For the Future: Six 2028s to watch from California 

One of the most exciting players to watch in the ECNL. Buerler would’ve been one of the top midfielders in our 2027 rankings. She’s electric on the ball. She plays at a pace that makes the opposition uncomfortable. With tight control of the ball and great strength, she is one of the best dribblers in her position in this class. Buehler has been called into the US U14 Girls National Team and took part in the US Club Soccer id2 Tour in 2023. She was also on the roster for the ECNL Southwest Conference Cup Roster over the summer.

Ellis is a winger for the San Diego Surf 09 ECNL team. She is nearly impossible for defenders. Skillful, speedy, and strong, Ellis has big time potential. She’s been one of the most prolific players in the attacking third for one of the best teams in the country in that age group. She was part of the US U14 Girls National Team Talent ID West Event as well.

The Eagles SC star is one of the best players in Southern California. She plays as a center forward for the Eagles SC 2010 ECNL team. She is one of the most dynamic players in that age group. She scored some spectacular goals last season and should be in the spotlight even more during this year’s campaign. Bartlett played up an age group at the U14 GNT Talent ID West event in 2023. I believe she was one of the only 2010s who took part in that event.

Throw the superlatives out the window with Whitham. You can use pretty much any of them to describe her impact and quality. This is the type of talent that ends up as the top player in the nation in her class. The forward moved from MVLA to Slammers FC Koge in the offseason. Her introduction to the Slammers Koge 09 team came during Surf Cup at the end of July when she scored six goals and had four assists in three games while playing up an age group. Whitham is different than most prospects and the drive to be the best is absolutely there. Her ability to score with either foot from outside of the 18-yard box is obviously one of the aspects that stands out from her game. There just aren’t that many youth players who strike a ball that well consistently during the run of the game. The most impressive attribute she brings though is her desire for more. She is a non-stop player – both in training and in the game. There is no easy day when Whitham is on the field and that is the key to her rapid ascension.

Huff was a player who stood out from the Santa Rosa 09 game film. She is a midfielder who looked confident on the ball. She is a hustler. She works hard for every opportunity to give her team an advantage. The way she uses her body to shield players really stands out. She isn’t the biggest player on the field, but she plays like she is at times with how she uses her frame. Huff is quick on the ball and makes key passes reguarly for her side.

The MVLA center back looked every bit as good as the best center backs from the 2027 class. She is aggressive at the point of attack, willing to put in a challenge, and showed excellent technique in duels. She is a weapon on set pieces and target for her side on corner kicks. Miller likes to be the last line of defense and her side trusts her in that role because she’s smart and competitive. Miller is an asset in the possession side of the game too. She’s good on the ball and has excellent vision. She’s projected to be one of the best center backs in the 2028 class.