U17 Best XI

GK, Cole Chambers, St. Louis City (2008)

Chambers is starting to look like one of the better keepers from the 2008 class. He's super athletic with good distribution and I have seen him make some incredible saves to help keep his team in games. Chambers is a two-sport star who is also a top baseball prospect. It will be interesting to see which sport he focuses on when the time to decide arrives.

CB, Nicholas Almeida, Inter Miami CF (2007)

Almeida has been rock solid for an IMCF U17 team that went undefeated at MLS Next Fest. He has grown a little bit this year which makes him a higher end prospect and his passing out of the back is unrivaled at this level.

CB, Kaiden Moore, Atlanta United (2007)

Moore has seen his stock rise as much as any player at the U17 level this year. He is far and away the best left-footed center-back within the 2007 age group and his distribution has been a thing of beauty so far this year.

LB, Dominik Chong-Qui, Atlanta United (2007)

Chong-Qui has come from nowhere to become one of the most intriguing prospects at the U17 level. He is an uber athletic left-back that has been highly effective defensively and in the attack for one of the most talented U17 teams in the country — Atlanta United.

RB, Drew Baiera, NYCFC (2007)

Baiera looks bigger and faster this year and the added physicality is having benefits on the pitch. He's been one of the most impactful right-backs at the U17 level.

DM, Jack Pymm, Inter Miami (2007)

I call Pymm "Little McGlynn" because he has a sweet left foot and his similar methodical, technical approach to his game. Like McGlynn, Pymm isn't a little guy, and he has done a great job controlling the midfield and making plays for Inter Miami this year.

CM, Jude Terry, LAFC (2008)

Terry is one of the top prospects in the U17 level, full stop. He is the primary ball winner and ball progressor for one of the top U17 teams in the country and he is doing it as the youngest player on their team.

AM, Cristiano Oliveira, New England Revolution (2008)

Oliveira is such an important player for his team. He plays all kinds of different roles in the midfield: attacking midfielder, box to box and as a holding midfielder. He is scoring a bunch of goals for New England and is as important to his team as any player in MLS Next.

WING, Adriano Samayoa, LAFC (2007)

Samayoa moved from Total Futbol Academy to LAFC this year and he has wasted no time making a big impact. He has been the most dangerous and consistent attacking player for a dynamic LAFC team.

WING, Diego Rocio, Philadelphia Union (2007)

Rocio may not be the most prized prospect on this list, but you can't argue with his production. It seems like every Philadelphia Union game I watch, Rocio scores a goal. He is doing this for arguably the top team in the U17 age group and deserves praise.

CF, Justin Ellis, Orlando City (2007) / CF, Tomo Allen, San Jose Earthquakes (2007) / CF, Stefan Chirila, FC Cincinnati (2009(

It was too difficult for me to pick just one striker because there are three that have been outstanding so far this season. Ellis has been a fantastic playmaker for Orlando. Allen has been a consistent goal scorer and does a great job dropping into the midfield to support build up play. Chirila is scoring loads of goals for FCC.