New York City 2021 Preseason All-Metro Boys

In the most populated metro region in the country, it is difficult to limit the selections to only 11 players — especially when a few of the nation’s powerhouses are located near the Big Apple.

Truth is the NYC Preseason All-Metro team has more of a North Jersey-Long Island look as opposed to in the city this year.

Here’s a glance at the players to watch this fall:

FORWARDS: St. Benedict’s junior Matheus Lucas Matheus Lucas F St. Benedict’s | 2023 NJ won the Golden Boot Award at the Capelli Sport Cup in Denmark on Aug. 1 after helping his U.S.-based team to the championship. He debuts with St. Benedict’s this fall. … Mamaroneck senior Milton Mancias-Magana Milton Mancias-Magana F Mamaroneck | 2022 NY was the lone underclassmen on the 2020-2021 New York Large School All-State team. He also earned the LoHud Westchester/Putnam Player of the Year honors after helping the team to a 13-0-1 season. He scored three game-winning goals. … Staying in the Lower Hudson area, Yorktown senior George Popovic George Popovic M Yorktown | 2022 NY might push Mancias-Magana for top local honors in 2021. Popovic scored 11 goals and had six assists in an abbreviated season.

MIDFIELDERS: Molik Jesse Khan Molik Jesse Khan M St. Benedict’s | 2022 MN might be the most intriguing high school player in the nation. First off, how many high school players have their own Wikipedia page? Khan does, thanks in part to being named to Trinidad & Tobago’s full men’s national team at the age of 17 for the 2021 Gold Cup qualifiers. The St. Benedict’s junior made his debut in the TT Pro League at the age of 15 and became the league’s youngest goalscorer a few weeks later. He was on trial with New York Red Bulls in 2021. … Another notable junior is Joaquin Niehenke Joaquin Niehenke D Seton Hall Prep | 2023 State NJ of Seton Hall Prep. The PDA player turned heads at the MLS NEXT playoffs this past summer and is being courted by several major colleges. He moves into the midfield this fall after playing in the backline last year. … Juan Gomez Juan Gomez F Brentwood | 2022 NY might be the best player ever for Brentwood coach Ron Eden. That’s saying something since this is Eden’s 42nd year with the program. Gomez is getting professional interest following a spring season where he had 13 goals and 14 assists. He’s one of three holdovers from Brentwood’s 2019 state title-winning team. … Rounding out this stellar group of midfielders is Francesco Pavano Francesco Pavano M Chaminade | 2022 NY of Chaminade. The senior does not put up big numbers but controls the match. He was a first-team Catholic High School Athletic Association last fall after helping Chaminade to an undefeated season.

DEFENDERS: West Orange defender Ari Rosu Ari Rosu D West Orange | 2022 NJ was the lone underclass defender on the NJ.com All-State teams last year (nine players total), and he was one of three first-team selections. In addition to stellar defensive skills, Rosu took West Orange’s set pieces. … Commack senior Tommy Wagner was a first-team All-Long Island selection following the league’s spring high school season. Wagner did not allow a goal by any player he man-marked last season. … Rye senior Ian Koford Ian Koford D Rye | 2022 NY was a key part of a defense that allowed only four goals in the team’s nine-game season.

GOALKEEPER: Jayden Hibbert Jayden Hibbert GK St. Benedict’s | 2022 NJ of St. Benedict’s is sitting on several major college offers, and is being courted by the likes of Connecticut, Georgetown and Michigan.