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Aaron Nielsen ,

January 27, 2013 Email

Aaron Nielsen



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Now that almost every MLS club are in pre-season training, it is that time where rumours are flying around on trialists and potential signings for the upcoming season. While many focus on players coming over from abroad, or what rookies will make an impact from the SuperDraft, the divisions below MLS can provide plenty of potential for those willing to take a chance. See also: Top 10 prospect list from the 2012 USL PRO season

As noted in part one of this series, there has been a history of players making the jump up from the lower divisions to MLS. While USL PRO has a handful of good young players, the NASL is a bit more of a proven league for finding talent. Mac Kandji and Johnny Steele were two names noted previously that came up and my list below from the 2012 NASL season has two players that have been signed already to Toronto FC and New England respectively. For each league I do statistics for I also produce a prospect list for the league evaluating the top players based on statistical output and overall market value. Here are my top 10 prospect for the 2012 North American Soccer League.



10. Conor Shanosky, Fort Lauderdale (on loan from DC United)



A defensive midfielder who just turned 21 joined DC United as a development player in 2010. He has great size 6'4 so could potentially play Centre Back as well. With Fort Lauderdale in 2012 he played 27 out of the 28 regular season games starting 26 of them. He has also played for the US Under-20 national team. 9. Gale Agobossoumonde, Carolina



Signed by Toronto FC this offseason the 21 year old defender played 17 games this season with Carolina in 2012 after starting the season injured. Agobossoumonde originally signed with Miami FC instead of opting for an MLS contract and then played eight games with Djugarden in the top division of Swedish soccer. 8. Amani Walker, Minnesota



Playing in his second season with Minnesota, Walker was used mosly on the bench in 2011 but in 2012 he was their biggest offensive threat scoring 7 goals. Walker was drafted by Chicago in 2011 but did not sign a pro contract with the Fire. The American born striker actually played for Jamacia in 2009 against the Canadian National team. 7. Blake Wagner, San Antonio



The defensive leader of the San Antonio Scorpions, an expansion side that ended up finishing first during the regular season. The 23 year old Wagner has significant experience in the MLS playing 40 league games with Dallas, two with Salt Lake and than nine with Vancouver. Wagner can play both defensive midfield or on the back line so he could still provide a MLS club good depth. 6. Matt Horth, Atlanta (New England signed as of Jan 25)



Matt Horth played is college soccer at the NSCAA level so he has always been under the radar of the MLS, although in 2012 the 23 year old was the forth leading goalscorer in the NASL with 10 goals. Standings 6'3 Horth uses his size well, scoring four of his career 18 NASL goals from his head and has scored from almost half of his NASL career total shots on target. As of the last week, Horth has signed on with New England. 5. Walter Restrepo, Ft Lauderdale



The 24 year old American midfielder started in his career in the Colombia Primera playing 13 league games with Tolima and Boyaca Chico. In 2011 he joined Ft Lauderdale midway through the season and in 2012 he scored six goals and had seven assists in 21 regular season games. The seven assists were tied for the league lead with Tampa Bay striker Mike Ambersley. 4. Shaun Saiko, FC Edmonton

The Canadian midfielder has shown great offensive instinct scoring 16 goals, adding 11 assists and 61 shots on target during the last two NASL season. Saiko started his career with Middlesbrough in England playing in their reserve side before joining FC Edmonton. Its difficult to see why not one of the Canadian MLS have given the 23 year old a opportunity. 3. Nick Zimmerman, Carolina



After playing time with the New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia, the 25 year old Zimmerman has scored 20 goals with Carolina including 15 in 2012. In 2011 Nick played mostly on the wing for a very successful Carolina team. In 2012 he was given the role as the main stiker scoring starting 26 games and making 34 shots on target during the season. 2. Pablo Campos, San Antonio (Minnesota)



The 28 year old Brazilian has played in Mexico, Sweden and the MLS. He has scored 2 goals for both Salt Lake and San Jose at the MLS level. In 2012 he was the NASL leading scorer with 20 goals for San Antonio after scoring 11 goals the season before with Carolina. Age might be a factor in him producing these stats at an MLS level now, but he has shown if given an opportunity he can score goals. 1. Mark Anderson, Fort Lauderdale



Despite being ignored by MLS clubs in last season draft, I had Anderson ranked high in my 2012 pre draft rankings because of his success in college. The 23 year old Englishman comes from the Sunderland youth system and has the ability of scoring exceptional goals from range. In 2012 four of his 11 goals were from outside the box, but even more impressive is he lead the league with 46 shots on target playing from a midfield position. Stay tuned for the second part of this series - the Top 10 Prospect list from the 2012 NASL season.

Aaron Nielsen has worked within the soccer/sports industry for over 15 years. His statistical analysis brings the beautiful game in a whole new light. The detailed player data and prospect lists he produces are used by many scouts, agents, and football insiders around the world.