2012 College Cup: Analysis of Georgetown's prospects after Maryland match

Georgetown advanced to the 2012 College Cup final after a wild penalty shootout victory over Maryland, their first victory over the Terps in school history. Among the standouts in the match for the Hoyas were several MLS prospects:

Steve Neumann: After getting off to a slow start, Steve Neumann lived up to his hype. All three of his goals were phenomenal in different ways, showing off his versatility. He tends to play behind Brandon Allen, allowing him to roam around a bit more. He set up his first goal off a cross from outside the box. The second came from outside the box, which he bent into the top of the goal. His third came off a running pass from Andy Reimer, which he tapped in with ease. He could work on his consistency and accuracy a little bit more, and his set piece deliveries were not the best they could have been. However, it's easy to see why he is so highly rated. I also want to point out his ability to read the game. He finds the space, whether it's to score goals or set them up, and has the ability to really break down defenses. One thing to note - Neumann is a Junior, and it is unclear as to whether or not he will be offered a Generation Adidas contract.

Andy Reimer: One of the top three goal scorers on the Georgetown team prior to today's match, Reimer impressed despite not scoring himself. The right footed flank player showed how much of a threat he can be - he crossed into the box well, and set up Steve Neumann beautifully on Neumann's third. I was also pleasantly surprised to see him tracking back to help the defense. He was reported to have picked up an injury, but he didn't show any signs of this. In the penalty kick shootout, he confidently slotted his home. I don't see Reimer as being a first round pick in the draft, but he has a lot of qualities that could really be an asset to a lot of teams in this league.

Brandon Allen: The freshman phenomenon scored the third goal of the match by capitalizing on a mistake by Maryland's goalkeeper. By intercepting the goal kick and causing the close-range deflection that led to the goal, Allen's ability to pounce on an opponent's sloppy play was evident. Although Neumann took the headlines for the Hoyas with his goals, Allen's potential to break the game open as a traditional central forward gave Maryland's defense concerns. Although the freshman New York Red Bulls Academy product may not be ready to go pro in 2013, his maturity on the field and understanding of the game means he'll be a great prospect sooner or later.

Jimmy Nealis: It was an up and down game against Maryland for the senior left back. On one hand, he was frequently involved in Georgetown's build-up and scoring chances, setting up Neumann's second goal with a terrific aerial cross. He also showed his composure in converting the decisive penalty kick for the Hoyas in the penalty shootout. On the other hand, his team was responsible for giving up a 4-2 lead in the second half. When Nealis did defend, he often looked like he was drifting into the center of the field. In part, that's not surprising since Maryland's goals came through the center of the field. As with many full backs, Nealis will have some questions raised about his defensive abilities at the pro level, but he is one of the best prospects at the position in the draft class.