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Aaron Nielsen ,

July 24, 2017 Email

Aaron Nielsen



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In my ongoing articles highlighting potential players for the CanPL I now look into the PDL. US Pro Development League is the fourth level of soccer in the United States and is mostly known for being a college summer league. I've followed the league closely for a number of years in evaluating potential MLS draftees, although the addition of League1 Ontario/PLSQ means they are traditionally less Canadians in the league and the new development structure of MLS means PDL is having a less important role in a players path to becoming professional. That being said, where CanPL will be placed in the North American Soccer pyramid, PDL could be a great resource for CanPL players. The league also holds a couple of Canadian development super clubs in K-W United, Calgary Foothills and WSA Winnipeg, who have had a huge impact of players in those regions future in the game. The list developed also include players from Victoria Highlanders and TSS FC Rovers, while Thunder Bay Chill are also in the league but currently have no Canadian players who I believe should be in the top 20 prospects. Some clubs such as Thunder Bay have non Canadian players who have played on the club for multiple years in Canada and could potentially be signed by a CanPL club, even as a potential Canadian Citizan. I included 20 players because of the depth of talent, including some potential MLS players, but also after the current League1 Ontario/PLSQ season I will return to those leagues and update the lists with added players who impressed me this current season. 20. Nathan Brown - GPS Portland



A slick center back who is good on the ball to go with his 6'2 frame. Nathan played with First Mobile Sport Academy before attending College of Saint Rose where he's been the last three years. Brown has played 43 games with the NCAA Division 2 school and has played PDL soccer with GPS Portland in the summer. He still needs to improve at the core center back responsibilities, such as defending on set plays, as well CanPL will be a step up from his past competition. Although he still has a lot of potential upside. 19. Nico Pasquotti - Calgary Foothills



Nico is an example where a PDL opportunity has raised a player profile from playing at a small college to potentially a professional contract. He's already regarded as one of the top players in the Western Canadian College scene playing for his local school Lethbridge. Known for his dribbling ability, Pasquotti has made the move to Calgary in the PDL and has been equally impressive. The winger/wing-back has shown an ability to beat players one-on-one with his quick feet and also has a strong free kick. He is one of those now unknown players who is sure to excite a CanPL crowd. 18. Justin Springer - K-W United



The first thing you notice about Springer is his size. The Center Back is 6'3 and is built like an American Football player, but when you watch him play or his highlight video, you notice he also has a strong awareness of the game. So it is surprising that he's been mostly under the soccer radar until being called up by the St. Kitts and Nevis national football team. This choice of national team should not hurt his chances with the CanPL as the Canadian citizen has spent most of his life in Canada. His career so far has been playing in his hometown of Burlington before attending Guelph and playing with K-W United. 17. Ali Musse - Calgary Foothills



The Winnipeg native first gained attention as a 14 year old and originally played in PDL with WSA Winnipeg, scoring six goals in 14 games as a 17 years old. He then signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Program playing for the 2013-2014 Whitecaps U18 USSDA side. Musse was also selected for the Canadian Youth Development Camp from 2010 to 2013. Last Year, he played for Tyler Junior College where he scored 10 goals in 17 games before joining Calgary in the PDL this season and has 4 goals so far in 12 games. 16. Andrew Hicks - TSS FC Rovers



As part of PDL new expansion side TSS FC Rovers, Hicks has done what you want from a keeper, keeping his team in the game and be a strong leader at the back. Hicks played his CIS career at Trinity Western, again keeping his side in many games and turning them from a league struggler to a playoff side. Hicks has good size and great reflexes and has made a number of highlight style saves. With most CanPL teams also being expansion teams a confidant keeper is very important and Hicks fits the bill. 15. Kyle Jones - Calgary Foothills



The younger of the Jones brothers, Kyle played with the Vancouver Residency program before following his brother to Simon Fraser University. Known as a dynamo on the field, despite only 5'5, Jones makes up for lack of size by his determination and an ability to make things happen when he has the ball. Jones scored 4 goals in 14 games with Simon Fraser, but is also the top scorer this year with Calgary scoring six goals. He's also been red carded both in NCAA D2 and PDL, which gives an idea of how he plays. 14. Wesley Cain - K-W United



Now 23, Cain is still a key competitor with K-W United, despite already graduating from Wright State. Cain played close 80 games during his NCAA Career with Northwestern State and Wright State, scoring 15 goals and has three goals and three assists in eight games with K-W United this season. Cain also had a highly decorated youth career playing with the Vancouver Residency program along with Canada team at the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship. A strong athlete with good experience, he should fit comfortably into a CanPL sides. 13. Mathieu Laurent - K-W United

The Unionville Milliken product has been ID'ed as a center back for the future by Canada since being called into the 2012 U17 National Camp as a 16 year old. In 2014 he went to University of Alabama Birmingham, and is currently the team Captain after playing in 20 games during his Freshman season. Laurent has had some injury issues, although had a strong 2016 NCAA campaign and is following it up this season at K-W United. At 6'2, Laurent has good size and plays a classic center back role willing to use his body to stop any scoring opportunity. 12. Callum Montgomery - Victoria Highlanders



From Vancouver Island, Montgomery has made the move to NCAA soccer playing with UNC Charlotte. In two years, Montgomery has played in 33 games split between holding midfield and center back and was named to the Conference USA all-star team helping the 49er's win the 2016 Conference USA title. Montgomery has good size and strength and is a powerful athlete, including strength behind his shots. Charlotte are a strong program in NCAA, which could get Callum recognized by an MLS club as well as being a key prospect for the CanPL. 11. Adam Jones - Sounders FC



A dynamic little midfielder, Adam Jones was a key player on Simon Fraser who were one of the top NCAA D2 programs in 2016, where he scored 10 goals and added nine assists in 18 games. He was named to multiple award teams, including being picked as a first team All-American. Jones elected to play for Sounders FC in PDL to improve his chances of being scouted by a professional team. He still has his senior year at Simon Fraser and could be on an MLS team radar if not should be highly recruited by a CanPL side. 10. Jason Beaulieu - Albuquerque Sol



The Montreal Impact homegrown player is about to finish his NCAA Career after already playing 51 games with University of New Mexico, helping them reach the NCAA tournament last season. Beaulieu played a significant role with the Montreal Academy during his youth, playing both in USSDA and in the Canadian Soccer League. He also won Elite Youth Titles with FC Boisbriand from 2009-2011. Now 23, the 6'4 keeper still shows he is motivated to play, including games with Albuquerque Sol in the PDL and could be signed by the Montreal Impact next season or be a CanPL candidate. 9. Bruno Zebie - Calgary Foothills



Despite still only 21 years old, Bruno and his older Allan has made a name for themselves in Canadian soccer the past five years moving from Montreal to the FC Edmonton Academy with Allan now playing regular for the first team and both being called into Canadian Youth Development team. Bruno went to University of Alberta and his role in central midfield was key contributor to the school success last season. Zebie is playing the same "Michael Bradley" role and having the equal success with Calgary Foothills in PDL. 8. Moses Danto - WSA Winnipeg

I actually had Danto in my 2015 list of overlooked players by the MLS. Now 22, he may no longer be an MLS prospect but certainly will be a highly sought after player in the CanPL. Danto was actually offered a USL contract this past off season by Arizona, although he had work visa issues that prevented him from joining the team. Danto is now in his sixth season with WSA Winnipeg, making him one of the top PDL goalscorers of all-time with over 30 goals. The tall, strong center forward is trouble in the box for any defender and although not pretty to watch is always a threat to score. 7. Dominic Russo - Calgary Foothills



Dominic was identified as one of the top prospects in PDL during the 2016 season for his performance in the league but also his play with University of Calgary where he scored 15 goals and added nine assists in 16 games. Russo's slowed down a bit this season, although has still been a contributor for Foothills who are in 1st Place showing his ability to score or set-up his teammates. Russo might not stand out as a talent to other players on the list, but has proven to be effective at each level he's played which could be the same for the CanPL. 6. Munir Saleh - K-W United



The Kitchener native is playing in front of his home fans this summer after finishing his Freshman season with the University of Connecticut. The former Vancouver Whitecaps Residency player also played with Vaughan in League One Ontario and was a part of Canada's 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship team. Saleh is a versatile player who can play multiple roles and played 19 games during his Freshman season as holding midfielder, winger and wing-back. He has a chance in developing himself into a MLS Draft Prospect; if not he should be a top prospect for a CanPL side after he finishes school. 5. Ajeej Sarkaria - Calgary Foothills



I spoke about Sarkaria last fall as the top player in CIS Soccer with the Alberta Golden Bears. The former FC Edmonton Academy player has shown the same offensive ability with Calgary Foothills in PDL, even though playing more of a deeper play-maker role then out right attacker. Sarkaria has strong ability on the ball and is able to dribble by players but also has an awareness to pass off to an open man. Sarkaria has attracted some attention from professional clubs over the past year and he could be a influential number 10 for any CanPL side. 4. Sameer Fathazada - K-W United



Born in Afganistan, Fathazada's family immigrated to Canada when he was eight. He began to create a name for himself playing with Toronto Skillz, eventually being called up into the League1 Ontario side before joining K-W United this summer. Fathazada might be the most exciting youth player in PDL this year, scoring six goals in seven games playing against players three to eight years older then him. Like other exciting young Canadians, Sameer has a number of skills although he could also develop into a more play-maker role something that is currently missing in the Canadian youth system. In my opinion, he's is most likely favorite for the Canadian GA contract next MLS draft. 3. Dayne St Clair - K-W United

St. Clarie is looking to become the starting Goalkeeper for one of the top NCAA programs Maryland in 2017, and has allowed only five goals in seven games with KW-United this summer. A strong athlete with good size, 6'4/176, Dayne played both Soccer and Volleyball in High School and was called into the Canadian U-18 National Team. If he proves himself with the Terps in NCAA, St Clair's stock will most likely rise to a future MLS draft pick and is regarded as Canada National Team next generation goalkeeper, despite a number of good keepers in the same age group. 2. Alex Comsia - North Carolina FC U23



No Canadian player has a better amateur pedigree than Alex Comsia, The Vancouver native played for the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency program before moving to Europe, and now is a starting defender on one of the top NCAA programs, UNC, who lost the Championship finals last season. He also has been a key contributor for the Canadian youth national team at many age levels as well as Captaining Canada and playing every major tournament. Still under the MLS radar, a strong season this year could change that with a potential Whitecaps homegrown contract or being selected in the next MLS draft. 1. Kamal Miller - K-W United



A standout at the Sigma College showcase in a couple years ago, the Defender from Pickering has become a starter with NCAA powerhouse Syracuse and called into the Canadian youth set up. The 20 year old can play both Center Back or Full Back and would be regarded as a prospect for the upcoming MLS draft. Miller moved from Vaughan in League1 Ontario to KW-United in the PDL, playing 11 games so far during the 2017 campaign. He is expected to lead Syracuse defense this season, which should raise his prospect stock value even higher.

Aaron Neilsen is a co-founder of Prospect XI (Prospect Eleven), a scouting network and online magazine dedicated to tracking/highlighting young players that refer to as "prospects" as well as their development pathways both within North America and worldwide. Follow PXI via www.prospectxi.com or on twitter @ProspectXI.