US Soccer identifies the top 08s in NorCal 

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As part of the scouting process for the US Youth National Teams, US Soccer hosts regional Talent Identification Centers in key markets across the country. From time to time, PrepSoccer is sent a roster from one of those events.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is one next week in Northern California - Davis - that will feature the top 2008s from the area, as identified by US Soccer. The MLS Academies in the area dominate the roster, but there are some surprises as well. Check out a scouting report on a few of the players below and the full roster at the bottom of the page.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Giancarlo Preciado&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preciado is a versatile player so it will be interesting to see how the US Soccer scouts view him for the Talent ID event. He seems to play on the right wing for Sacramento United, but he did appear at center back (left) for a recent game. It might have been out of necessity, but he looked good at center back. He is calm on the ball and plays with his head up. He has the skills to win in duels on the wing, but he could also be a weapon at outside back given his strengths defensively. He's a fascinating player to put on the radar for the future as the potential is there in a number of roles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Esli Garcia&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The De Anza Force 08 team has a few players who should be in the mix for this level. It's a talented group that plays a style of play similar to the youth national team. Garcia is the left center back. He is a ball-winner who plays simply - lots of early passes to get his midfielders touches on the ball. There is an elevated sophistication to his game, as he reads angles really well. Garcia could afford to be more aggressive on set pieces especially in aerial duels as it is a weakness for his team. If he adds that element to his game, he will be a top center back in his class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andre Erickson&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Erickson is on this roster, but he recently signed with the Colorado Rapids so he is moving out of the region. Erickson is a talented winger who should climb up the academy at Rapids as a top prospect in the 08 age group. The former Napa United standout has been playing up an age group with the 07 team. He has been a handful for outside backs this season. He has excellent control of the ball and uses body fakes well to through defenders off-balance. He has the pace to get in behind the defense. He is a good finisher and also hits in a good cross. Erickson is one to watch for the future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Micah Kwende&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The center forward for FC Bay Area Surf has been impressive this season. He is getting appearances with the older teams at the club. He is a physically dominant player. He has a tall frame and good strength. He does well in the combination play - holding off defenders and setting up give-and-go. With skill and hold-up play, Kwende is a player with a big future at the No. 9 role. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>US Soccer Talent ID - 2008 Davis, CA May 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='146418' first='Brooks' last='Doolittle'] (San Jose Earthquakes), [player_tooltip player_id='167777' first='Chance' last='Cowell'] (Sacramento Republic FC), [player_tooltip player_id='223739' first='Saul' last='Cuellar'] (Santa Rosa United), Preston Danquah-Appiah (Sacramento Republic), Kaelen Dougan (San Jose Earthquakes), Andre Erickson (Napa United), [player_tooltip player_id='80851' first='Percy' last='Escalante'] (San Jose Earthquakes), [player_tooltip player_id='7916' first='Jonah' last='Fernandez'] (MVLA), Esli Garcia (De Anza Force), [player_tooltip player_id='80854' first='Robben' last='Guevara Bran'] (San Jose Earthquakes), Nacio Gutierrez (Santa Rosa United), [player_tooltip player_id='83085' first='Aidan' last='Hendrickson'] (Sacramento Republic FC), Joshua Kreitz (Napa United), [player_tooltip player_id='47905' first='Misha' last='May'] (San Francisco Elite Academy), Giancarlo Preciado (Sacramento United Competitive), Rowan Sellers (San Francisco Glens), [player_tooltip player_id='83145' first='Luke' last='Strassburg'] (Sacramento Republic FC), [player_tooltip player_id='80853' first='Oliver' last='Tan'] (San Jose Earthquakes), [player_tooltip player_id='83127' first='Austin' last='Thum'] (Sacramento Republic FC), Jazer Umanzor Medina (San Jose Earthquakes), Sebastian Ventura Gonzalez (San Jose Earthquakes), [player_tooltip player_id='224280' first='Alex' last='Ziazadeh'] (San Jose Earthquakes), [player_tooltip player_id='83052' first='Damian' last='Linarez'] (Sacramento Republic), Nico Garzinos (MVLA), [player_tooltip player_id='223741' first='Moises' last='Farias Diaz'] (Mustang SC), Aidan DePaco (Mustang SC), Micah Kwende (FC Bay Area Surf), [player_tooltip player_id='83134' first='Kevin' last='Jimenez'] Gutierrez (San Jose Earthquakes), [player_tooltip player_id='83043' first='Felix' last='Contreras'] (Sacramento Republic FC), [player_tooltip player_id='80852' first='Mateo' last='Colmenares'] (San Jose Earthquakes)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gabriel Farfan is the Talent ID Manager&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->