Philadelphia area high school boys best XI
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The high school season in the area is a couple weeks in the rearview now, which has given some time to do something that’s challenging to do when there are games nearly every night of the week: reflect. With so…
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Continue ReadingThe high school season in the area is a couple weeks in the rearview now, which has given some time to do something that’s challenging to do when there are games nearly every night of the week: reflect.
With so many programs in the Delaware Valley, it’s not easy to get out to see every team play in person or stream online so any Best XI I put together is going to be subjective but this represents a snapshot of the players who really stood out for me this past fall.
I went with a 3-5-2 for my formation.
Best XI
Ross led the Sallies front line again, scoring goals in bunches and leading them to another state title in a season worthy of a second straight state player of the year honor.
Sam was the star of the Aces attack and helped lead them to a District 1 title and to the state final. The West Virginia-bound attacker did a lot more than just score and set up goals in an incredible season that even a lopsided loss in the state final shouldn’t spoil.
Collins Oduro
Collins Oduro
Oduro was basically unstoppable in his first season at Phelps, scoring 40 goals and leading them to the Pennsylvania independent schools title.
Drew Roskos Drew Roskos F Delran (NJ) | 2024 NJ
Drew Roskos Drew Roskos F Delran (NJ) | 2024 NJ
After leading the Bears to a state final in 2021, Roskos was a marked man but responded to the challenge by leading them back to another state final. He scored a couple big goals in the state final with headers, something you wouldn’t expect one of the shorter players on the field to do but that’s just the type of big game player Roskos has proven to be.
Hood was a force for Caravel in the midfield all season long – especially in transition – and helped lead them to another Division 2 state title.
Luke Chatten
Luke Chatten
Chatten was the star for Haddon Township in the middle in a season where they won both the South Jersey Coaches Tournament and a state title. Whether he was creating goals for teammates or himself, pressing and defending, Chatten did it all.
Shipley won a league title and made it to the independent schools semi with a lot of weapons in their arsenal but Jack’s presence and leadership in the middle was a big reason for their success.
Velez starred or Pennridge playing both in a defensive and offensive role and was named the Pennsyvlania Soccer Coaches Association player of the year.
Like his brother, Joe provided experience and leadership for a Shipley team that was one of the top teams in the area this season. The brothers were both named to the High School All-American game and are headed to Maryland next fall.
Antonio Rosario
Antonio Rosario
Life Center Academy doesn’t always get the attention they deserve in South Jersey for developing players and competing with teams in both New Jersey and Pa. but they deserve the attention and respect because of the players they have been developing in their program. There’s a number of players from this year’s team that impressed but the 6-4 center back Rosario stood out most when I saw them play.
Phillips was at his best in Ryan’s run to the Philadelphia Catholic League championship. His save in the penalty shootout sealed the victory over Father Judge.
Bench
Kuegler is one of those players you really need to watch in person to fully appreciate. He’s not always flashy, but he plays with maximum effort and is just a joy to watch. He’s a student of the game who led Henderson to a league title and competitive showings in both the district and state playoffs.
Highlights
There were a lot of question marks coming into this season on a Conestoga team that lost so much to graduation after last year’s state title run but Ramirez emphatically answered the question of what playmaker would emerge in the attack.
Highlights
It wasn’t in the state final like in 2020 but Appo got the better of Salesianum in the regular season but couldn’t repeat the feat in the playoffs. Their leader throughout was Hastings who capped a stellar high school career.
Matt Conger
Matt Conger
Conger scored some big goals for Shawnee this season, but what I like most about him is his calmness and his ability to step up when called upon to deliver big plays.
Riley Martin
Riley Martin
Springfield was a fun team to watch this season and was arguably the better team in the final that they lost in overtime. Martin set the tone for the attack and will be leading them possibly on another deep run into the post-season next year.
Sean McKenna
Sean McKenna
rnThough they fell in PKs in the Catholic League final and were knocked out of the quarterfinals of the state playoffs, Father Judge had a wildly successful season. McKenna embodied that with his play and leadership on the back line.
Winning a state title in Group 4 in New Jersey is no easy feat but Cherokee was able to pull it off with some gritty performances. Meder was a player who popped up on numerous occasions with a big play to lead them.