Northeast Division Prospect Team

Team Sheet

(Int.) International, (A) MLS Affiliated/Academy

FORMATION

The strength of the strikers in this division was very evident, so I wanted to make a system with two central forwards. I’ve gotten more familiar with the 4-4-2 Diamond formation after watching more of Jim Curtin’s Philadelphia Union, and given the versatility of the starting defensive midfielder, I figured it would be a good decision to start with this formation as the default. It could easily be changed into a 3-5-2 with the DM dropping into a CB position as well.

Given the substitutes, there are a lot of opportunities to deploy all kinds of formations, especially with the available wingers on the bench.

STARTING ELEVEN

Alec Hughes — Western Mass Pioneers (LF)

Several months ago, there were two surprises involving Alec Hughes. For one, he didn’t end up getting drafted in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. Even during the live stream broadcast coverage, some MLS pundits talked about him as one of the top attacking prospects. But more surprising in my opinion is that he wasn’t even picked up by a USL Championship or League One club during the aftermath. Halfway through the 2024 USL Championship season, there are roughly 10 teams that have only averaged around one goal per game.

I asked around to try to figure out what happened, and it could’ve been any one of a few things that have affected more players than just Hughes over the years. Much of this topic could be an article in itself, but overall, professional clubs have to overcome certain challenges when it comes to scouting the college landscape. I’ve elaborated a little bit further in the conclusion section.

Anyway, fast forward to the present, Alec Hughes looked great in person when I visited the Western Mass Pioneers over the summer. He’s a fantastic athlete with great size and speed, and he continues to prove time and again that he has a knack for scoring goals. This USL League Two season, he’s once again in the middle of a Golden Boot race.

Hughes cleaned up when it came to awards in college. In the Atlantic 10 Conference, he was a consecutive Offensive Player of the Year during his junior and senior seasons (2022 and 2023). As a freshman, he burst onto the scene with not only a Rookie of the Year designation, but also an All-Conference First Team nod. Even with a down year as a sophomore in comparison, he still ended his four-year college career with 35 goals and 7 assists in 4,465 minutes over 55 starts for the Minutemen. Like several college players this summer, he’s been on trials with MLS clubs, including an MLS Team Combine down in Miami, but if nothing comes of those opportunities, he’ll have one last year in college.

Scott Testori — Western Mass Pioneers (RF)

It would’ve been hard not to put the two Western Mass Pioneer forwards together after having seen them play in person. If you can get the right strike partnership and an effective midfield behind them, big things can happen for a team.

The combination of Scott Testori and Alec Hughes almost feels like a throwback to the old days, where the two man front was more popular. I grew up during the 4-4-2 era of the Premier League that continued into the 2000’s, so partnerships like Arsenal’s Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp were highly admirable. Considering the iconic tandems of that time, I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen from these two in the present day as a result. The two can also be successful in a more modern front three as well.

In a Big East Conference that produced recently signed professional forwards such as Jacob Murrell (D.C. United), Jason Shokalook (Chicago Fire FC II), Brendan McSorley (St. Louis City 2), and Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau (Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2), Testori and his 8 goals and 4 assists in 13 starts were a little bit overshadowed, despite him finishing 5th in goals and points in the conference. With what I’ve been able to see him do in USL League Two this summer, I expect Testori will be one of the next Big East products to see the professional game if he continues to improve upon his goal contributions as a senior.

He's one of the more technical 6’3” forwards out there and he still has a lot of potential to improve further. He grew up as a center back, and only started playing as a forward in high school, where he was a natural. One of his current coaches, Tomás Duben told me, “He does amazing defensive work without the ball, and that helps make the work of the midfielders easier.” That’s on brand for Testori, and sounds like the kind of center forward with experience in defense. Not only did he help lead his high school to multiple state championship titles, he was recognized as the Gatorade Player of the Year for Connecticut in the 2020-21 season as well as the United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year. Interestingly enough, Metropolitan Division Prospect Team selection KK Baffour was also awarded Connecticut’s Gatorade Player of the Year during the following season.

To add another Arsenal reference in here, Arsène Wenger talked about how to build a player in a similar way in which you would build a house. The foundation of technique is a crucial element in the future success of a player. Then its the physical attributes, the tactical understanding of the game, and the desire and work ethic to be successful. Testori has been living on that path, and from what I can tell, he has that desire.

Taig Healy — Seacoast United Phantoms (CAM)

Taig Healy is a player that was made for this kind of role in the starting eleven. His creativity, elusiveness and vision allow him to be very effective in the space between the opposition midfield and back line, or drift into the wide areas to operate there as well.

If you’re familiar with the “raumdeuter” role that was popularized by Thomas Müller, that’s how I’ve seen him, and that’s probably the best way to look at him from a scouting perspective as well. I can already hear people writing him off because of his physical profile or whatever, because that’s what happens here in the United States, but if you look at him as a unique player with the vision to exploit spaces, and the technical ability, quickness and imagination to create chances, then you’d have a better understanding of him.

As a top performer for his boyhood club, he earned the title of Northeast Division Player of the Year in 2023 and continues to lead the Phantoms this season. In one of the toughest top heavy divisions in the country, Healy has been instrumental in the success of the team, contributing several goals so far. He even scored one from beyond the halfway line on June 21, 2024.

As North Carolina State University brought in Marc Hubbard to take over the program, two of his players joined him in the relocation to Raleigh. In 2023 with the Wildcats, Healy scored in the NCAA Division I Championship Second Round meeting with Syracuse to advance, before falling to eventual title winning Clemson 1-0 in the following match. He ended the season with 4 goals and 3 assists in 1,000 minutes. During the Spring Soccer Cup season with NC State, he’s already added his playmaking ability to good effect. The Wolfpack made it to the Championship match of the competition, drawing 2-2 against Wake Forest in regulation. Healy assisted Karamoko’s opener in that game.

Healy has faced tough competition before, but at the collegiate level, it doesn’t get tougher than the ACC. With a highly regarded coaching staff and a strong supporting cast, people already know that this isn’t the same old NC State of the past.  

Recent Highlights (Credit — KelkenSport)

Joe Buck — Boston Bolts (LCM)

In this formation, you need two solid box-to-box midfielders who are good in transition and overall possession. With much of the creative responsibilities given to the advanced midfield position and the crossing requirements set with the wingbacks, I feel as though accomplished passers with all around work rate are needed here. I saw Joe Buck during a spring season game at Wake Forest and I thought his possession game was really good in a double pivot midfield. In transition, Buck could push the pace with through balls to the forwards or build up possession more methodically. His experience with Georgetown University and the New England Revolution organization would be of value.

There are a lot of brothers around the soccer world, and I anticipate the Buck brothers will be another set of them. His younger brother Noel Buck made his professional level debut as a 16 year old in USL League One back in 2021 before making his MLS debut during the following summer. He has also represented the U19 England National Team last year. Often times, older brothers usually pave the way and I see this situation in the way that the McGlynn brothers have experienced. I have a feeling that Joe will find opportunities when he graduates from Georgetown, just as Conor has in the USL Championship.

The Hoyas had an impressive 13-3-3 record last season, but the Big East Championship title has still eluded them after making the final in two consecutive seasons. They last won the competition in 2021. During Joe Buck’s senior year, his team will hope that it’s his best one yet.

Chay Strine — Seacoast United Phantoms (RCM)

The IMG Academy product was added to the starting eleven as another one of the box-to-box midfielders with a mezzala style in certain instances. Due to the lack of naturally wide advanced wingers, his high work rate and ball winning ability to cover the required areas is important. As a player with right full back experience as well, he would be able to create good interchange with the wingback for additional dynamic and creative positioning on the right side.

Moussa Ndiaye — Vermont Green FC (DM)

Holding down the fort in the defensive midfield spot is Mousa Ndiaye. The Vermont Green captain is the talk of the league with everything he has added to the Burlington based side over the past couple of seasons. Based on his ability to play as a defensive midfielder as well as a center back, he would bring additional situational versatility to the formation. He could drop into a back three with the center backs to further advance the default positioning of the wingbacks or allow for a cover depending on the opposition formation.

At Virginia Commonwealth University, Ndiaye joined Hughes on the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team in 2023. He’s accumulated over 2,800 minutes of experience in his first two seasons. The Rams are a little on the older side with their international players. VCU teammate Camilo Comi has played with Western Mass Pioneers this summer while Gerardo Castillo joined Ndiaye in Vermont.

Jared Smith — Western Mass Pioneers (LWB)

Jared Smith has been a pretty good example for the value of playing in USL League Two over the summer. The Western Mass Pioneers have assembled quite the roster, and Smith has been a great feature within their team. At Seton Hall University last season, he managed to contribute 2 goals and 5 assists in only 658 minutes, so unless you were closely paying attention to the Big East Conference, you might’ve missed him despite being good in the appearances he made with the Pirates. His team finished 5th in the East Division of the conference as well with an overall record of 8-6-3, which could’ve been better if not for tough away showings.

His coach and teammate, Tomás Duben told me how Smith continues to improve from season to season, becoming a more complete player as time goes on. Duben pointed out Smith's pace and aggressiveness, and his ability to play a variety of passes and crosses. He's been a key player in the final third for the Pioneers, so they want him on the ball in the attack, and it’s been successful. Smith is their assist leader this season.

In his junior season at Quinnipiac University, Smith had a goal and 6 assists in a career high 1,497 minutes.

We already know that Smith is effective with Hughes and Testori as targets up front. Whether it’s from the run of play or a set piece, Smith can deliver a threatening ball for his attackers. He has good instincts on his movements from the wingback position as well. It just looks natural to me. On the ball, he can also dribble into internal space and distribute from there. I’ll be interested to see how his 5th and final year at the collegiate level turns out.

Kerman Sukia Criado — Western Mass Pioneers (LCB)

Not only has Kerman Sukia been a crucial piece for the Western Mass Pioneers defense, but he was also excellent for Bryant University during the fall season. You could have doubled the amount of goals that Bryant University allowed and they still would have been tied for first in the nation for goals against and goals against average. That’s how good they were in defense, having only allowed 6 goals in their 20 games.

Sukia joined the Bulldogs after six years with Real Sociedad. He also has experience with the U16 Spain National Team in the past as well.

Recent Highlights (Credit — Kerman Sukia)

Isaac Heffess — Seacoast United Phantoms (RCB)

Isaac Heffess is impressive. If you watched him during his freshman season with the University of New Hampshire, you might not assume he was a freshman, so he was an obvious choice for the America East Conference All-Rookie Team. With the way he plays, he seems as though he has experience and maturity beyond his years.

Coming off of a great season with the Wildcats, Heffess joined Healy and Hubbard on their way down to NC State this past winter. As an important piece to the Raleigh rebuild, he’ll be able to grow his game further against some of the best attacking players in the country.

The kid has everything you’d want in a defender which has made him one of my favorite MLS SuperDraft prospects. If things continue to go well at NC State, Heffess has the overall profile, ability and attributes to see an opportunity in the upcoming draft as a sophomore.

Recent Highlights (Credit — Isaac Heffess)

Bernardo Prego — Vermont Green FC (RWB)

Bernardo Prego came to the United States after spending several years with Sporting CP in Lisbon. Like some international players, Prego started off at one of the top NJCAA schools in Iowa Western Community College before transferring into Franklin Pierce University where he contributed to an unbeaten 2022 season that led to a NCAA Division II National Championship title. Braudílio Rodrigues of the Seattle Sounders was on that team that dominated the division.

Like Smith, Prego is perfect for a wingback position in this kind of formation. He has great athleticism and pace to get up and down the flank, and he’s highly skilled and plays with confidence. In 1-v-1 situations in the advanced areas, he looks like a natural winger as he can square up a defender and either break beyond or find space for crosses. I’m not sure there are really any weaknesses in Prego’s game. He’s a little on the older side as a prospect, but he’s a pro-ready one. The 24 year old will play one last season with Providence College in the Big East Conference while he wraps up a Master’s Certificate.

Highlights (Credit — Futvideos)

Tobias Jahn — Seacoast United Phantoms (GK)

There were a few experienced goalkeepers around the division, but as a prospect team, Tobias Jahn gets the start in this line up as he still has some time to finish his college career. He made his way out to the east coast with a transfer to Northeastern University after spending three seasons with the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Last season with Green Bay, he won the Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year award as well as an All-League First Team selection.

He joins a Huskies team that’s in need of a boost. They finished last season winless at home, and an overall record of 4-7-6 last season.

SUBSTITUTES

Reid Fisher — Vermont Green FC

As a Southern California guy born and raised, the 2023 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year decided to head to Vermont for the summer to join the 2023 USL League Two Organization of the Year. With Zach Barrett’s departure from the Green after this year’s U.S. Open Cup campaign, Reid Fisher stepped in and has quickly become a feature of the back line, starting four out of the first five games. After not making an appearance in the first half of June, he’s contributed to two wins in two starts to end the month with a combined score of 7-1.

For San Diego State University, the 6’3” defender started every match while playing 1,592 minutes. In his upcoming sophomore season, the Aztecs will need to bounce back after a dismal 0-7-3 conference record, but with the collapse of the Pac-12 Conference, now they will be playing in the much more manageable Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Current Vermont Green captain Daniel Pacella is also transferring into the team to help out the midfield.

In a similar situation to Heffess, if Fisher can follow up his impressive individual play from his freshman season, I’d assume he’d be draft eligible at the end of the year.

Xavi O’Neil — Vermont Green FC

Xavi O’Neil is a handful for defenders between his speed, strength and skill. The right-footed winger can line up on either wing, but has found success on the left especially, not only in the attacking third with creating chances, but in the build up as well.

Despite going winless in conference play with Boston College last fall, the D.C. United Academy product has the respect of his ACC opponents. One of his conference opponents told me that even though Boston College wasn’t very good this past season, O’Neil was definitely a bright spot of that team. He ended up being named to the ACC All-Freshman Team.

Before signing up to attend Boston College, O’Neil was called up to the Trinidad & Tobago U20 National Team Camp back in 2022.

Zach Zengue — Vermont Green FC

One of the more obvious outcomes of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft was Zach Zengue being drafted by the Columbus Crew. The attacking midfielder’s older brother Xavier is with Columbus Crew 2 in MLS NEXT Pro after he was drafted with the 27th overall pick in 2023, so I had a feeling the Crew would be interested.

He can play as a 10 or a more forward thinking 8. With Georgetown last season, he scored 5 goals. His spatial awareness and positioning in the box was evident as he was able to find pockets to finish off chances. Two of those goals were headers from the 5’9” elusive attacker. Zengue was also a provider, ending the season with 6 assists. He’s a good distributer further up the field, whether he's driving the play forward with diagonal or vertical through balls, or switching the field into space. He’s also just an overall active player who is more than willing to drift and combine, and create chances from the half spaces and wide areas.

Zengue is returning to Georgetown for his junior season where fellow draftee Max Jennings will join him. Kyle Linhares, Jacob Murrell, Kieran Sargeant and Ryan Schewe have all left the team for opportunities at the professional level.

Recent Highlights (Credit — KelkenSport)

Kwame Adu-Gyamfi — Western Mass Pioneers

Kwame Adu-Gyamfi makes the bench for his ability to play anywhere within the midfield three. He’s an engine of the midfield type of player with his ball winning ability and high work rate. He appeared in each of the 18 matches for the University of Connecticut last season, making 13 starts.

Recent Highlights (Credit — Kwame Adu-Gyamfi)

Laurie Goodard — Western Mass Pioneers

After opening his college career at Merrimack College, Laurie Goddard is on his way to Hofstra University. The 6’3” midfielder had 10 goals and 3 assists for the Warriors, but will now join other notable USL League Two names like Long Island Rough Riders Pierce Infuso and Eoin Farrell, and Salem City FC’s Teddy Baker and SC United Bantam Owen Barrett. In the first 8 games for Western Mass in mostly substitute appearances, he scored two goals. He doubled his account with a 2 goal game against Boston City FC. He can play within the midfield group, but is more effective as an attacking midfielder, more specifically as a second striker in my opinion. I’ve been able to watch Teddy Baker a fair amount this summer, and they both have similar profiles, so the combination of Goddard and Baker has the potential to be something special.

Recent Highlights (Credit — laurie Goddard)

Jahiem Wickham — Vermont Green FC

Like Vermont Green teammate Xavi O’Neil, Jahiem Wickham has also spent time with the Trinidad & Tobago U20 National Team. Wickham is another player who is originally from the Greater Toronto Area. He joined Syracuse University from the Toronto FC Academy in MLS NEXT ahead of the 2022 season. Though he didn’t appear in any matches in 2022, Wickham was a part of Syracuse’s NCAA Division I National Championship winning team. In 2023, he ended with a 6-3-5 record with five clean sheets. Syracuse looks to have a strong roster for this 2024 season and will look to make another attempt at the National Championship Tournament.

Yaniv Bazini — Vermont Green FC

If you didn’t know of Yaniv Bazini before this season, you probably know him now. His bicycle kick goal against Boston City FC on June 26, 2024 made it on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays. It’s not just the one goal that has made him a popular name though, Bazini has been competing with division rival Alec Hughes in the USL League Two Golden Boot race as two of the top strikers in the league. In the recent fall season, he led the way with 11 goals and 4 assists to become an America East All-Conference First Team selection. He’s a complete forward who has really come into his own over that past year especially.

I’m not sure where Bazini ultimately wants to play in the near future, but there may be opportunities here in the United States or back in his home country of Israel. USL League One clubs have recently signed internationals over the age of 25, so the USL route could still be possible. There are plenty of clubs in need of goals.

Recent Highlights (Credit — Yaniv Bazini)

Gerardo Castillo — Vermont Green FC

Those who know me, know I love Costa Rica, so even though Gerardo Castillo would have made this prospect team regardless of his nationality, it’s a bonus. During his time in the United States, Castillo has been recognized for his talents at the left back position. He was on the 2022 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team and then he made the All-Conference First Team this past season after VCU won the regular season title.

I could easily see Gerardo Castillo being one of the players that heads home to have a good professional career after his college days are over.

Castillo’s resume so far is strikingly similar to another Costa Rican defender who played for VCU, who also shares the same surname. Back when I lived in Colorado, I briefly got to know Dennis Castillo who was drafted by the Rapids in the 2nd round. He stuck around the U.S. for a couple of seasons before he ended up going back to Costa Rica to play in the Primera División for the last six and a half years with Pérez Zeledón and Sporting FC. Dennis could probably be categorized as a legend for VCU based on his career from 2012-2015. He started every match for the Rams over those four years, totaled 7,523 minutes, and contributed 17 goals from defense, winning several awards throughout his career.

Former Syracuse midfielder Amferny Sinclair also went back to Costa Rica to play professionally for Puntarenas FC after being drafted by Real Salt Lake. Sinclair was a four-year starter with the Orange and won a NCAA Division I National Championship in 2022. Puntarenas just signed another one of my favorite Costa Rican players, 21 year old Rawy Rodríguez for the upcoming Apertura.

I don’t know the specifics on international slots for Costa Rican teams, or the overall roster rules, but it would be interesting to see more college guys head down to play in the Liga FPD even if they aren’t native to the country.

Aidan Kelly — Western Mass Pioneers

Aidan Kelly has made a solid center back partnership with Kerman Sukia over the summer as the Western Mass Pioneers challenge for the Northeast Division title. Through the first 10 games, the Pioneers had allowed a division best 5 goals and 7 clean sheets. So far in his time at UMass, Kelly has been awarded places on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team (2022) and All-Conference Second Team (2023). He has started every match since joining the Minutemen, amassing 3,088 total minutes in defense.

Before coming stateside, Kelly was a part of Cliftonville Reserves, and if you’re wondering why you might recognize that team, it might be due to the somewhat recent signing of former Notre Dame Fighting Irish defender Paddy Burns. Burns was an important player for Cliftonville this past spring. He led the team towards lifting the Irish Cup after contributing to two clean sheets in the quarterfinals and semifinals before winning the championship in an extra time thriller against the most successful club to ever play in the annual tournament, Linfield FC. I went into depth on that piece because I can see Aidan Kelly having opportunities back in Northern Ireland or elsewhere once he’s ready to sign a professional contract.

Kelly also represented the Northern Ireland U18 National Team in the past.

Patrick Gryczewski — Western Mass Pioneers

Patrick Gryczewski is a winger with size and speed with the main mission of getting the ball into the box for the strikers. Before being sidelined with a minor injury this summer, he was having a fantastic start to the season. In the video below, during the 5-0 win over Black Rock FC, he contributed a goal and two assists, and it could’ve been more if not for a good reaction save from Christian Herluf Braae-Andersen on Scott Testori’s acrobatic chance. He’s currently back in training with the team. In the second game of the season, he had a brace in a 4-0 win over Pathfinder FC.

As another player from the state of Connecticut, Gryczewski started his college career with the University of Hartford in NCAA Division III, but quickly had the opportunity to transfer into the University of Rhode Island for his sophomore and junior seasons where he remains for this upcoming season.

He can either play as a traditional right midfielder or as a modern winger in a three man front.

Patrick Gryczewski's two assists and a created chance in a 5-0 win over Black Rock FC on May 31, 2024.

RESERVES

Ali Taleb — Western Mass Pioneers

This summer, Ali Taleb has been showing why he was awarded the NE10 Conference Rookie of the Year at American International College. Taleb has continued his good run of form as he's come off the bench to make an impact in the later stages of games. His quickness in transition and passes through the lines make him a dangerous player in the creative areas, but he’s also a goal scoring threat. In back-to-back games recently, he added a goal in each appearance, and with AIC, he had 7 goals and 2 assists.

I can’t imagine he’ll stick around the NCAA Division II level for the duration of his college career, especially after what he has accomplished at AIC and Western Mass so far. He’s a native of Connecticut and a product of the Hartford Athletic Academy. Taleb has also apparently trained with the Lebanon U20 Team.

Alexi Karalis — Boston Bolts

For additional depth in the core of the midfield, I’ve found that Alexi Karalis would be an option in a single or double pivot as more of a patrolling deep lying player.

He grew up with the Boston Bolts organization before joining New England Revolution for a few years leading up to his beginnings at Providence College. In 2023, Karalis helped the Revolution win another U-19 MLS NEXT Cup Championship after having won the competition in the year prior. The MVP of the U-19 MLS NEXT Cup was Jason Zacarias, who is also currently on the Boston Bolts USL League Two team. Zacarias attends Boston University along with other Bolts teammates Ben Mazza-Bergeron and leading scorer Alex Bonnington.

The Bolts have quietly had a good summer. In a difficult division, they’ve managed to compete well against the top trio, having only lost to Western Mass and Seacoast United 1-0 in each of the three contests. For perspective, teams in the bottom half of the division have been getting blown out by the top teams.

Carlos Zambrano — Vermont Green FC

Carlos Zambrano is a do-it-all play making midfielder who can be used in a variety of roles between the 10 and 8 spots. In his first two years of college at the NJCAA level with Daytona State College, he had 13 goals and 16 assists in his 27 starts. Besides his attacking ability, he’s not afraid to make challenges defensively either. In the higher areas of the field, he has the ability to catch the opponent in possession, win the ball, and transition to goal.

In Syracuse’s National Championship winning season in 2022, the Orange scored 48 goals throughout the year. In 2023, that number dropped to 35 goals. Coach Ian McIntyre will hope that Zambrano can be an additional catalyst in the offense.

Sam McCann — AC Connecticut

Sam McCann has been a consistent goal scorer throughout the summer season. If there was a match in which AC Connecticut scored, at least one of those goals was most likely from McCann. He scored the consolation goal in the season opener that was a 6-1 loss to division power Seacoast United, but in a shock to the league, he scored a hat trick in a 4-2 win in a rematch against the Phantoms on June 26, 2024.

McCann has bounced around a lot already though. He originally started off at Quinnipiac University in 2021 where he was a member of the MAAC All-Rookie Team with 4 goals and 4 assists in almost 500 minutes. He apparently transferred to George Mason for the 2023 fall season after having a quiet sophomore year with Quinnipiac, but I wasn’t able to find him on the roster, and he wasn’t on the stat sheet either. A couple of weeks ago on June 14, 2024, McCann was announced as having signed with another MAAC school, Sacred Heart University, so I guess we’ll be able to see more when he suits up for the Pioneers. They’re another team that’ll be in search of more goals this season, after only averaging one goal per game in the last.

After playing for Vermont Green’s inaugural season in 2022, he went back the following summer, but this has been his first season with AC Connecticut in an effort to get more minutes, and it has paid off. Time will tell if he can carry this momentum into his new home at Sacred Heart.

Cabot McLaren — Black Rock FC

One of the incoming freshman to the NCAA Division I level this fall will be Cabot McLaren. When the Seacoast United’s MLS NEXT Academy product wraps up his summer season, he’ll be headed to the University of New Hampshire. Black Rock have only scored 5 goals in their first 11 games, and McLaren has two of them.

Recent Highlights (Credit — Cabot McLaren)

Shun Kushima — Seacoast United Phantoms

Here’s another player that I remember seeing during the previous USL League Two season. Shun Kushima was with SC United Bantams last year and I thought his midfield play looked good against Asheville City SC. From there, he made an upgrade from NCAA Division II and transferred to Georgia State University for the 2023 season where he made 14 starts for 970 minutes. He can play as a 6 or an 8, but I like him most as a deep lying playmaker due to his control, positioning, and range of passing. Kushima provides a good outlet for the back line with his calmness. The Japanese midfielder has the skills to evade pressing attackers and drive into advanced spaces to pull defenders and distribute. He’s also not shy in making challenges either.

Recent Highlights (Credit — Kushima Shun)

Ibrahim Conde — Seacoast United Phantoms

Ibrahim Conde tore up the NJCAA level with Iowa Western Community College from 2020 to 2022 where he totaled 32 goals and 18 assists. In 2021, they won the NJCAA Division I National Championship, and Conde scored a goal in the championship match. A few of his notable teammates from that year were Moïse Bombito (Colorado Rapids), Giorgio Probo (HFX Wanderers FC), Bernardo Prego (Unattached) and Joel Sangwa (Huntsville City FC). At the University of New Hampshire, he only made three starts, but he’ll have one more season.

For Seacoast United this summer, he scored a hat trick against Boston City FC early in the season and then had goals against each of the top teams in the division. With four regular season games remaining, he has 9 goals, which puts him towards the very top of USL League Two goal scorers.

I could see Conde having an opportunity in the Canadian Premier League once he graduates, given his Canadian citizenship. If he has a breakout season with the Wildcats this fall, maybe one of the MLS teams up there will give him a shot.

Cole Dewhurst — Seacoast United Phantoms

Cole Dewhurst made a few appearances early in the season, contributing to clean sheets in each of his starts. He’s entering his senior season at Providence College where he started nearly every match in which he appeared. He was a stalwart in defense during his freshman and junior seasons especially. With his 1,708 minutes as a freshman, the Friars went 12-5-4 and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division I National Championship Tournament after beating Marshall in extra time. In 2023, Dewhurst was selected for the Big East Third Team.

Chris Album — Seacoast United Phantoms

The Vancouver Whitecaps forward sneaks in to the reverses largely because of what he did over the last fall season with the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. In only 801 minutes, he scored 9 goals and tallied 2 assists, which saw him named to the Horizon League First Team as a sophomore. He also has plenty of time to progress and show his ability.

HONORABLE MENTION

Zach Sauer — Western Mass Pioneers

When I got the chance to attend a Western Mass Pioneers game, I liked how Zach Sauer played at the right back position. With Northeastern University, he started off on the CAA All-Rookie Team and has made 47 starts over the course of his four year stint in Boston. UNC Wilmington just announced that Sauer will be joining the Seahawks this fall. He’ll now flank another one of my favorite players in defense, Jake Shannon.

Harrison Bertos — Seacoast United Phantoms

I haven’t watched Harry Bertos too closely yet, but I have him down as a player to look out for this fall as a young defender at the University of Washington. In his 331 minutes of play as a freshman, he scored a goal against Seattle and registered an assist against UCLA. Washington usually produce good center backs, so I’ll be monitoring his progress.

Noah Leddel — Black Rock FC

It was a tough year for Black Rock FC, but Noah Leddel could have opportunities in the professional world depending on how his college career shapes out. He’s already represented the Philippines at the U22 and U23 levels, so that part of his resume might intrigue some clubs around Asia one day. He’ll be a sophomore at Yale this fall.

Lohkoah Paye — Black Rock FC

I obviously haven’t had an in-depth look at Lohkoah Paye, but when I saw him and his Black Rock FC team against a very difficult Western Mass Pioneers, I thought he had some good moments. As an incoming freshman at St. John’s University this fall, I’m not sure how many minutes he’ll end up playing, but he’ll be in my notes just in case.

CONCLUSION

There’s a lot of depth within this division and there are a lot of players that I might have missed. If you ever want to know further details or deeper opinions on what I think of these prospects, feel free to contact me. I don’t usually get very critical of these players in my written posts or articles, though I do have areas of improvement and their potential level for many of the players I review.

United States U23 Scouting Challenges

Why do some players get opportunities and others get passed upon?

For one, there are a lot of teams across a lot of conferences, and even more players of all different profiles to sift through, so actually developing the full perspective of the college levels and understanding the players that come and go within it is hard, especially as it changes and improves. Some MLS clubs make it harder on themselves by not paying attention until a couple weeks before the draft. Then on top of that, apparently most USL clubs don’t really even have scouting departments. Both sometimes end up resorting to outsourcing their scouting efforts and inviting players on trials, which is another topic for another day.

Furthermore, the MLS College Showcase can sometimes do more harm than good depending on the situation. Because of the lack of depth of scouting, the College Showcase may be the first time that some scouts are seeing those players. Despite a lot of success from former college players over the years, there are still naysayers out there that will tell you that the level isn’t good.

There can also be a lot of conflicting opinions about players among the scouts and decision makers, so reaching a consensus is difficult and you never know who might ultimately get the final say.

Additional Factors in Prospect Team Selections

For these divisional prospect teams, a few of the non-playing factors that are also taken into consideration are the age, international status and minutes played.

It’s possible to get a professional contract regardless of age and international status though, but it feels more likely within the USL system. As an example, Chattanooga Red Wolves signed a 27 year old Serbian rookie from the NAIA level ahead of the 2024 season. He’s only appeared in 102 minutes in all competitions though, so I doubt he’ll get renewed. I’ll still never get over how teams will sign players like that, but then leave an ACC Midfielder of the Year like Mouhameth Thiam without an opportunity, but some clubs are funny with who they decide to sign and who they deny because of their international status. I’ve heard plenty of stories about international players who are much more promising, and much younger, being told that they couldn’t be signed because they’re international, so unfortunately, it’s something to keep in mind.

When thinking about MLS opportunities, you have to think about international slots with a dollar value attached. The question I usually get is, “Is the player worth the value of an international slot?” As an example of the value, Nashville SC traded away a few international roster slots for this 2024 season for an average value of $150-175K in GAM.

One day I hope the pathways from the college level in the United States are more plentiful, so these guys aren’t so limited in where they could go. We are seeing some players find more opportunities abroad though, so it’s possible.