US Soccer identifies the top 08s in NorCal
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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. There…
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Continue ReadingAs 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.
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.
Giancarlo Preciado
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.
Esli Garcia
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.
Andre Erickson
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.
Micah Kwende
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.
US Soccer Talent ID – 2008 Davis, CA May 2023
Brooks Doolittle Brooks Doolittle GK State #64 Nation CA (San Jose Earthquakes), Chance Cowell Chance Cowell F CA (Sacramento Republic FC), Saul Cuellar (Santa Rosa United), Preston Danquah-Appiah (Sacramento Republic), Kaelen Dougan (San Jose Earthquakes), Andre Erickson (Napa United), Percy Escalante Percy Escalante F CA (San Jose Earthquakes), Jonah Fernandez Jonah Fernandez D CA (MVLA), Esli Garcia (De Anza Force), Robben Guevara Bran Robben Guevara Bran D CA (San Jose Earthquakes), Nacio Gutierrez (Santa Rosa United), Aidan Hendrickson Aidan Hendrickson GK State CA (Sacramento Republic FC), Joshua Kreitz (Napa United), Misha May Misha May GK CA (San Francisco Elite Academy), Giancarlo Preciado (Sacramento United Competitive), Rowan Sellers (San Francisco Glens), Luke Strassburg Luke Strassburg D Elk Grove | 2026 State CA (Sacramento Republic FC), Oliver Tan Oliver Tan D State #38 Nation CA (San Jose Earthquakes), Austin Thum Austin Thum M Oak Ridge | 2026 CA (Sacramento Republic FC), Jazer Umanzor Medina (San Jose Earthquakes), Sebastian Ventura Gonzalez (San Jose Earthquakes), Alex Ziazadeh (San Jose Earthquakes), Damian Linarez Damian Linarez D State CA (Sacramento Republic), Nico Garzinos (MVLA), Moises Farias Diaz (Mustang SC), Aidan DePaco (Mustang SC), Micah Kwende (FC Bay Area Surf), Kevin Jimenez Kevin Jimenez D State #36 Nation CA Gutierrez (San Jose Earthquakes), Felix Contreras Felix Contreras D State #100 Nation CA (Sacramento Republic FC), Mateo Colmenares Mateo Colmenares M State #73 Nation CA (San Jose Earthquakes)
Gabriel Farfan is the Talent ID Manager