USMNT: Five youngsters who could turn Gold Cup heartache into World Cup success
By Chris Smith
4. Paxton Pomykal
That leads us nicely to our next player: FC Dallas’ Paxton Pomykal. At just 19 years old, the Lewisville-born midfielder is already showing all the hallmarks of a future star of world-class proportions.
His low centre of gravity makes him almost impossible to dispossess and so far this season, he ranks joint-third among FC Dallas players for successful dribbles per 90 minutes (1.4). When you give Pomykal the ball, you know you’re keeping it safe.
Even more impressive is his ever-growing range of passing. Pomykal has made 2.1 key passes per 90 minutes during MLS this season. Sure, he only has one assist, but he’s created 24 chances for his teammates so far. The assists will increase over the course of the season.
But the most striking element of Pomykal’s game, especially given his young age, is his intelligence and discipline without possession. FC Dallas absolutely swarmed D.C. United during their recent clash — a 2-0 win for the Texas side — with their high press giving Ben Olsen’s players absolutely no room to breathe or play out from the back.
Right at the heart of that was Pomykal. Playing just behind the striker, he directed his teammates when to close down a man, when to block passing lanes, or when to sit off and allow D.C. to bring their line out. For such a young player to display this level of footballing intelligence is extremely promising. The sooner he is drafted into Berhalter’s senior side, the better.