Sophomore Standouts: Seven to Watch from Arizona

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer state rankings for the class of 2025 in Arizona were released last week. The sophomore class is one of the most exciting in the state in some time. Part of the reason why is the excellence of the scouting department at the Barca Residency Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona. Barca has pulled in players from all over the country in to the residency program that has produced a number of professional players in recent years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arizona has also been a target for professional academies as well. Real Salt Lake has targeted the top players from the area - which has left some prospects from Arizona not in these rankings as the PrepSoccer state rankings use the player's current club as the state for rankings.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even with that amount of scouting, there is still a significant amount of talent worth being on the radar of scouts from the Arizona Class of 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63615e938b8ba","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["59856"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Petrie is the top prospect from Arizona in this class. He is on the national radar as well. Petrie was a breakout star in MLS Next last season. As a regular to the MLS Next All-Star games, Petrie showed that he can compete against the best in the nation. He is a center midfielder, a no. 8. He is crafty on the ball with an excellent ability to use every part of his foot to manipulate the ball. His technical quality makes him an easy plug and play prospect as he does well in one or two-touch situations. His quick decision-making and movement off the ball make him a catalyst for his club's style of play. He plays for the Barca Residency Academy U17 team. He is right-footed and does take the free kicks for his team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["59860"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Perez is the hottest striker in MLS Next. It's rare that he does not score in a game. He was a local player who joined Barca Academy this season. He fit like a glove with his new team as he continues to find ways to be extremely efficient in front of goal. There are elements of Perez's game that need to improve for the next level - shielding the ball, combination play - but there is no denying his finishing instincts. He has a tactical intelligence that lacks in many center forwards. His ability to position himself in goal-scoring opportunities is an elite talent among youth players. Perez has a bright future in the game and one to watch this season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["10668"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Okigbo is another new addition to Barca Residency Academy this year. He previously played for Atlanta United - and was one of the top prospects from Georgia. He is the type of player who is capable of providing a moment of brilliance in the game. He is explosive with the ball - quick first step, good close control, skillful dribbler.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["62178"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Brislin is a standout center back for SC del Sol. He is a towering figure on the field as he stands at well over six-feet tall. He uses his size well in aerial duels. Brislin is excellent on the ball and often is the key player in the build-up for his side. He is a vocal leader and does well instructing his team when organizing the defense. With his size and intelligence, he will be an early target for scouts from the 2025 class.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["62201"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Landeros is a center midfielder for the Real Salt Lake AZ U17 team. He is an important piece for his team's success. He dictates the play for RSL AZ with his approach. He is strong on the ball and does well running through challenges. He uses his body well in tackles and offers a determined defensive approach from that role. On the ball, he is a sharp passer with good vision.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["61975"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Sweatman is a new name for me this season, but he has certainly impressed. He is another winger on Barca Academy. He has been influential for the club's U16 team in MLS Next. He had a bright showing against LAFC. He matches up well with outside defenders with his work rate on both sides of the ball. There are qualities to his game to suggest he has a very high ceiling. His positional understanding and unique ability to escape pressure are some of his best attributes.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["6709"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Gutierrez is a star at the high school level. He scored nearly 30 goals as a freshman last season. The expectations are even high during this upcoming campaign. Gutierrez rightfully collected a number of awards for his play at the high school level, which will make him a marked player during the 2022/2023 season for Salpointe.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->