PHOENIX, Arizona - During a most critical week at the Development Academy Winter Showcase, Arsenal coach PJ Brown spoke to his U18 team about creating the right mentality and identity.

We know for sure that at least one player listened. Attacker Keegan Smith announced that he has verbally committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for 2011, giving him a collegiate identity that every rising youth soccer player aspires to.

“I love knowing where I am going early so I can focus on what I’m doing now,” said Smith, who has two brothers who attend the school. I have been up there and I love the area. I went for a rivalry game and the environment was awesome.”

Cal Poly is a good program with a strong base and a great facility. They’ll be lucky to have a creative player like Smith who is looking forward to blossoming at the next level.

“I think my strength is just attacking from the wing,” Smith said. “I like to run at people, send crosses and just be creative and make things happen.”

Smith made a lot happen during a standout week of play. Smith isn’t the fastest player on the field but he is crafty and he strikes the ball square.

He was clearly one of the top players at the Reach 11 Sports Complext during a final day Tuesday that fizzled in comparison to the rest of the showcase. The previous day’s rain took its toll on the fields and games had to be moved all over the facility.

Anyway, here are a few players that caught our eye on Day 5:

Sean Cote U17/18 Solar SC: He’s the ideal size for an elite keeper but he also brings an agile skill and fluidity that is rare for his height.

Rocco Bagley U17/18 Solar SC: Don’t let his size fool you, Rocco has a good burst and a real feel for the game. He notched a goal for his Solar squad Tuesday.

Academy Select players: The 93 Academy Select No.4 team got a stiff test when it took on the older and more mature Los Angeles Galaxy, and despite being handled at times there were still some individuals who emerged from the match.

Brian James, of Weston FC, is a very polished player in the midfield. He is very much under control, settles the ball well and does just about everything right. On his own team he forms a dynamic duo with Steeven Saba, and even on this super-talented squad he made his presence felt.

Caleb Richardson U15/16 Dallas Texans: Small but lightning quick with the ball at his feet. Even the U18s struggled to keep pace once he started his runs, and they resorted to getting a hand on him and muscling him around; which was successful assuming they caught him first.    

Riley Wolfe, U17/18 LA Galaxy: Wolfe is what you would call a gamer. The kid plays hard at all times and is a great opportunist whether threading the ball through or taking it himself.

Bryan De La Fuente, U17/18 Chivas USA: During an extremely physical match with the Dallas Texans that featured a few red cards, De La Fuente showed off a diversity of skills. He was adept as a tackler and was savvy around the ball at all times.

Blake Wise, U17/18 Dallas Texans: A repeat performer on this list, Wise had a great few days and scored in each of his team’s three matches. Wise was around the ball and advanced it forward consistently with few mistakes.

Kevin Huezo, U17/18 Irvine Strikers: Kevin is one of the hardest working players you’ll ever see. His running motor works him into games where his skill and power can often produce good things.

Development Academy Day Five Scores

U15/16                   
New York Red Bulls 2, Clearwater Chargers 1
St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri 1, Met Oval 0
Texas SC DTH 1, LA Galaxy 1
NJSA 04 NJSA 4, IMG Soccer Academy 2
Sockers FC 0, Solar SC 0
Chivas USA 0, Dallas Texans 0
Irvine Strikers 3, Lonestar Aztex Academy 1
                                   
U17/18
IMG Soccer Academy 6, NJSA 04 0
Texas USA DTH 2, PDA 2
Dallas Texans 3, Chivas USA 2
Lonestar Aztex Academy 3, Irvine Strikers 2
McLean Youth Soccer 3, Arsenal FC 2

 

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