Watch List: Colorado’s top 2026 and 2027s shine bright

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer Player Rankings for the Class of 2024 and 2025 were updated last month. As part of the scouting process for this classes, we came across a number of 2026 prospects that stood out from the games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are the players that PrepSoccer scouts have added to the watch list for the 2026 and 2027 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the PrepSoccer scouting process here.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["71722"],"_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":"Montes is the left back on the Real Colorado U16 MLS Next team. He impressed during the MLS Next Winter Showcase in Indio. He is a two-way player who is impressively consistent defensively. He rarely makes mistakes. He had some stellar moments in the attack as he is skillful on the ball and capable of taking players off the dribble with either foot. Montes' play at the U16 level should attract the early interests from scouts.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["77393"],"_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":"Real Colorado's coaching staff does a terrific job in identifying players who can dictate the game from a central midfield role. It is a trademark of the U17 through U15 teams. Orchard and [player_tooltip player_id='77406' first='Miguel' last='Benitez'] both have that quality on the Real Colorado U15 team. Orchard was a discovery early in the MLS Next season. His first half performance against Real Salt Lake was impressive. He seemed to come away from every challenge with the ball cleanly. He is not a flashy player, but he takes care of possession of the ball and does well in connecting passes between the lines for his side. Benitez has been excellent at well for many of the same reasons. Benitez is a bit more creative on the attacking side and tends to show for the ball more. He is good in tight spaces and an important cog for Real Colorado in the transition aspect of the game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["74888"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eMadera is the captain of his club side. He plays as a defensive midfielder, and does a bit of everything. He is not the most offensively driven player, but he has the capability of ripping off a shot from distance. He is good at getting into the passing lanes and disrupting the opposition with his interceptions and tackles. He did well in creating some chances with his combination play against Minnesota United. Madera should be a focal point for the Rapids academy for some time, as he is a key player for the style of play of the team.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0026nbsp;u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["71723"],"_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":"Green is the center forward on the Real Colorado MLS Next U16 team. He is an excellent option as the first line of pressure. He creates chances on his own with his defensive work rate. Green playing up against the top 2025s shows well for his future.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["77394"],"_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":"Arguably one of the top performers in the 08 age group during the fall, Patton has made a name for himself in MLS Next during this season. The right center back for Real Colorado is one of the least enjoyable players for forwards to play against. He is rock solid and everywhere. He is part of a defense that did not allow a goal in November. Patton, and his platinum blonde hair, is easy to spot on the field. He immediately makes an impact in most games - either with a tackle to set the tone or a key pass. He is frequently looking for a decisive pass and a direct route to goal. He is a top center back from Colorado in recent years. He has previous experience training in Europe, and it's easy to see that as a possible avenue for him in the future given the quality he has shown in MLS Next this season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["74876"],"_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":"Currently playing as a winger at the youth level, Tigre Sanchez has the tools to be an elite outside back. He has elite pace and quick feet. He dances around challenges on the wing and found considerable success in getting to the end line to put in crosses during the GA Qualifying event in December. Tigre Sanchez's play set up a penalty kick against Inter Miami. He was a target for his team in breaking pressure because he often won when it was 1v1 out wide. The potential is there for the Utah-native to develop more qualities defensively and really come into his own as an attacking outside back. His technical ability on the wing has made him a standout in the attack at the youth level, but his elite recovery pace and physical challenges should make him a versatile options for the future and give the blueprint for a top attacking wingback at the next level.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["77487"],"_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":"Hohl is another player who impressed in the Real Colorado win over Real Salt Lake this season. He was in goal and made an outstanding save in the first half to preserve the shutout. He is quick off the line and has secure hands. He is solid on crosses and usually takes the ball out of the air at the high point. His distribution is a real plus. He is right footed and can ping an accurate pass from touch line to touch line.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["74889"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Malick is a fun player to watch. He has a high level of comfort on the ball. Early on watching him on game tape, it is obvious that he has spent a lot of time working on manipulating and controlling the soccer ball. It translates on the big field, as he is good on the dribble, clever as a passer, and an excellent striker of the ball on shots. The confidence from his mastery of ball control gives him an ease to play under pressure. He is at ease playing under pressure. With lightning quick feet and a soccer brain that never shuts off, Malick seems to always be buzzing about on the pitch. He is one of the smaller players, but he is often one of the most impactful. He is surprisingly one of the best defenders on the Rapids MLS Next team. He plays as a midfielder, but he wins more defensive duels than most players at outside back in this age group. That quality in the pressing aspect of the game allows Rapids to really harass teams in man-marking situations. Malick is one to put on the radar for 2023.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["77462"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"The right back for Real Colorado put one of the top wingers in the country in his back pocket earlier this season. Atwater is a lockdown, shutdown, don't bother trying this side of the field type of defender. He is ready for the challenge and eager to matchup against the wingers who normally shy away from his challenges after a couple of physical duels. Atwater is a player to put on the radar from the 2008 age group. David Gonifas was also a standout on the right side for Real Colorado.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["74862"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Chavarria is a top player in the 2027 class on a national scale - and should be in the picture for the 2008 Youth National Team age group. He is a midfielder with box-to-box qualities - he plays in more of an advanced role for Rapids, but his game is so well-rounded that it is easy to picture him at any spot in a midfield three. He is left footed and an excellent passer for this age. He can really spray the ball around the field. He moves well off the ball and creates space with his intelligent runs. He typically plays one or two-touch soccer - he really impressed me with his decision-making on the ball. He is a late 2008 birthday, but he already looks ready to make up a jump up in level based on his performance at the MLS Next GA event in California at the end of 2022.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["74870"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Stewart is easy to spot on the field given he is the tallest player on the Rapids team. His height is not his only positive attribute though as he is a very good center back for this team. He is competitive and does not quit on the play. He did well in shutting down center forwards with his interceptions. He is a good passer, but does have moments when he gets clumsy on the ball. As he continues to develop and play at a higher level, he will need to improve on his quality on the ball under pressure. He is already a target for his side on set pieces, and should be able to take an even greater role in that position in 2023. One should expect Stewart to score a few more goals off these opportunities this season. Right back [player_tooltip player_id='74884' first='Rohan' last='Aggarwal'] is another to put on the watchlist as he continues to impress in that position for the Rapids.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["74863"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Estrada Soto is the left center back for the Rapids U15 MLS Next team. His strength is in the tackle. He is very good for his age in 1v1 defending, especially in duels. He organizes the back four and usually sets the offside line for his group. He has good athleticism and decent recovery speed. At the next level, the defender needs to be sharper with his passing. He had a tendency to force passes into small windows when his first option was taken away. Improving on his quick decisions and finding different angles to make passes to break pressure will be key to finding success at the next level. Left back [player_tooltip player_id='74885' first='Miguel' last='Alvarado'] is one to put on the watch list as well.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":12,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63b4b46dc03ae"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='77487' first='Alexander' last='Hohl'], Real Colorado&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->