Bryan Moyado – Los Angeles FC’s deep-lying midfield prodigy

Los Angeles FC II who ply their trade in the MLS Next Pro are yet to win a game in the tournament, losing 5 games and only drawing 2 as they have chosen to utilize one of the youngest teams in the league. Their young players could be better off with the playing experience as the MLS side have a treasure trove of young talent in their youth ranks. Bryan Moyado is one of these young talents as the 17-year-old from Los Angeles has proved to be an instrumental presence at the base of midfield at such a young age. He will also be going to UCLA to pursue his studies as he has been a mainstay with United States’ youth national teams at U17 and U19 level, but he may not get the opportunity at UCLA if he continues on this trajectory. The teenager could develop into a high-level player and a future stalwart for the United States’ Men’s National Team, stringing things together at the base of midfield.

Moyado possesses an innate understanding of the deep-lying midfield position at such an early age as his directional first touches to drive the ball away from pressure and create space for himself are constantly intelligent. He has the requisite size and savviness to receive possession, put his body in between the ball and an opponent to shield possession, turning out of pressure to play the ball forward. The 17-year-old is a midfield metronome as his movement in behind the first line of pressure to create passing angles is fantastic as he can receive possession and work connections before playing the ball forward. In the final third, he constantly moves into space to receive possession, spreading the ball to the flank before rolling accurate passes in between the lines. Defensively, his positioning is sound as he thrives in the counter-press, being in the perfect position to make clean tackles or interceptions to regain possession. In and out of possession, his head is constantly on swivel, always scanning to move into space to receive possession or to cover a passing lane to deny passing access to an opponent or to make an interception.

Away to Portland Timbers II, he received possession in the six-space, surrounded by four opposition attackers as he swiveled away from the opposition attacking midfielder to thread a progressive pass to Julian Gaines on the right flank. In the attacking phase, he received possession once more, driving the ball forward, working a sideways pass to Gaines once more who dribbled into the centre to lay-off the ball for Moyado who threaded a progressive line-breaking pass on his first touch with his weaker left foot, threading the ball in between two players to the ten space. He moved to the right half-space to receive possession, scanning as the ball was rolling to him to identify an attacker on the outside of his left shoulder as he controlled the ball with the inside of his left boot, using his directional first touch to prod the ball to the outside of his right foot, driving possession to attract a marker and spread the ball to the right flank.

Moyado thrives in tight spaces as he can use his body to shield the ball, release the ball on his first or second touch with either foot, work pass and move sequences to evade pressure while he has the ability to slalom past markers. He exhibited this when he regained possession from an opposition throw-in with an interception, controlling the ball with his in-step to switch the ball to the outside of his boot, skipping past a marker to drive the ball forward and execute a delicate little dink to a teammate in the ten space to start a counter-attacking move. Los Angeles FC II usually build-up in a standard 2+3 shape with Moyado positioned in the six-space as his side were bringing the ball out with the left back as the 17-year-old moved into the left half-space to act as a passing option before moving back into the centre as the ball was played forward as he received a lay-off in the six-space to play a one-touch pass to the ball-far 8 space.

In the opposition half, Moyado received possession in the six-space, spinning away from pressure to work a pass to the right flank as he moved to the right half-space, receiving possession with his back towards the centre, scanning to identify a marker following him as the ball rolled to him to play a one-touch pass to the flank. Los Angeles II lost possession as Moyado was focused and perfectly positioned to push forward and make a clean challenge but he did not put enough into the challenge as the opposition player skipped past him. Moyado tows the line between being both progressive and reliable with his distribution as he can string together attacking moves from the deeper areas as he received possession from the right flank, allowing the ball to roll across his body to his left boot, taking a touch to play the ball to the eight space for a pass into the box which led to a shooting opportunity. Moyado is capable of receiving and releasing the ball in tight spaces, receiving possession in between the lines to play a one-touch pass to a teammate.

Moyado received possession from a kick-off, taking a touch and playing the ball to his right-back before receiving possession once more to take a touch and spread the ball to the left-back as he moved into space to receive possession again, taking a touch and playing an outside of the boot pass to the nine-space. Moyado constantly receives possession with an open body shape as he received a pass from a centre-back with a marker on his back, allowing the ball to roll across his body to spin away from pressure before playing the ball to the eight space. In another build-up sequence, the 17-year-old dropped in between his centre-backs, playing the ball to the right sided centre-back as he made a move into the six-space before dropping back in between his centre-backs as once his goalkeeper received possession, he moved back into the six-space, constantly scanning as the ball was played to the right flank where he moved into the right half-space, receiving possession to drive the ball forward and play a pass to the eight space with his left foot. Constantly moving to remain available and create good passing angles for teammates is an essential aspect of Moyado’s game.

Moyado received possession to have a shot tipped wide from range before lofting a corner into the box which was cleared. Los Angeles FC II regained possession in the defensive phase as Moyado received possession with an opposition player pushing up to press him as he spun away from his marker and spread the ball to the opposite flank. Moyado’s mastery of the fundamentals of the six-space make him a press-resistant deep-lying playmaker as he can receive possession, allowing the ball to roll across his body to evade pressure, utilize his directional first to drive the ball forward while he is well-versed in receiving possession and turning away from pressure. The 17-year-old received possession in the opposition half, playing the ball to Gaines as his side lost possession in the opposition half with Moyado in the perfect position to make an interception before playing the ball to a teammate. After a clearance, Moyado was positioned perfectly and reacted quickly to regain possession in the counter-press.

In the defensive phase, Moyado made a perfectly timed sliding challenge to regain possession for his side before pushing forward to make another clean challenge in the counter-press and playing the ball to a teammate. From an opposition throw-in, he picked up an attacker, pushing forward to close down the passing lane towards him when the ball was played backwards as he was perfectly positioned to make a tackle and regain possession. The 17-year-old regained possession in another counter-pressing situation, making a tackle and playing an outside of the boot pass to a teammate. He made an interception in the six-space to control the ball and thread a pass to the eight space to instigate a counter-attacking move. In the pressing phase, Los Angeles FC were pressing in a tight 4-3-3 as Moyado moved to the left flank to win an interception as he swiveled away from a defender to play the ball to the ball-far eight space.

In a build-up sequence, Moyado moved into the left half-space as he dropped deeper to move away from one opposition striker before pushing into a vacated pocket of space to move away from another striker, receiving possession to take a touch and play a progressive pass to the eight space as he received a lay-off angling his body to shield the ball before switching possession to the right flank. After he switched the ball, he pushed forward to receive possession and play a one-touch pass to the left flank. In his own half, the 17-year-old would swivel away from pressure to win a foul before receiving possession with a player on his back, using his directional first touch to push the ball forward, using his lanky legs to thread a pass into the attacking line. He received possession once more, using his left foot to control possession before lobbing a pass to a runner on the right flank which was intercepted.

At home to Houston Dynamo II, he started the game in the eight space as his team won a turnover on the left flank for Moyado to play an outside of the boot pass forward. In the defensive phase, he was tracking an opposition attacker moving into the box as he was perfectly positioned to make an interception on a pass into the box before lobbing a pass to a teammate on the right flank. He was positioned in the six-space, closing down the opposition ten as he moved to his left flank to close down an opposition attacker as he intercepted a delivery to him, working a one-two with a teammate to evade pressure before skipping past an attacker as he prodded the ball too far and lost possession. In the opposition half, he was driving the ball forward on the right flank before turning to play the ball to a teammate as he moved back into the half-space. He received possession as an attacker was pushing forward to close down his front foot, so the 17-year-old allowed the ball to roll across his body to his left as he prodded the ball to his right foot to push forward and work a pass in between the lines.

After a turnover, Moyado moved into space as he received possession and played a one-touch pass to a teammate to start a counter-attack before a ball was played to an attacker behind him for the teenager to track back and make a well-timed recovery challenge. After another turnover, a ball was played behind him for the youngster to recover, closing down his man before he intercepted a pass on the flank. In the possession phase, he was positioned in the six-space, identifying a pocket of space in front of him as he made a run into the pocket of space to receive possession and drive the ball into the opposition half where he played a pass into the attacking line. After a turnover in the opposition half, he pushed forward to make a tackle in the counter-pressing phase before working a pass to a teammate. In the counter-pressing phase, he is always positioned soundly to regain possession as he repeated the trick, pushing up to make an interception as he chested the ball to a teammate. Los Angeles II would lose possession again in the opposition half as the 17-year-old held his position as he focused on scanning and covering passing lanes before pushing up to cleanly win possession and play the ball to a teammate.

Moyado lofted a curling delivery into the box which was deflected out as he controlled a high-ball with his first touch while facing his own goal as he used his body to swivel past a marker and poke a pass to a teammate. In the build-up phase, he dropped in between the centre-backs to receive possession and play the ball to the right sided centre-back as he received possession again, driving the ball forward and playing a left-footed pass to the six-space. After a turnover, he received possession and played a one-touch pass to the eight space before he received the ball in the opposition half, controlling the ball with his left foot and pushing the ball forward with his right to lob a pass into the right channel for a runner as the ball bounced away from his teammate. When the opposition were on the counter-attack, he stretched to make a tackle and regain possession for his side. In the build-up phase, he dropped in between the centre-backs to receive possession and trade passes with his left-sided centre-back to play a one-touch pass to a teammate in the six-space who drove the ball forward.

Away to Sporting Kansas City II, after the home side took the lead, Moyado received possession from the kick-off to drag the ball away from a marker with the outside of his right boot before threading a pass to the eight space. The 17-year-old received a lay-off to a take a touch and thread a line-breaking pass for a teammate in the ten space. In the build-up phase, he made a dis-marking movement in the second line to receive a lay-off, playing a one-touch pass to the flank. In the defensive phase, Moyado stretched to make a tackle before laying off possession to a teammate as he would receive possession in the build-up phase, controlling the ball and lofting a pass to a teammate making a run in behind to send a shot wide. While Los Angeles FC II were under pressure in a 4-4-2, Moyado dropped to create a three-chain as wide left-sided centre-back, receiving possession to work passing connections with his centre-back before moving into the six-space, taking a touch and rolling the ball to the eight space. Moyado was positioned in the six-space in the opposition half, moving to the left half-space before the ball was switched to the right-sided centre-back as he pushed forward to receive possession, allowing the ball to roll across his body to his left foot, prodding the ball to his right to thread a pass in between the lines to the ten space.

Moyado received possession in the six-space once more, scanning to lay-off a pass to a teammate before moving into space once more and scanning as he received possession, controlling the ball with his left foot and working a pass with the outside of his right boot as two players closed him down. The 17-year-old received possession behind the first line of pressure to turn and play the ball to the eight space as he would occupy a space in behind the first line of pressure, moving with possession to receive a pass from his left sided centre-back on the half-turn, swiveling to thread another line-breaking pass to the eight space which led to an opportunity on goal. Defensively, he scanned to cover a passing lane before making an interception as he received possession with two opposition players closing him down as he turned to thread a pass to the eight space to play out of pressure. Moments later, he received possession in the six-space to swivel and thread another pass to the eight space to start an attacking move. In the opposition half, he received possession in the six-space, prodding the ball forward and threading a pass to his striker in the nine-space.

Moyado received possession behind the first line of pressure again to take a touch with his right foot before switching the ball to the left flank with his weaker left foot. The teenager received possession in the six-space as he twisted and turned before playing the ball to his right sided centre-back, moving into a pocket of space before moving towards the right half-space as the ball was played to the right-back before being circulated to the left-sided centre-back as the 17-year-old held his position as opposition attackers pushed up to press, receiving the ball before swiveling to play a progressive pass to the ten space. In another build-up sequence, Moyado was positioned in the six-space, moving into pockets of space as the striker’s pushed up to press as when the ball was played to the left flank, he moved into the left half-space, cleverly moving into a striker’s cover shadow to receive possession, turning and threading a pass to the eight space in between two players.

Moyado’s proficiency at moving behind the first line of pressure and picking his spaces to receive the ball is excellent as his late runs and movements into open pockets of space allow him to receive the ball in space and play the ball progressively. Los Angeles FC II played the ball to the eight space as the 17-year-old pushed into a pocket of space to receive possession and switch the ball to the right flank. After a turnover, the ball was played for him to prod the ball forward with his right before playing a delicate pass with his left. He moved in between the lines to receive possession, playing a one-touch pass into the attacking line before receiving possession in the eight space, skipping past a defender to drive the ball forward to send a shot from range high and wide. In the defensive phase, he lunged to make a tackle on an opponent in midfield before swiveling to play the ball to the eight space as he regained possession with another tackle in the box.

At 17, Moyado has the requisite tools to become a high-level deep-lying midfielder as his intelligence in movement sets him apart. His understanding of space, especially in moving behind the first line of pressure and constantly tailoring his position and body shape to the circumstances as when a striker pushed forward to close down a centre-back, he will move into the vacated space while he will also move into the half-space when the ball moves to his fullback. His directional first touch is excellent as he can receive and pass the ball with both feet in tight spaces as he usually allows the ball to roll across his body to his weaker left foot, prodding the ball to his right foot before releasing possession. Los Angeles FC II operate in a standard 2-3-2-3 build-up shape as when Moyado receives the ball, he frequently looks to play the ball to the eight space as he can receive possession on one flank and play the ball to the ball-far 8 space as this is integral to his development as most teams utilize 2+3 build-up shapes. When he receives possession in tight spaces, he can turn away from pressure to play the ball forward.

The 17-year-old can push forward and receive possession in tight spaces in between the lines as when he operates in the final third, he is phenomenal at recycling the ball, switching possession from side to side as well as driving possession forward to thread passes in behind. Creatively, he has shown potential in lobbing passes into the channels or lobbing passes for teammates making runs in behind while he has also shown potential as a crosser and a set-piece threat, curling brilliantly weighted deliveries into the box. In tight spaces, he can work passing combinations to move out of tight spaces while he can also drive the ball and slalom out of situations. His first touch is crucial to his ability to move out of tight spaces as he constantly uses his directional first touch to push the ball away from his primary marker or to swivel away from a marker while he is comfortable in moving the ball to the outside of his right boot to skip past a defender.

Defensively, Moyado mainly thrives in the counter-press as his positioning is sound to push up to win 50/50 challenges and make tackles to regain possession in the opposition half. He will need to be more assured in 50/50 challenges as he sometimes loses them as he does not put the full weight of his body behind challenges as he has the potential to become dominant in these situations. He is not always drawn to the ball as there are situations where he will focus on scanning to cover passing lanes for a potential interception as if he senses an opportunity to push forward, he will then look to make a challenge. His defensive scanning is impressive as even in the defensive phase, he will side-step to cover passing lanes to make interceptions. He has long legs to stretch and win tackles as he rarely goes to ground with sliding challenges and looks to win possession on his feet with clean tackles. He is not quick, but he can cover small spaces to make recovery challenges when he is beaten using his long legs to win tackles. Moyado has the potential to operate as the lone pivote in a 4-1-4-1 shape as he is similar to Argentinean deep-lying playmaker, Fausto Vera.

Moyado will be attending UCLA as his contract with Los Angeles FC II ends in December as he may not get the opportunity to attend University as he could be a sought-after prospect in the summer transfer window after he turns 18 in August. Bayern Munich who have an engagement with the MLS club could be an intriguing proposition as he could play in the German Third Division for Bayern Munich II as well as in the UEFA Youth League next season as the German giants have a strong record for developing North American talent. Bayer Leverkusen would also be a good move for him as would Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Monchengladbach. In La Liga, Villareal whose second team plays in the Spanish Second Division would also be an interesting proposition while in Italy, Fiorentina, Bologna, Sassuolo, Atalanta, Lecce and Lazio would also be good moves for him as his style of play suits Italian football. If Antwerp lose Arthur Vermeeren in the summer, Moyado would be a good like-for-like replacement for the Belgian. Benfica or Sporting CP would also be good moveS for the youngster as he has the tools to adapt to Portuguese football.  Moyado has the potential to play at a high-level in Europe as well as growing into a key player for the United States’ Men’s National Team in the future.