Rankings Analysis: Four Rapid Risers from the National Rankings
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The Boys Class of 2025 National Player Rankings were released this week. The 2025 class, which includes part of the 2006 and 2007 age groups, features some of the most promising prospects in recent history. Coming up with a ranking…
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Continue ReadingThe Boys Class of 2025 National Player Rankings were released this week. The 2025 class, which includes part of the 2006 and 2007 age groups, features some of the most promising prospects in recent history.
Coming up with a ranking for this group proved to be a daunting challenge with multiple scouts recommending players from all over the country. To learn more about our ranking process on the national scale, read here.
Below is a breakdown of four of the players from the 80-105 range in the Class of 2025 rankings.
Miller is a fascinating prospect. He was originally on the watch list for this class, but his play over the last few weeks at the MLS Next level really made a statement that was too difficult to ignore. Miller is playing at a level right now that makes this ranking already feel too low. His initial scouting report focused on him as a jittery winger with quick feet, decent pressing, and has some good instincts as a goal-scorer. At the U17 level, Miller has shown quality on the ball to play in tight space, a natural instinct around the box that has shown some elite poacher’s instinct, and a fierce competitive drive to continual improve his game. Playing up an age group, Miller is looking like one of the top prospects on LA Galaxy’s fiery U17 team.
The New York City FC goalkeeper is another player who is a rapid riser in the rankings over the last month. He would likely be higher in the rankings, but the game film is relatively limited as he does split time for the MLS academy. From what our scouts have seen, he is a very complete goalkeeper. He has the confidence, technique, and mentality to be a star in the role. He likes to play off his line and is active in cutting out long balls – even outside of his box. He does well with his feet with those situations. He also showed tremendous shot-stopping abilities with a number of highlight-reel saves on a variety of shots. Di Stefano is a name that should be considered among the best goalkeepers in the country in this class.
Highlights
DiMaria is one of a few players from St. Louis City SC who impressed scouts this season. It felt like whenever St. Louis City SC found success in a game, Di Maria was a major reason why. He is in the right spots and making the right decisions with the ball. He plays as an attacking midfielder for St. Louis SC’s U16 team, but it is easy to envision him as a No. 8 at the next level. He has the type of engine to go box-to-box. He also has the playmaking instincts to make a difference in that role. Di Maria is an exciting prospect who is making an influence at a high level now, and has the ceiling to be a difference-maker at the next level.
Delgado is a promising player from Illinois in the Class of 2025. He is developing into a target forward role. He has the tools to be a standout in that position in the future. He does well in his movement off the ball to create space in the box for goal-scoring opportunities. He understands the game and reads plays well before they have developed so he can have that half-step edge on the defender. Improving his strength on the ball so he can be a better option in the link-up play and hold off defenders when he turns toward goal will take his game to the next level.