Rankings Analysis: New Jersey Sophomores
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The PrepSoccer Player Rankings for New Jersey for the class of 2025 were released on Friday. The player rankings are based on a player’s club location (for instance, a player who plays high school soccer in New Jersey, but plays…
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Continue ReadingThe PrepSoccer Player Rankings for New Jersey for the class of 2025 were released on Friday. The player rankings are based on a player’s club location (for instance, a player who plays high school soccer in New Jersey, but plays for World Class FC would be listed in the New York rankings).
For the New Jersey class, there are a handful of players among the sophomore class who look to already be on the professional pathway. Midfielder Nate Worth is the No. 1 player in the class. The U.S. U15 Boys National Team captain has been part of the squad with the Red Bulls II, as one of the youngest players on the team. He is included in the player rankings at this point, but will be moved out of the rankings if he signs a professional contract with Red Bulls or another club.
Red Bulls is well represented on this list from both current and past players. One of the recent additions to the club is center back Yacouba Bamba Yacouba Bamba D State #72 Nation NJ , who joined the club in 2022. He was a standout on the preseason trip to Europe including some a screamer of a goal. Bamba is one of the best stories in MLS Next this season, as his path to an MLS academy could be the start of new pipeline.
Check out the scouting report on a handful of players in the rankings below.
Williams was a bright spot for Real Jersey FC (Real JFC) in MLS Next Cup Showcase last season. He scored three goals in three games. He is a 2006, but a 2025 graduate. Williams is a false 9/attacking midfielder who plays with quite a bit of positional flexibility. The team’s style of play puts him in the spotlight as he can read the opposition and find the weak spots in the defense. He is an opportunistic player in that regard. He will gamble in the transition and punish teams with a lethal finish if given half a chance. Williams is a player who will be on the radar of many scouts this year as he looks to lead Real JFC into the playoffs in MLS Next.
Porucznik is on the watch list in this update. The talented midfielder was on trial with Colorado Rapids during the summer, but a move has not been announced. He did not appear on the TSF Academy roster during the opening weekend of the season, which adds some intrigue to a possible club switch in the future. Porucznik impressed last season in MLS Next as a technical center midfielder who was excellent on the ball.
Munoz opened up the 2022/2023 MLS Next campaign with a dominant performance at the U16 level. The defensive midfielder dictated the game against TSF. He was always in the right spot to shut down the opposition. He did well on the ball in connecting passes. He took a couple of shots with passes to split the defense with some success. The PDA U16 team looks to be one to watch this season with Munoz, Ben Mills, and Alix Jerome in the midfield.
Highlights
Carro was one of two players born in 2007 who started for the PDA U17 MLS Next in the opening game of the season, outside back Becket Empson-Speiden Becket Empson-Speiden D State NJ was the other one to start the game. Both players are in the state rankings. Carro is a midfielder with a more defensive mindset. He does well in protecting the defense with a double pivot. His instincts are excellent. He reads the game well and puts himself in the right spots to support his teammates. Carro has big-time potential. He needs to improve in his defensive duels as he was caught flat-footed a couple of times when faced up against an attacker. Adding that element to his game will make him an irreplaceable piece of PDA squad.