New names to know from PA 2026 class
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The PrepSoccer state rankings for Pennsylvania’s 2026 class were released last week. Check out the rankings here. Learn more about our ranking process here. The Union Academy is obviously the target for the top players in this class. Philadelphia Union…
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Continue ReadingThe PrepSoccer state rankings for Pennsylvania’s 2026 class were released last week. Check out the rankings here. Learn more about our ranking process here.
The Union Academy is obviously the target for the top players in this class. Philadelphia Union is one of the top development pathways for youth players in the United States and regularly contributes multiple players to the youth national team. The club also recruits players from all over the state and country to join – so players from other states will appear in these rankings because PrepSoccer uses the player’s club team’s location for the state ranking.
Union is not the only shining example in this class though. FC Delco has been terrific in the 2008 age group – albeit a few of those top players are part of the 2027 group – and some other clubs have also contributed some promising prospects.
Check out the scouting report on some of the names to know from this class below.
rnCenter forward. Relatively new addition to the Union academy. He is originally from Florida and had interest from academies at top clubs all over the world. He has been a bright spot for the Union U15 MLS Next team. His combination play with the talented wingers on the Union Academy has been really impressive. He is a top No. 9 in this class in the country.
rn
Stands out at the MLS Next U15 level. Plays as a defensive midfielder. Sees a lot of the ball for his team. He is always working to receive the next pass. He tends to play in the direction he is facing and he can force a pass while being too direct. He has the skill and quality on the ball to be a key contributor at the MLS Next level up a couple of age groups.
Commins is listed as a forward/defender on his highlight reel. I saw him play as a center forward. He is pretty good in that role, but it is easy to see why a coach would want to use him as a center back too. He is a good target option. He can bring the ball down under pressure. He has the strength to hold off defenders. He has enough pace to put away chances when he is in a 1v1 situation.
Highlights
Attacking. Right-footed. Getting opportunities to play up an age group in MLS Next. Type of player that a coach will just give free role to and watch him cook the opposition. He is slicing apart defenses with his passing and his dribbling. He’s a different level of player than most in this age group. Smooth on the ball, confident in his movement, and decisive in the final third. Impactful player for Delco. Key piece of the successful season so far.
Box-to-box. Stood out for his defensive qualities. Strong in the tackle, good slide tackle technique. Plays at a high level for Futsal too. Not the biggest player on the field, but he plays like it. No fear in his game.
I believe he goes by Jude Clymer, but listed on the roster as Ryan Clymer Ryan Clymer M State PA . Big, strong kid. Immediately stands out on the soccer field while playing with the 07 age group (mostly 2025s) in the Boys ECNL. He plays as a box-to-box midfielder. He is similar to Peter Doran Peter Doran M State #34 Nation PA in player profile. He runs through tackles. Good passer. Comfortable playing out of pressure. Offers something in the final third – been contributing assists and goals this year in Boys ECNL. Should be a top prospect for the college game from this class.
Left-footed. Seems like there is a lack of true left footed players in this class. Some of the better ones in the 08 age group are 2027s, which makes Uglow, who is an 07 kind of a rare prospect. Our scouts have been seen him play left back and left center back. I think he is better at center back. He can organize the defense and utilize his passing to find the feet of midfielders. He is capable of hitting a 40-yard ball down the line with ease.
Highlights
Another left center back in the rankings. Clark plays up a couple of age groups at the club level so he can get lost in the shuffle among 2026s, but he deserves his time in the spotlight. He should be getting plenty of attention after receiving an invite to the National ODP team for Dallas Cup next month. He has physical traits that jump off the screen. He is probably one of the strongest players in this class. He can launch a throw-in from touch line to the center of the field with ease. He tends to play a bit safe defensively – almost too conservative, which could be a case of him play against older players. It would be nice to see him have a bit more aggression defensively and take more control of that aspect of the game.
Really productive freshman season. Clever player. He sees and understands the game really well for his age. Makes intelligent runs and often makes the right pass in possession. He was a key player for his high school side and earned postseason honors for his contributions.
Saidi is a top attacking talent in the country. He is already part of the Youth National Team for this age group. He has the game-breaking ability to play on the wing, but he has been playing as a support striker for the Union U15 MLS Next team.
There was a discussion about Doran as the top player in this class from Pennsylvania. He’s had a bright start to 2023. The center midfielder has earned appearances with the Union U17 MLS Next team, which is a big jump in speed of player and quality of competition. He has fit in well with that group. He is a big kid for his age group. He is also a really smart player. He is one to watch among the group who haven’t been with the youth national team yet.