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Took some time to clip together Ayo Akinola's plays for Toronto FC throughout the group stage of the #MLSisBack tournament.
I mainly looked at his movement, hold-up play, his ability to drop deep and his one on one ability. Nothing crazy, but the crossfade is low key gas.
I mainly looked at his movement, hold-up play, his ability to drop deep and his one on one ability. Nothing crazy, but the crossfade is low key gas.
I'll start with his movement, an attribute of his that I have hyped up throughout all three games.
This attribute of his game has improved the most since his time with the US U20s. His recognition of where there is space to run into is really, really good for someone his age.
This attribute of his game has improved the most since his time with the US U20s. His recognition of where there is space to run into is really, really good for someone his age.
Next is his one-on-one ability which is probably the weakest part of his game.
Seems kind of lost trying to beat a man at times, especially when presented with more than one option of how to play the ball. Definitely something to watch film back on after this tournament.
Seems kind of lost trying to beat a man at times, especially when presented with more than one option of how to play the ball. Definitely something to watch film back on after this tournament.
These are all clips of him dropping into the midfield or a little deeper to get on the ball.
It's important for a forward to understand when and how to drag CBs out of position to create space for overlaps, and that recognition is raw but evident in Akinola's game.
It's important for a forward to understand when and how to drag CBs out of position to create space for overlaps, and that recognition is raw but evident in Akinola's game.
Finally, I looked at his hold-up play. I'd like to preface this saying he is only 20 y/o and still adjusting to playing against men.
There's definitely some moments where he's completely overpowered, but there are also some really promising moments of how well he holds the ball.
There's definitely some moments where he's completely overpowered, but there are also some really promising moments of how well he holds the ball.
I’ll be the first to admit I was not high on Akinola at youth level. However, he has shown tremendous growth and exactly what he’s capable of in Orlando.
At the very least, he’s shown he deserves to by Jozy’s understudy in the regular season ahead of Patrick Mullins.
At the very least, he’s shown he deserves to by Jozy’s understudy in the regular season ahead of Patrick Mullins.
