July 27, 2022 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Minnesota United FC 2 News Release
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. – Minnesota United and MLS NEXT today announced that MNUFC Academy defender Carlos Leatherman is one of the 45 players selected to the inaugural MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate. Additionally, MNUFC2 assistant coach Jeremy Hall has been selected to manage the West Team.
Leatherman, a 17-year-old defender, is the sole representative from Minnesota United’s Academy system, where he appeared in 11 matches and scored two goals this past MLS NEXT season. He has also seen significant action in 2022 with MNUFC2. So far this season for the MLS NEXT Pro side, Leatherman has made 12 appearances (11 starts) on the back line and has seen 967 minutes on the pitch for the Loons to-date.
“It’s a great chance to get to represent the amazing club that I’ve been a part of the last six years,” said Leatherman. “It’s really just a great opportunity to showcase my skills and is a testament to all the hard work I’ve put in with the teams throughout the years. It’s a really cool way to finish off the [MLS NEXT] year.”
Leading the West squad will be MLS great Jeremy Hall, who played 127 games for five MLS teams during his playing career and is currently in his first year as an assistant coach for MNUFC2.
“In such a short time, I feel like I’ve been able to form such a good relationship with Jeremy [Hall], and I feel like him already knowing me, it’s definitely a benefit. I know his play style, so it’ll be helpful for me when we play the game,” said Leatherman about playing on Hall’s West Team.
Two teams will compete in an East vs. West format at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN on the day of the MLS All-Star Game, Wednesday, August 10. Twenty-eight of the 29 MLS academies had at least one player selected to the inaugural rosters. Below are the full rosters of selected MLS NEXT players on their respective teams:
East West
Player Team Age Player Team Age
Ignacio Alem D.C. United 16 Alejandro Alcala LA Galaxy 17
Esmir Bajraktarevic New England Revolution 17 Christopher Aquino Seattle Sounders FC 16
Israel Boatwright Inter Miami CF 17 Edgar Bazan Sporting Kansas City 16
Thomas Bouffard CF Montréal 17 Adam Beaudry Colorado Rapids 16
Brian Carmona Romero Charlotte FC 16 Alejandro Carrillo Nashville SC 17
Noah Cobb Atlanta United FC 17 Kevin Chavarria Colorado Rapids 17
Benjamin Cremaschi Inter Miami CF 17 Mihail Gherasimencov Vancouver Whitecaps FC 17
Giorgio DeLibera…
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