So I took a drive to the Home Depot Center today where the US Development Academy Finals are being held.
Specifically, I went to watch Real So Cal vs Concorde Fire.
My objective was to identify if there were any elite players. One of 3four3’s missions is to scout and promote the absolute cream. In this match there was only one!
His name is Moises Orozco, an offensive center mid, and the kid can play! Brian Kleiban first reported on him back in April when Thomas Rongen’s U20s played in the Dallas Cup Supergroup. Now that I’ve seen him, I wholeheartedly agree. Moises is on a completely different level.
Let’s Break Him Down
- Extremely technical.
- Exquisite first touch.
- Calm under all scenarios. He could have defenders draped all over his back without even flinching. It’s a walk in the park.
- He can use both feet. Real So Cal’s 2nd goal was from his left-footed strike at the top of the box.
- Excellent vision and awareness. Off the ball, he is constantly looking over his shoulder and refreshing his “map” of the field. He’s always searching and moving into space as well.
- Great decision-making.
- His distribution is quality. The 3rd goal was a brilliantly well-weighted through ball for an assist.
- Very elusive with subtle instinctive body-fakes before and after his touches.
- Everything he does is smooth, NOT robotic or forced like the traditional American player.
As for weaknesses, his defensive work rate left much to be desired. This leads me to question his work ethic – a prerequisite to reaching the highest levels. Then again it’s tough to be conclusive here without observing his training sessions over time.
Additionally from US Soccer’s perspective, he is not an athletic specimen. But that shouldn’t matter. His lack of blistering speed, brute force, vertical leap, or whatever other silliness people look at, does not hinder him or his function in the least.
Moises Orozco is ready to be a professional NOW! No college, no more youth club, or anything else! Some player agent needs to get on the ball and make it happen before the US ruins yet another kid’s potential.
Hi Gary,
Moises Orozco is already a pro, albeit not one that is nearinga a fisrt team debut. He plays since last season for a junior team of Tigres UANL in Monterrey, Mexico. Rongen has visited them frequently to scout him, Luis Osegueda and other youth players they have. He is in good terms with the Dutch youth manager they have which has lead them to be champions of the U-20 league last season.
Also with the club is Orr Barouch and israeli-american forward who’s been scoring lately.
Hi!
Thanks you for sharing. We know Tigres very well as we have a relationship with their academy director and actually sent a couple players down there before. One of them, Jonathan Prieto, played for them in Copa Chivas. The other, spent quite a bit of time playing in their “segunda” (before the U-20 division was implemented). He was offered a pro contract but opted to come back to the states and play college – time will tell if that was a good move.
As far as Moises … if I recall correctly, it took him scoring a free kick on Rongen’s YNT, to finally get a call up.
As far as him being pro, I know the Mexican clubs have their U20s, almost always, under contract and are paid. So in that respect, you are totally right. He is technically a professional. However, in my opinion, I think Moises should be cracking first team action – I guess that’s what I really mean by “pro”.
Finally, I should’ve updated the post to say that he has signed with a player agent. It is Mike Gartlan from “James Grant Sports Management”:
http://www.jamesgrantsports.com/team/4/mike-gartlan.php
Thanks again MrDelriego!
Interestingly Orozco seems to be playing some forward at Tigres. Odd, as I think he’s clearly a CAM.