ownership who also own Udinese in Italy and Granada in Spain, meaning its scouting network was stronger then almost all clubs in the English Championship and many clubs in the Premier League. Players such as Juan Paredes, Gabriele Angella, Matej Vydra and Almen Abdi played a crucial part in promotion, but the clubs most valuable has been local player Troy Deeney whom has scored over 20 goals the last three seasons. The club has brought in some recruitments to transition to the Premier League, including Etienne Capoue, Jose Holebas, Valon Behrami, Allan Nyom and Steven Berghuis as well as being led by new Manager Quique Flores. In terms of the newly promoted clubs Watford should have the most talent, but what is yet known is if they have the ability to come together as a starting eleven and not be relegated.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – SUNDERLAND A.F.C.
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Dick Advocaat is a manager with a lot of experience including Holland, Scotland and Russian championships. After saving the Black Cats from relegation, he wishes to put his stamp on the club this season. Sunderland brought in three players they expect to be in the starting eleven, full back Adam Matthews whom performed well during his time with Celtic, Younes Kaboul whom looks to be the starting center back and Winger/Forward Jeremain Lens whom comes in from Dinamo Kiev after success with PSV Eindhoven in the season prior. On paper the club looks strong, but like last season there are still questions regarding performances of Lee Cattermole and Adam Johnson while Jermain Defoe will have to return to the goal scoring he achieved at his time with Tottenham if the Black Cats wish to escape the relegation dog fight.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – LEICESTER CITY
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Claudio Ranieri returns to Premier League this year, coaching a team whom remained in the Premier League last season as much on adapting the grit of Nigel Pearson than anything else. The club also loss key players such as Esteban Cambiasso, Anthony Knockaert and Matthew Upson while selling Chris Wood. The Foxes are hoping Robert Huth and German Christian Fuchs will provide some experience in the defence, while Japanese striker Shinji Okazaki will provide goals. Bench players Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy do provide a “x-factor” but overall the team is not good a Premier League quality side. With the grit and attitude missing from last season, it’s hard to see Leicester remaining in the Premier League.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – EVERTON FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Everton is a team trying to be in the top tier of English Premier League clubs, but at the same time there are reports they don’t have the financial options to compete with higher spending clubs in the league. Everton had a quite summer, however there’s hope the club have brought in a couple players that can make an impact. In Tom Cleverly and Gerrard Deulofeu, both players came through the academy at two of the biggest clubs in the world in Manchester United and Barcelona respectively but were also criticize for not making the step up and are now on their third club in three years. Deulofeu did have a successful season on loan with Everton two years ago and is hoping to duplicate that success in his second stint. The key to Everton success is still the same strong keeping by Tim Howard, full back play by Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman, and goalscoring by Romelu Lukaku. The play and continue development of Ross Barkley and John Stones is also imperative, with most of teams core already in its 30’s. Everton should challenge in the top half and be in no fear of relegation.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – CHELSEA FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The current champions made some small moves over the summer, moves that will hopefully pay off with repeat performance that won them the Premier League title in 2014-2015. The lost of players like Peter Cech and Didier Drogba will hurt the clubs overall depth, but barring injuries in those positions it shouldn’t effect the performance of the club on the pitch. The key of Chelsea success offensively is the effectiveness of their midfield, expect key players Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas to have repeat performance of last and past seasons while Oscar is expected to have a breakout season and could score double digit in league goals or assists. Juan Cuadrado should also have a more impactful season and could replace Willan in the midfield. Up front the only new major signing Falcao may also challenge Costa as the starting striker while the other signing in Asmir Begovic is mainly brought in if starting keeper Thibaut Courtois misses games through injury. Chelsea will have a tough time holding off Manchester City and like in the past head coach Jose Mourinho being the wild card.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – ASTON VILLA FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Still busy in the transfer market, Aston Villa just sold its key goal scoring threat in Christian Benteke and brought in forward Rudy Gestede to replace him. The 26-year-old Frenchmen dominated English Championship defenders with his skill in the air and although not as a clinical as Benteke, he score as many goals as the now Liverpool player. Aston Villa also brought in interesting signings Micah Richards and Scott Sinclair, both of whom never established themselves at Manchester City while hoping prospect Jack Grealish plays a bigger and more consistent role. Aston Villa still lacks quality in all position not helped by the selling of Fabian Delph, but there are signs of the club improving and not being involved in a relegation battle this season.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – ARSENAL FC
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Arsenal’s only major signing this offseason was goalkeeper Peter Cech, whose name alone might remove some of the clubs doubt in the keeper position but should have little impact on how the team performs. Arsenal is expecting strong repeat performance from Alexis Sanchez, a player that his coming in off a good summer winning the Copa America with Chile. However to challenge for the title this season, Arsenal needs improved performances from Jack Wilshire, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott as well as for starting striker Olivier Giroud to be healthy. Arguably outside of Sanchez last season, Arsenal’s top players were Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin. Both are expected to have a slight drop off this season, making the need for Wilshire, Ozil and Walcott all the more important to make up the difference. A healthy Arsenal should secure a third place position, but will have a greater challenge from Manchester Untied and Liverpool.
2015-2016 EPL FANTASY GUIDE – A.F.C. BOURNEMOUTH
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
Bournemouth were surprise champions of the 2014-15 English Championship to many last season, being a relatively small club with a stadium capacity of 11,700 and were almost relegated from the whole football league in 2009. However, manager Eddie Howe has developed a system that allowed the team to play good possession football since returning in 2012 and players like Simon Francis, Andrew Surman, Marc Pugh, Matt Ritchie and Callum Wilson lead the club to scoring almost a 100 league goals last season. History in the Premier League has shown clubs playing over their heads don’t last long in the Premier League and Bournemouth fits this criteria. While they have some interesting players whom will get to show if they can play in Premier League like Burnley last season, it most likely only one season in the top division for The Cherries.
2015 MLS HOMEGROWN GAME RECAP
By: Kamal Hylton
The second annual MLS Homegrown game saw Club America U-20 defeat the Homegrown All-Stars 5-4 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 scoreline in regulation, San Jose Eathquakes forward Tommy Thompson getting the first goal in the matches history only for it to be canceled out in the second half via a Sergio Rodriguez penalty kick.
2015 MLS HOMEGROWN ROSTER ANALYSIS
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
The second annual Major League Soccer Homegrown All-Star Game takes place on July 28, 2015. An appetizer to the main MLS All-Star Game that will see the MLS All-Stars take Tottenham Hotspur at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado, the leagues top young talent will be taking on the U-20 side of Liga MX’s America CF.
Here is the squad and how they have been progressing so far in 2015.
USSDA U-17/U-18 2014-2015 SEASON RECAP
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
The 2014-2015 USSDA U17-U18 finals was between two of the most successful MLS academies since MLS clubs joined the USSDA league, Chicago Fire defeating Real Salt Lake-AZ 3-1 in the championship game. Despite RSL-AZ being heavy favourites, the final itself was a bit of a surprise. Chicago played Sporting KC, New York Red Bulls, Houston Dynamo and Montreal Impact all before meeting RSL-AZ in the final. Chicago showed no signs of intimidation, taking the lead on a goal by Michael Jimenez in the 13th minute while a goal by Andrew Gutman gave them a 2-0 lead at half-time. Amar Sedjic pulled one back for RSL-AZ with a nice long range chip, but an own goal and red card by Danilo Acosta halted any chance at a comeback.
USSDA U-15/U-16 2014-2015 SEASON RECAP
By: Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports)
The 2014-2015 USSDA season at the U15-U16 age group came to a completion on July 18th, 2015 with FC Dallas, whom finished 19-3-5 during regular beating the New York Red Bulls comfortably 4-0 in the finals. The Red Bulls, the most dominant side in USSDA soccer, finished the 2014-2015 regular season with a 23-1-2 record and had a 5-0 playoff record heading in to the game with FC Dallas.
GOING THE COLLEGIATE/ACADEMY ROUTE: BORN AND BRED NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER STARS
By: Kamal Hylton
While the story of the traveling prospect trying to make his way in the areas where soccer was born has a certain allure, this is by no means the best or only way to go. There are times where those of us within the industry, and I’m guilty of it myself sometimes, get caught up too much in how other countries go about producing players and fall in love with styles of play without taking time to appreciate what is growing and blossoming right in front of our faces. To put it in other words, while it’s nice to marvel at places like La Masia at the club level with FC Barcelona or Clairefontaine at the international level in France, we should acknowledge what’s growing closer to home.
GOING THE EUROPEAN ROUTE: A SOCCER PROSPECTS ENTREPRENURIAL SPIRIT
By: Kamal Hylton
While there’s an argument for us to follow an established game plan, whether it’s in business, sports or any other walk of life, there are also those that choose the road less traveled. When it comes sports in North America, the set formula of accepted success for the majority has been playing in high school and joining academies all for the goal of earning collegiate scholarships… and for a smaller percentage turning professional.
TOP MLS/USL PROSPECTS TO WATCH IN 2015
By: PXI Staff (@ProspectXI)
As the Major League Soccer and Untied Soccer League seasons continue to progress, young players from both leagues are seeing their stock rise. With international tournaments and friendly matches taking place this summer, we at PXI have compiled a list of our Top 10 prospects to keep an eye on. These are players that have either grabbed hold of their chance within MLS, are on the cusp of doing so or are performing well at USL level. You might be asking yourself where Orlando City SC forward and 2015 Rookie of the Year front runner Cyle Larin isn’t on our list? Don’t worry we haven’t overlooked him, after his impressive showing in World Cup Qualifying we have a special feature coming out.
SPORTING CENTRAL ACADEMY FC: THE LITTLE CLARENDON CLUB THAT COULD… AND IS
By: Kamal Hylton
PXI isn’t about the familiar or typical, but rather like our slogan says “telling the untold story” and shining a light on the development of soccer and its promising young players around the world. So when it came to this trip to Jamaica, I wanted to find a team outside Kingston that was concerned with building a reputation on more than winning matches. I wanted to seek a club that was about growing and evolving into something meaningful and long lasting… and I found that hidden gem in the middle of the country, in the parish of Clarendon with Sporting Central Academy.
THE RISE & CHANGING FACE OF JAMAICAN SOCCER (PART 2)
By: Kamal Hylton
Stepping out from the Norman Manley International airport into the hazy heat, it hit right at that moment… this was going to be truly memorable trip in two ways.
From a lifestyle perspective, it was a chance to get a true and meaningful Jamaican experience that’s not on the brochure. In terms of sporting culture, and more specifically a soccer culture, it was an opportunity to see first hand how things have changed over the last 17 years since it all started for me back in 1998.
THE RISE & CHANGING FACE OF JAMAICAN SOCCER (PART 1)
By: Kamal Hylton
If you have followed any of my previous work in sports media it has been overwhelmingly soccer heavy up to this point, covering everything from soccer academies playing games in the middle of nowhere to national teams competing on the big stage and everything in between. So you might be thinking to yourself, this guy must’ve grown up around the game, following it religiously from an early age or at the very least played at an organized level?