U14 DA Midwest Event

congrats to all the local boys mentioned below.  nice job representing ntx.


U14 DA Midwest Event: Best XI
Article Written by Thomas Wachtel, ESNN
Published: October 30, 2013

CARMEL, Indiana — After two days of competition last weekend, picking a best XI of U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-13/14 players wasn’t easy. With a host of great performances, some players were sure to be left out, but these eleven players were certainly a force to be reckoned with.

GK: Dominick Palaty, Minnesota Thunder Academy
Palaty’s focus and alertness were on display, as he kept a clean sheet Saturday after not being tested for the game’s early stages. His command of his defense and his area were superb as well.

D: Jose Zertuche, Solar Chelsea FC
The right side of Solar Chelsea was strong Saturday, and Zertuche was the foundation. His reading of the game and effective tackling put the ball at his feet, and his subsequent runs from the back stoked the offense.

D: Noah Kettle, Chicago Fire
Handling an endless attacking onslaught is not an easy job, and Kettle showed his stuff Sunday while helping keep the game in reach for his team.

D: Scott Forsyth, Real Colorado
A team that can build play steadily from the back is in great shape to win, but it requires organization and skill from its defenders. Forsyth in particular showed the positioning nous and ball skill to keep the ball in Colorado’s possession.

D: Javier Barajas, FC Dallas
Sometimes a player’s size at this level can be deceiving – a player who’s simply bigger than the rest can be better without the tools of a real player. Barajas has the physicality on his side, but his reading of the game, tackling ability, and skill all point to a player who would succeed at any size.

M: Alonzo Mata, Lonestar FC
Playing just behind the striker, Mata was impressive with and without the ball. He often dropped deep to receive the ball and move forward, but also came ahead of the striker to keep defenders on their toes, disrupting marking schemes.

M: Marko Milovac, Indiana Fire Academy
Scoring a hat trick is a pretty good way to catch a few eyes, as Milovac did on Saturday morning. His goals led Indiana Fire to a win over Colorado Rush by a 3-1 scoreline.

M: Manuel Molina, FC Dallas
Molina’s dribbling made him a danger to opposing defenses. His speed and agility made him frightening. But it was his eye for the pass and ability to place the ball that made him an absolute standout.

F: Ronaldo Diaz, Chicago Magic PSG
Diaz’s motor and quickness disrupted defenses whenever he was on the field, moving from midfield to the goal and sideline to sideline with and without the ball. And he can finish, too.

F: Josh Bandopadhyay, Dallas Texans
With skill and pace on and off the ball, Bandopadhyay cut defenses to pieces, and though he failed to score Sunday morning, he was safely the best player of the day.

F: Ryan Coleman, Sockers FC
Every time the ball found Coleman, it was a chance for his team. Whether by darting through or past defenders or by crossing from the flanks, he was a constant danger to opposing defenses.