Players who are standing out in San Diego
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A wealthspring of talent and ability exists in San Diego. There are powerhouse programs in the San Diego Section that produce college level talent every year, and here are a few names to know for the rest of this season,…
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Continue ReadingA wealthspring of talent and ability exists in San Diego. There are powerhouse programs in the San Diego Section that produce college level talent every year, and here are a few names to know for the rest of this season, and for fans to keep an eye on as they go to play at the next level.
Lucas Beltran Lucas Beltran GK CA , San Dieguito Academy, Senior, Keeper
Beltran joined SDA as a sophomore after playing Academy as a freshman, and showed that he is a special player. He’s got great foot skills, and makes great decisions. It seems like he makes the right decision at each moment. He’s a very intelligent player. He’s a natural leader who reads the game well. Beltran is committed to Davidson.
Gavin Culley, San Dieguito Academy, Senior, Forward
The City SC player can play across the top, either playing the 7, 9 or 11. He is a versatile player who is not satisfied unless he achieves his goals. He sets his goals and becomes very motivated and works hard. He is the team’s leading scorer because it is a goal he set for himself. He’s committed to Albert College.
Jackson Delassandro, San Dieguito Academy, Senior, Forward
Delassandro is a UC Riverside commit. He plays forward at SDA and plays defense for his club, so UC Riverside is getting a versatile player. He’s explosive, he’s fast and he’s dynamic. He drives the ball to the middle of the pitch and causes the defense to follow and overload, opening up his teammates. He shows great movement off the ball, he wins in 1v1 situations and can use both feet.
Soren Groessl, San Dieguito Academy, Senior, Attacking Midfielder
Groessl is the type of player who gets license to float between the No. 9 and the No. 10. He’s a creative and crafty player. He’s very understated and often times flies under the radar, which allows him to set up his teammates. However, he’s a top class finisher and can finish with both feet, and you will always see him moving, looking to create interchanging play.
Charaboy Iniestra, San Pasqual, Senior, Forward
Iniestra is an extremely fast player. He is a good finisher and is the type of attacker who can take games over. He’s fun to watch for fans of the game as he has that wow factor. He’s a difference maker for the Golden Eagles front line.
Ethan McNaughton Ethan McNaughton M San Dieguito Academy | 2023 CA , San Dieguito Academy, Senior, Central Midfielder
McNaughton is another versatile player for SDA as he can play center back or outside back as well as centrally in the midfield. He is the type of player that breaks up play very well, and is very excellent defensively, tracking back to defend with the best of them. He has a high soccer IQ and works really well with his teammates.
Elijah Mineiro, Torrey Pines, Senior, Keeper
Mineiro is not the prototypical keeper in terms of size, but because of his great instincts, he can cover all corners of his goal. He reacts well, he reads the game well and he’s a great leader to have between the posts.
Brandon Oros, San Pasqual, Senior, Central Defender
Oros is a great leader for the Golden Eagles and is a dominant presence for their defense. He works hard. He has a good passing range, and is dangerous on set pieces. One would be surprised to learn he’s only played center back for two years because he seems to be a natural. He was a keeper before.
Andre Philiboisian, Torrey Pines, Senior, Attacking Midfielder
Philiboisian is an incredibly smooth player, making it look easy as he’s moving the ball forward into the attack from the midfield. He is very creative and finds ways to set teammates up or to score himself. He reads the game very well, and he also displays great leadership.
Nico Quanbeck, San Dieguito Academy, Senior, Defensive Midfielder
Like his teammate Beltran, Quanbeck is committed to Davidson. He is a big, tall holding mid with a soccer IQ already at a college level. He’s shifty, he’s clever and is excellent on the ball. He’s always thinking ahead and is so gifted he can essentially run a midfield on his own.
Juan Serrano, Torrey Pines, Senior, Midfielder
Serrano is a very skilled midfielder. He can use both feet, and picks out great passes to either side of the pitch or finds lanes to make precision passes through. He reads the game very well and is a very technical player.
Iain Wagner Iain Wagner F St. Augustine | 2024 CA , St. Augustine, Junior, Central Midfielder
Wagner is a very dynamic, versatile and electric player. He can play centrally, or move up into an attacking role. He’s good at taking on defenders and beating them. He’s very good at drawing a crowd and then picking out a pass to set up a teammate. He’s going to be one to watch in terms of where he commits, if he does before he’s a senior.
Dylan Kelley, St. Augustine, Senior, Central Defender
Kelley is an excellent center back, who is incredibly well-rounded. He is strong in the air, and good at stepping out and challenging the ball without overcommitting. He’s very athletic, hard to beat in 1v1 situations and has good speed. He’s also probably the team’s best penalty taker.