MLS NEXT announces postseason awards

by Travis Clark

August 13, 2021

As a new season is set to begin, MLS NEXT announced the Golden Ball winners for the 2020-21 season.

Awarded for the U15, U16, U17 and U19 age groups, four players earned distinction for their work in the inaugural campaign in MLS NEXT.

U19: Jon Paul Jordan, Solar SC

Part of SMU's 2021 recruiting class, Jordan was a starting midfielder for Solar's U19 side that made it the MLS NEXT final. A two-way player that can show up on both sides of the ball, he was a crucial player for Solar during his seven years at the club.

"JP possesses a rare blend of technical ability, athleticism and combativeness in the midfield," SMU head coach Kevin Hudson told TopDrawerSoccer. "He’s excellent in possession and he excels at recovering the ball. He’s always looking to tackle and regain possession to start the attack. These qualities fit perfectly into how we want to play at SMU."

U17: Gonzalo Agustoni-Chagas, Orlando City SC

After joining the Orlando Academy in August 2020, Agustoni-Chagas scored four goals in the regular season, chipping in two more during the playoffs for the U17 champions. He's a Uruguay youth international.

U16: Liam May, FC Delco

On the books with the storied club in the Philadelphia suburbs, May all season long excelled for the MLS NEXT semifinalists.

U15: Paulo Rudisill, LA Galaxy

The team captain for the Galaxy, Rudisill played every minute in the 2020-21 season. LA earned the No. 1 overall seed for the MLS NEXT Cup tournament, bowing out to the Philadelphia Union.

First names on the team sheet.✍️

First names on the award.🏅

Congratulations Paulo Rudisill, Gonzalo Agustoni-Chagas, William May, and Jon Paul Jordan II on winning the inaugural 2020-21 MLS NEXT Golden Ball presented by @adidasfootball. pic.twitter.com/laFMrJM8ho
— MLS NEXT (@MLSNEXT) August 13, 2021