US Soccer identifies top 2025/2026s from So Cal 

<!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":79898,"width":200,"height":131,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/01/SorayaSouvanaphong-IG-crop-2291x1504-1673381024.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-79898" width="200" height="131" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='78359' first='Soraya' last='Souvanaphong']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the start of the recruiting period only a few months away for the class of 2025, every showcase event is a massive opportunity. For a dozen or so 2025s in Southern California, they received some good news recently with an invite to the Talent Identification event in Norco, California on Feb. 28.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing alongside and against some of the best players in the region is a massive opportunity for players in the 2025 class. Many of these players below feature in the PrepSoccer California Rankings for the Class of 2025.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the upcoming event, US Soccer uses the Talent ID Centers to identify the prospects in certain key markets across the country. For some players, it is a check-in on their development since the last Talent ID. For new players, this is the introduction to the Youth National Team programming.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a breakdown of some of the new names to this event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Update: [player_tooltip player_id='33314' first='Ashlyn' last='Puerta'] is likely not taking part in this event as she is in <a href="https://www.gothamfc.com/news_article/show/1260628" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the preseason camp with NWSL side, Gotham FC.</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["19321"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='19321' first='Edra' last='Bello'] is a center back for San Diego Surf. She does this move where she opens up her hips to sell a pass and then drags the ball across her body once the defender is frozen. It's mesmerizing to watch because no one stops it. She does not do it every time but it seems like it opens once a game. She's pulled it off and then ripped a shot into the upper corner of the net with her left foot in one game. In another game, she pulled it off and then played a perfect diagonal ball on the ground with her right foot to the winger. She's a standout for what she offers in possession. She is a solid defender - there are some times when she gets caught a step slow in transition but that's a nit pick of a top prospect for the position.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63efb98632d75"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQvBQ7i1cy8","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQvBQ7i1cy8 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["98163"],"_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":"I believe this is the first US Soccer Talent Identification Center for Hartstein, but apologies if I'm mistaken on that one. She is an acrobatic goalkeeper who loves to make the diving save. She has kept LA Breakers in the game a few times this season with incredible saves - even while playing injured. She is a tough player. She has the potential to be a difference-maker in that role at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["20199"],"_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":"The midfielder from Eagles SC/Oxnard High School was called into a Talent ID Center last year. She has continued to impress with her play in the ECNL. She is a defensive midfielder in her position, but she could be a box-to-box type of midfielder in the future as she does a bit of everything. She is right-footed and can hit a free kick. When she doesn't take the free kick or set piece, she is a target in aerial duels. She is not the biggest player on the field, but she is fearless and attacks the ball. In possession, she is often on the front foot and looking to spring the attack for her side. She has quick feet and moves well laterally. She is a good passer and can ping a ball into open space for her teammates. Pimentel","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["77957"],"_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":"Reese is a defender who plays for Tudela FC and Eagles SC ECNL. She also plays on the Cal South ODP team. Reese loves the game - and seems to just be everywhere. She plays her high school ball for Harvard Westlake. She starts as the left center back for her high school team. She has had an outstanding season at the high school level. She is a fluid athlete and an excellent individual defender. She is physical at point of contact and good at poking the ball off the foot of forwards. She has the physical attributes to be an early target for college coaches.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63efb98632e43"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>US Soccer 2007 Talent ID - Feb. 28, 2023 - Norco, CA&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='79797' first='Gabby' last='Anderson'] (San Diego Surf), [player_tooltip player_id='19321' first='Edra' last='Bello'] (San Diego Surf), [player_tooltip player_id='54208' first='Elise' last='Bolanos'] (LA Surf), Naima Castro (Rebels SC), [player_tooltip player_id='77888' first='Jastel' last='David'] (Legends FC), [player_tooltip player_id='19248' first='Cassidy' last='Drago'] (San Diego Surf), [player_tooltip player_id='78042' first='Sydney' last='Dunn'] (Del Mar Sharks), [player_tooltip player_id='19599' first='Jordyn' last='Dunn'] (Legends FC), Katherine Ellermeyer (San Diego Surf), [player_tooltip player_id='19978' first='Morgan' last='Farnham'] (LAFC So Cal), [player_tooltip player_id='63559' first='Eres' last='Freifeld'] (San Diego Surf), [player_tooltip player_id='79779' first='Ava' last='Gaida'] (San Diego Surf), Mariana Gomez (LA Breakers FC), [player_tooltip player_id='98163' first='Ava' last='Hartstein'] (LA Breakers), [player_tooltip player_id='82823' first='Jaelynn' last='Hillenbrand'] (Legends FC), [player_tooltip player_id='20055' first='Peyton' last='Marinos'] (So Cal Blues), Sophia May (Rebels SC), Daphne Nakfoor (Slammers FC Koge), [player_tooltip player_id='19172' first='Avery' last='Oder'] (LAFC So Cal), Leanne Oropeza (Legends FC), [player_tooltip player_id='19156' first='Ava' last='Paolini'] (Slammers FC HB Koge), [player_tooltip player_id='19686' first='Kayalily' last='Penn'] (Eagles SC), [player_tooltip player_id='20199' first='Sienna' last='Pimentel'] (Eagles SC), [player_tooltip player_id='20102' first='Riley' last='Pink'] (Eagles SC), [player_tooltip player_id='33314' first='Ashlyn' last='Puerta'] (Albion SC), [player_tooltip player_id='54214' first='Victoria' last='Pugh'] (LA Breakers), [player_tooltip player_id='77957' first='Ashle' last='Reese'] (Tudela FC), [player_tooltip player_id='18997' first='Adrielle' last='Salvador'] (LAFC So Cal), Yara Sandoval (Tudela FC), [player_tooltip player_id='83516' first='Kaia' last='Santomarco-King'] (LA Breakers), [player_tooltip player_id='65819' first='Ava' last='Sherrer'] (San Diego Surf), [player_tooltip player_id='78359' first='Soraya' last='Souvanaphong'] (San Diego Surf), Vailana Tu'ua (Beach FC), [player_tooltip player_id='54207' first='Alexis' last='Valderrama'] (Albion SC), [player_tooltip player_id='54271' first='Viviana' last='Zacarias'] (Slammers FC Koge)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talent ID Center Staff&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marieke Laurens, Gina Brewer, Robert Gallo, Lindsey Jalayer, Victoria Boardman&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->