PrepSoccer 2024 Boys Recruiting Rankings (11-20)
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PrepSoccer is releasing the 2024 Boys Recruiting Rankings this week and next. The list for 30-21 came out on Wednesday. Check out that article here. Below is the 20-11 in the rankings. The final installment (10-1) will be released on…
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Continue ReadingPrepSoccer is releasing the 2024 Boys Recruiting Rankings this week and next. The list for 30-21 came out on Wednesday. Check out that article here. Below is the 20-11 in the rankings.
The final installment (10-1) will be released on Monday.
11. Princeton
Verbal commitments (as of August 22): #50 Roka Tsunehara Roka Tsunehara F #55 Nation CA (San Jose Earthquakes), #51 Dash Papez Dash Papez D Potomac | 2024 #56 Nation VA (DC United), #92 Cyrus Klinenberg Cyrus Klinenberg null | F #93 Nation NY (Met Oval)
This is a stellar class. Three players who have been highly successful at the highest levels of the youth game. There is a great mix here too. Dash Papez Dash Papez D Potomac | 2024 #56 Nation VA is a defender from DC United. Plays as a center back but also has the versatility to slide out wide if needed. Roka Tsunehara Roka Tsunehara F #55 Nation CA is a creative attacking player. He does well in tight spaces with his technical footwork and close ball control. He can tuck in and play through the center or even hang out on the wing and exploit outside backs in 1v1 situations. He was the MLS Next Cup U16 MVP in 2022. His level has only gotten better since then. Cyrus Klinenberg Cyrus Klinenberg null | F #93 Nation NY is a prolific scorer in MLS Next. The forward has proven time and again to be one of best in MLS Next. These are three players that should contribute early in their college careers.
12. Akron
Verbal commitments (as of August 22): #15 James Buebendorf (St. Louis City SC), #99 Kamden Held (Chicago Fire), Simon Guardiero Simon Guardiero D NY (Sigma FC), Brett Kaminski (Inter Miami), Josh Bartels (Crew SC)
Buebendorf is going to end up as one of the top players from this class who plays college soccer. And he is headed to Akron where they have a proven track record for developing professional players. Buebendorf is an outside back and offers a well-rounded game for the position. He has the technique and confidence on the ball to play out of pressure. He has the vision to pick out runs from his teammates. He showed last season how he can hit a variety of passes with accuracy – from the cross field switch to the grass-cutter to the full spring cross. The left back has among the highest ceilings in this class. Kamden Held is an attacking midfielder from Chicago Fire. He was a standout for that academy last season. He has a clean first touch and excellent feel for the game. He should shine in the Akron style of play.
13. Duke
Verbal commitments (as of August 22): #42 Jamie Kabuusu (New England Revolution), #58 Alex Hauschild Alex Hauschild D #61 Nation NY (NYCFC)
Kabuusu is one of the top players from the New England Revolution Academy. He led the U17 team to a quarterfinal appearance in the MLS Next Cup last season. He is a right back with the technical ability of a center midfielder. He has elite recovery pace. His athleticism shines on game film as he is incredibly difficult to get past with his defensive work rate. Hauschild has been one of the top center backs in this class for a long time. He has a key piece for the NYCFC youth teams and now he has earned some chances playing for the NYCFC II in MLS Next Pro.
14. Northwestern
Verbal commitments (as of August 22): #23 Michael Ramirez (Chicago Fire), Aidan O’Neill (FC United), #150 Luke Shreiner Luke Shreiner D Lake Highlands | 2024 TX (FC Dallas), Devin Zachry (Strikers FC)
A couple of local standouts plus some top players from Texas and California make up the class so far for Northwestern. Michael Ramirez is the top ranked player heading to Northwestern. He scored a great goal during the MLS Next Cup against Crew SC. He is a forward with an excellent technical foundation. He’s been on a rapid rise this season after taking over a prominent role with the Fire U17 group. Luke Shreiner Luke Shreiner D Lake Highlands | 2024 TX might be the other name to know from this class. The FC Dallas defender had a strong season for the academy and had a number of programs after him prior to his commitment to Northwestern.
15. Washington
Verbal commitments (as of August 22): #32 Gabe Fernandez (PAC NW), #106 Alexander Hall (Pac NW), Brecken Bowers (Crossfire Premier), Asher Hestad (Seattle United)
Washington landed one of the top players in the region with this class – as the Huskies seem to do every year. Fernandez was previously a standout for Seattle Sounders. He’s been playing for Pac NW in the Boys ECNL and Oly Town in the USL2. Fernandez was named to the Boys ECNL Conference Cup Best XI for his standout play at that event in Chula Vista this summer. Washington is getting an outside back who could step into that starting lineup tomorrow. Alex Hall and Fernandez are playing together this season on the Pac NW Boys ECNL U19 team, which should make that team one of the teams to watch in the league.
16. UC Irvine
Verbal commitments (as of August 22): #27 Marcus Lee Marcus Lee F State #28 Nation CA (Strikers), Isaiahs Gutierrez Isaiahs Gutierrez M CA (San Diego Loyal), Nikolas Pino (Strikers FC)
Marcus Lee Marcus Lee F State #28 Nation CA was a bit of surprise as the winger looked like the professional game was his pathway forward, but he is sticking with his local program and it’s a big win for the Big West team. Lee has been a key part of one of the most successful non-MLS academy teams in MLS next. His play at the youth level earned him opportunities with Cal United during the Open Cup run in previous years. He played against a number of top professionals and trained with a number of current college players. He looks ready for the next challenge. Gutierrez is another player who proved he can hang with the professional level. The youth player earned an appearance for Loyal against Borussia Dortmund during a friendly in July.
17. Clemson
Verbal commitments (as of August 22): #40 Duncan Wilson (South Carolina United FC), Vitor Geromel (Sporting Wichita), Charlie Reed Charlie Reed GK State TX (Austin FC)
Duncan Wilson is the headliner from this group. The former Charlotte FC Academy standout returned to the high school game this season, and he delivered big time for his school. Wilson was the South Carolina Gatorade State Player of the Year after scoring 38 goals and adding 13 assists. The opposing coaches game planned to stop him and he still put up those numbers. The 6-3 center forward is absolutely the type of player that Clemson can build around on the way to a run to the College Cup. Vitor Geromel might be the most interesting name on this list. The star from Sporting Wichita is a bit of an off-the-radar prospect. He signed with the first team at the club, which plays in the UPSL, as a 16-year-old so he’s been playing against college players for two years now. He is a forward/attacking midfielder who loves the game. He plays futsal too so those skills from the court should translate well to the field as time on the ball and space shrinks quickly. He is also 6-3 so Clemson definitely had a player profile type among attackers in this group.
18. Penn State
Verbal commitments (as of August 22): #68 Tyler Flowers (New England Revolution), #87 Bryce Flowers (New England Revolution)
The Penn State class is small at this point, but there is reason to believe they will be adding some top talent in the near future. The Flowers twins are outstanding players and proved that in the Boys ECNL in 2022 and then in MLS Next during the 2022/2023 season with New England Revolution. The brothers both started for the U19 team during the run to the MLS Cup Championship this summer.
19. Penn
Verbal commitments (as of August 22): #86 Marco Bottene Marco Bottene 6'0" | M Mira Costa | 2024 #86 Nation CA (Beach FC), Aidan Coffey (BW Gottschee)
This is a bit of “if you know, you know” class from Penn. They got some ballers who play with a chip on their shoulders. It’s a grittiness that should serve them well. Marco Bottene Marco Bottene 6'0" | M Mira Costa | 2024 #86 Nation CA is one of the best players in Southern California from outside of an MLS Academy. He has game-breaking qualities that have shined at both the club and high school level. Aidan Coffey is a standout keeper from the MLS Next level. He should compete early on for a role in that position at Penn.
20. South Florida
Verbal commitments (as of August 22): #40 Michael Luande (Seattle Sounders), Asher Jones (Tampa Bay United), Marcelo Mondragon (Real Monarchs)
This is an a stellar group headed to South Florida. They picked up a top target from Washington in Michael Luande. The center forward has been one of the top scorers for the Sounders academy for a number of years. The 6-1 center forward has the traits that suggest with the right coaching, he could end up being the leading scorer in college soccer in the near future. Asher Jones is a local player who has been impressive for Tampa Bay United. Jones is a right winger who is left footed. He’s a tricky player to defend because of his skill with either foot combined with his pace. Marcelo Mondragon is a defensive midfielder originally from Florida but now playing with RSL.