USMNT: Top 3 central midfielders for 2022 World Cup qualifying
2. Paxton Pomykal
FC Dallas academy graduate Paxton Pomykal may have developed as an attacking midfielder in his youth, sliding through balls between defenders, slaloming into penalty areas, and even showing an eye for goal, but as his first full-time season in MLS proved, he is a much more all-around midfielder.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
Under Luchi Gonzalez, Dallas used a versatile midfield trio in which each player was asked to partake in both offensive and defensive moments. Pomykal flourished in this more rounded role and it might be that he eventually settles into a patrolling box-to-box position as he enters his senior years.
Last year, he completed 83.9% of his passes, made 3.88 passes into the final third per 90 minutes, 1.48 passes into the penalty area per 90, and 5.55 progressive passes per 90. He created 1.63 chances per 90. He was also excellent at dribbling, completing 65.8% of his 1.82 attempts per 90. He averaged 205 yards per 90 of progressive distance with his ball carries (that being the number of yards in total he carried the ball towards the opposition goal).
But he was also combative without the ball. He made 3.3 tackles per 90, conducted 25.6 pressures per 90, and made 0.96 interceptions per 90. He is more than just a playmaker now. At just 19, Pomykal turned into an all-around central midfielder, and as he continues to settle into a deeper role, he might force his way into the USMNT starting XI.