California 2024s impress at MLS Next event

The MLS Next Flex event wrapped up earlier this week from Maryland. In the U16/06 age group, the teams from California had a great time at the event. Teams from California won six of the 16 age groups, by far the most from any one state. Plus, four teams from California finished in second place in their respective groups. MLS Next Group Winners From California: VC Fusion - A, Ballistic United - B, De Anza Force - I, Murrieta - N, TFA - O, Strikers - P The terrific showing from the U16 age group put a spotlight on the 2024 class from California. PrepSoccer released <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/california/rankings/boys/2024-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our player rankings for the state earlier this year</a>, which included many of the standouts from the event. However, there were some new names that caught the attention of scouts at the MLS Next showcase. These are the players that were not part of the initial PrepSoccer 2024 class ranking, but impressed scouts at the event. [player_tooltip player_id="45548" first="Roka" last="Tsunehara"], De Anza Force 06 - Tsunehara scored a goal in all three games in Maryland, which is enough to catch the attention of boxscore scouts. His play on the field backed up the stats as he did draw at least one of the fouls for the penalty kick. He looks to be the winger to know from the 2024 class. He is skillful on the ball with very quick feet. [player_tooltip player_id="41536" first="Eli" last="Wachs"], who is already on most scouts radars, had an outstanding assist on Tsunehara's goal from Monday's win. [player_tooltip player_id="45552" first="Eric" last="Martinez"], Murrieta Soccer Academy 06 - Neat trick to steal the ball off of a defenders foot, eases up on pressure for a half second and then flicks the ball away. It was remarkably effective at the event. He was the leading scorer for Murrieta at the event. College scouts will be looking to see what else Martinez can offer at the next level. He looks to be a support striker or a winger for a college team. [player_tooltip player_id="45551" first="Javier" last="Hernandez"], Total Futbol Academy 06 - Hernandez is the player who will get the most attention after this event. Center forward with his size and skill do not grow on trees. Hernandez impressed scouts with a multitool approach to his game. He is a good target for his team and did well with defenders on his back. He completed passes to the opposite wing to open up the defense. His first touch set him up for success. In front of the goal, he was efficient. He had hat tricks in back-to-back games. He also played the provider role with some assists when his teammates had better opportunities. Hernandez is going to be player to watch during the MLS Next Cup in June. Jaziel Segura was also very good for TFA in Maryland. [player_tooltip player_id="45550" first="Gavin" last="Rivas"], Strikers FC 06 - Rivas really made an impression in the win over St. Louis City SC in the final game of the group play at MLS Next Flex. He was fouled three times in the opening 20 minutes. He did really well in shielding the ball and forcing the defender to go through him to get to the ball. Rivas put the game away quickly too. He had a terrific assist on [player_tooltip player_id="8212" first="Marcus" last="Lee"]'s opening goal, a brilliant knock down header from an impossible angle. Then he scored a goal for himself minutes later with a nice right foot finish - he had great timing on the run and positioning to force the defender off his hip and create space. [player_tooltip player_id="45549" first="Darwin" last="Lopez"], LA Surf 06 - Lopez played in the center of a back three for LA Surf during the MLS Next Flex event. He is at his best when he does not need to mark a player - when he can float and attack the ball (on crosses, from goalkeeper distribution, etc.). He has a tendency to rely on his athletic dominance to make up for shortcomings in positioning. On the ball, he is an excellent passer and will split the lines through the center of the field. He could demand more touches from his team as he is a real asset to keep possession for his side, but LA Surf has a tendency to look forward on throw-ins rather than safe through Lopez. For the next level, he needs to improve as a 1v1 defender as more will be asked on that side of his game. He has the tools to be a great player in that regard as well. [player_tooltip player_id="8640" first="Sean" last="Kelly"], De Anza Force 06 - De Anza Force did not concede a goal during the three games in Maryland - part of that is due to the tremendous play of goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id="7905" first="John" last="Nicolson"] who was especially good against Queen City Mutiny - but it was a combined team effort and some of the players who are not in the PrepSoccer Rankings also stepped up big in the games. Kelly started and played every minute in defense for his side. He played as a left back in two games and left center back in another game. He is an option at either position for the next level. Kelly's best strength is his decision-making and vision. He rarely loses possession of the ball for his side - both in regards to his pass and also to where he plays the pass to set his teammate up for success. Kelly is not the type of outside back to fly up and down the touchline. He is a safe and sound option at outside back, which is a great fit for a program that has a right back that will stay in an attacking option more often than not. Kelly's area for improvement is in aerial situations. He played a little smaller than his size on a couple of crosses. There is still more than enough on tape from Kelly to make him a top prospects from outside back or center back from California in the class of 2024. [player_tooltip player_id="45554" first="Walker" last="Blake"], Ballistic United 06 - Ballistic United won Group B at the MLS Next Flex event. Blake finished as the leading scorer for his team with four goals. He played center back. He scored most of those goals from penalty kicks but the former center forward still has an eye for goal. Blake is a promising prospect from the 2024 class. He is a good athlete with tremendous size (6'1) and he uses his advantages on the field. He scored a terrific header in one of the games. Blake is still a work in progress at center back. He can get caught ball-watching, which is to be expected considering how new the position move is in his young career. College scouts have to love the potential - a physically imposing, shutdown defender who is only a sophomore right now. Zolly Corrigan, a 2025, is another player to watch on this Ballistic United squad. He is a fiercely competitive midfielder. [player_tooltip player_id="45555" first="Diego" last="Prieto"], Ventura County Fusion 06 - Prieto lined up as a winger, center forward, and outside back during the three games in Maryland. His best spot is probably left wing as he linked up well with [player_tooltip player_id="41546" first="Sergio" last="Villalpando"] when he played as the center forward. Prieto is left footed and strikes the ball well in shooting opportunities. He can play in tight spaces with quick footwork and good body feints. Jakob Santiago, one of the center backs, also had a strong showing for Fusion at the event.