The MLS is Back Tournament has provided a platform for the league's young talent to shine, with Minnesota United's Hassani Dotson among those who have made use of the opportunity.
The 22-year-old has emerged as a versatile threat for head coach Adrian Heath dating back to last season, able to slot in centrally or out wide in the midfield. But those might not even be his best positions.
With Romain Metanire sidelined with a hamstring injury for Minnesota's quarterfinal match against the San Jose Earthquakes, Heath started Dotson at right back to great returns. Playing as a fullback for the first time this season, Dotson put in a standout shift, playing a part in two of his team's four goals, while also helping lock down San Jose attacker Vako.
“Hassani did what we expect of him,” Heath said after the match. “The kid is a good player, very difficult to play against. He’s very stubborn. He’s quick. He’s athletic. And he doesn’t give people the time. He takes that individual battle personally. Tonight, as I said to him, he has completely dominated a really good player."
It brings up the question of where Dotson's future lies on the field. Extratime Radio's Charlie Davies feels as though Dotson's skillset lends itself perfectly as a right back, and thinks he has a future there for the US men's national team.
"Right back is probably the best position for him, where he's going to play the most," Davies said. "You talk about US men's national team, because that's obviously the goal, right back is probably the spot where he has a real good shot at the starting right back, if he can maximize his potential going forward."
Watch the whole clip below.
